Entrepreneur Philipp Plein spotted wearing a Rolex

Philipp Plein, the German-born fashion entrepreneur known for his maximalist aesthetic and provocative brand identity, was recently spotted wearing a Rolex Day-Date 40 in 18K Everose gold with a chocolate dial — reference 228235. The combination of warm rose gold and the deep brown dial creates one of the most cohesive, understated pairings in the Day-Date 40 catalogue, a contrast to Plein's typically louder personal style but a clear signal of serious horological taste.

The Rolex Day-Date 40 ref. 228235 was introduced as part of the generation refresh in 2015, enlarging the classic Day-Date from 36mm to 40mm and bringing with it the all-new Calibre 3255 movement. That movement is a landmark for Rolex: it features a Chronergy escapement co-developed with LVMH's movement supplier but refined entirely in-house, a blue Parachrom hairspring, and a 70-hour power reserve — a substantial upgrade over the previous Calibre 3155. The movement is COSC-certified and meets Rolex's own Superlative Chronometer standard of ±2 seconds per day. The 40mm Oyster case is crafted entirely in Rolex's proprietary Everose gold, an 18K rose gold alloy the brand developed in 2005 to resist fading over time.

The Day-Date carries genuine historical weight. Introduced in 1956, it was the first wristwatch to display both the date and the full day of the week spelled out, and it has been associated with heads of state, business leaders, and cultural figures ever since. The 228235 chocolate dial variant sits comfortably within that tradition — brown and chocolate dials have enjoyed a significant collector renaissance since the early 2000s, when vintage examples commanded premiums that signalled a broader shift in taste away from white and silver dials.

For Plein, whose eponymous brand generates revenues in excess of €250 million annually and whose personal image is closely tied to visible luxury, the Day-Date 40 is a logical centrepiece. It is a watch that communicates achievement without requiring explanation — a quality that resonates with Plein's core brand values.

On the secondary market, the Rolex Day-Date 40 ref. 228235 in Everose gold with a chocolate dial trades at a meaningful premium over its already substantial retail price. With a UK list price of approximately £31,450, grey-market examples in unworn condition regularly surface between $42,000 and $48,000 USD depending on bracelet choice and dial configuration, reflecting sustained demand for precious-metal Day-Date references across global markets.