Footballer Ilkay Gundogan spotted wearing a Rolex

Ilkay Gündoğan's downtime wardrobe — plaid joggers, Adidas socks, knit runners — would suggest a man deliberately avoiding spectacle. The Rolex Datejust 41 Wimbledon two-tone on his wrist tells a slightly different story: considered, classically rooted, and worth every bit as much attention as his playmaking on the pitch.

The reference 126333 Datejust 41 made its debut at Baselworld 2016, retiring the long-running 116333 and introducing Rolex's in-house calibre 3235 — a movement that brought a 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and a Superlative Chronometer rating of ±2 seconds per day. The case measures 41 mm in Oystersteel, while the fluted bezel and alternating Jubilee bracelet links are rendered in 18-carat yellow gold. It is a combination Rolex has refined across decades, and the 126333 represents its most technically accomplished iteration to date.

The 'Wimbledon' dial configuration — officially described by Rolex as slate grey with green Roman numerals — arrived as a Datejust 41 option around 2021 and immediately captured collector attention. The grey-green interplay references the chalk-and-grass aesthetic of SW19, lending the watch a subtle sporting identity that goes well beyond typical naming conventions. The applied Roman indices are lacquered green at specific hour positions, creating an almost monochromatic restraint that rewards close inspection. Combined with the date window at three o'clock and a clean sunray-brushed finish, the dial is a study in disciplined design.

Gündoğan has long been associated with intelligence — both footballing and sartorial. The former Manchester City captain, who lifted six Premier League titles and the Champions League with Pep Guardiola's side before moving to FC Barcelona and later returning to City, carries a reputation for calm authority that mirrors the temperament of this watch. The Datejust 41 Wimbledon is neither flashy nor retiring — it occupies precisely that middle ground.

On the grey market, the 126333 Wimbledon commands a meaningful premium over its retail list price, reflecting sustained collector demand for the dial variant. Buyers prepared to pay list still face boutique waiting periods. As sports celebrities increasingly opt for nuanced references over overt statement pieces, Gündoğan's choice confirms the Wimbledon Datejust 41 as the thinking fan's luxury sports watch.