Footballer Paolo Maldini spotted wearing a Rolex

Paolo Maldini, the man who made defending look like an art form across 25 seasons at AC Milan, was recently spotted wearing a Rolex Datejust II reference 116334-SLVDO — a steel sports-elegant piece that balances understated luxury with genuine technical substance, much like the man himself.

The Datejust II was Rolex's 41mm interpretation of its most iconic line, produced between roughly 2009 and 2016 before being retired in favour of the restyled Datejust 41. Reference 116334 sits in steel with a fluted bezel — historically a white-gold-only feature that Rolex eventually extended to steel — paired here with a silver dial set with diamond hour markers. The case is Oystersteel, water-resistant to 100 metres, and fitted on an Oyster bracelet with the Easylink extension system. Inside runs the Calibre 3136, a movement unique to the Datejust II, featuring Rolex's proprietary Parachrom blue hairspring for superior shock and temperature resistance, beating at 28,800 vph with an approximately 48-hour power reserve.

Collectors regard the 116334 with growing affection precisely because it is discontinued. The Datejust II occupied a specific niche — larger than a classic Datejust but without the sports-tool DNA of the Submariner or GMT-Master — and it found a loyal audience among those who wanted presence on the wrist without overt complication. The diamond-dial variant adds a layer of personalisation that Rolex traditionally reserves for its Datejust range, keeping it dressy without veering into jewellery-watch territory.

Maldini needs little introduction. Eleven Serie A titles, five European Cups, one Ballon d'Or bronze, and the captain's armband at San Siro for over a decade — "Il Capitano" is a title he earned by example rather than volume. Post-retirement, he served as AC Milan's technical director, remaining synonymous with the club's identity. His watch choices have consistently reflected a taste for classic references worn with quiet confidence.

On the market, the Rolex Datejust II 116334 with diamond dial carries an official retail of $10,150 USD. Grey-market pricing on this discontinued reference has firmed, with clean examples trading between $11,000 and $13,500 depending on box, papers, and dial condition — a modest but steady premium over list that reflects its discontinued status and enduring appeal.