Tennis player Vijay Amritraj spotted wearing a Rolex

Vijay Amritraj, spotted in a relaxed setting, is wearing a Rolex Day-Date 36 reference 118238 in 18k yellow gold — a watch that carries considerably more history on its case than its restrained champagne dial might initially suggest. The combination of solid gold construction, fluted bezel, and the signature President bracelet places this squarely in Rolex's most prestigious civilian line.

The Day-Date ref. 118238 is built around Rolex's in-house Calibre 3155, a self-winding movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 48-hour power reserve. It incorporates a Parachrom hairspring for shock and temperature resistance, and the day display advances instantaneously at midnight — a detail that separates it from lesser complications. The 36mm case diameter, often perceived as modest by modern standards, is actually the Day-Date's original and historically correct size, worn by statesmen and heads of state since the reference's debut in 1956.

The 118238 reference ran from approximately 2000 to 2015, bridging the gap between the earlier 18238 and the current 128238. Among collectors, it occupies a sweet spot: modern enough for reliable daily wear, yet absent from current production, which gives it a degree of scarcity without the volatility of older vintage references. The champagne dial variant, in particular, ages beautifully and is regarded as one of the most timeless dial configurations in the Day-Date lineup.

Amritraj's connection to this watch feels fitting. The Chennai-born tennis player reached a career-high singles ranking of 18 in the world, represented India in Davis Cup for over two decades, and was awarded the Padma Shri — India's fourth-highest civilian honour — in 1983. He later built a second career as a widely respected television commentator. The Day-Date has long been associated with individuals who operate at the intersection of achievement and public life, and Amritraj qualifies on both counts.

On the secondary market, the Rolex Day-Date 36 ref. 118238 with a champagne dial trades in the range of $18,500 USD — a relatively accessible entry point for a solid gold Rolex Day-Date, and a reflection of the 36mm format's more measured demand compared to the 40mm Day-Date II. For buyers who value heritage over size, it remains a sound acquisition.