Watch Paparazzi

Singer Jason Derulo spotted wearing Rolex

Jason Derulo arrived at the 89th Academy Awards in Hollywood in February 2017 cutting a sharp figure on the red carpet, and sharp-eyed observers noted the timepiece on his wrist: a custom diamond-set Rolex Datejust, identified as a reference 16019, dripping with after-market stone setting across the case and presenting a classic Roman numeral dial on an Oyster bracelet. It was precisely the kind of bold horological statement that defines celebrity watch culture at major award ceremonies.

The Rolex Datejust ref. 16019 is a historically significant piece within the Datejust family. Produced from approximately 1977 to 1988, it was notably the first Datejust offered in 18k white gold, measuring 36mm and running on Rolex's cal. 3035 — a self-winding movement with a quick-set date mechanism at the 3 o'clock position, a genuinely important advancement for the era. The fluted bezel was standard on white gold references, and the dial options were extensive, including the Roman numeral configuration seen on Derulo's example. It represented Rolex at its most formal and architecturally refined during the late quartz-crisis period.

Among collectors, the ref. 16019 occupies a respectable but understated position. It is prized by purists for its case proportions, the quality of the cal. 3035 movement, and its status as a transitional reference that predates the more common cal. 3135-equipped 16234. Original examples in unmodified condition attract discerning buyers; heavily customised pieces like Derulo's — with third-party diamond setting covering the case — occupy a separate, entertainment-industry-driven market tier entirely.

Derulo, the chart-topping R&B and pop artist known for global hits including "Want to Want Me" and "Talk Dirty," has established himself as a consistent presence in celebrity watch culture, favouring statement pieces that telegraph success without subtlety. His choice of a vintage Rolex platform — rather than a contemporary luxury sports reference — demonstrates an awareness of underlying horological pedigree, even when the finished aesthetic is maximalist.

On the grey market, unmodified Rolex Datejust ref. 16019 examples in white gold typically trade in a moderate range relative to modern Rolex references. Custom diamond versions are essentially bespoke luxury objects; their market value is dictated by stone quality and provenance rather than standard secondary-market dynamics, making meaningful price comparison with stock examples difficult.