Watch Paparazzi

Television presenter Ellen spotted wearing Rolex

Ellen DeGeneres was recently photographed wearing the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 in 18k Everose gold, reference 116655 — a model that commands attention among collectors for reasons that go well beyond its rose-tinted case metal.

Introduced at Baselworld 2015, the Yacht-Master 116655 broke new ground by being the first Rolex to ship exclusively on the Oysterflex bracelet. That black elastomer strap, reinforced with a titanium and nickel alloy blade and finished with a satin-brushed Everose gold folding Oysterlock clasp, replaced the traditional Oyster or Jubilee link — a deliberate statement that Rolex was serious about modern sports-watch design. The 40mm case in 18k Everose, Rolex's corrosion-resistant proprietary rose gold alloy, houses a bidirectional rotatable bezel in the same metal, set with a raised minute scale. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres, adequate for the sailing lifestyle the name implies.

Beneath the warm-toned sunray-brushed dial, the Rolex Calibre 3135 automatic movement runs at 28,800 vph with a Parachrom hairspring, offering approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The movement holds COSC chronometer certification and Rolex's own rigorous Superlative Chronometer standard, guaranteeing accuracy to ±2 seconds per day. The date window at 3 o'clock is fitted with a Cyclops lens — functional and immediately recognisable.

Among collectors, the 116655 occupies a niche that is simultaneously accessible and exclusive. It is a full precious-metal sports Rolex without the size or price ceiling of the Daytona or the Day-Date, making it one of the more attainable entries into the Everose catalogue. Its Oysterflex bracelet gives it a sportier, less formal posture than the yellow-gold or white-gold references, attracting buyers who want luxury metal with everyday versatility.

Ellen DeGeneres, known for a relaxed, California-rooted aesthetic, is an appropriate custodian for the 116655. The watch suits a presenter who could easily reach for a diamond-set dial but opts instead for the clean, purposeful read of a sports complication. On the secondary market, the reference trades close to or slightly above retail, reflecting steady demand and Rolex's perennial supply constraints.