Watch Paparazzi

Politician Jejomar Binay spotted wearing Rolex

The sighting comes during what appears to be a campaign event, where Jejomar Binay — 13th Vice President of the Philippines and longtime figure in Philippine politics — was photographed embracing a supporter. Visible on his left wrist is a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, the gold case and President bracelet catching the available light even in the candid, close-quarters shot. The watch's presence at a grassroots political event is itself a statement, intentional or otherwise.

The watch presents all the hallmarks of the Day-Date reference 18238, produced from 1988 to 2000 and representing the evolution of the Day-Date line into its modern idiom. The 36mm case is crafted entirely in 18k yellow gold, paired with a fluted bezel — one of two standard options alongside the smooth bezel. The dial is champagne, fitted with applied baton hour markers and Roman numeral chapter ring, with the signature day aperture at 12 o'clock and date window at 3. Powering the watch is the Calibre 3155, a 27-jewel automatic movement with an independent linear quick-set for both day and date — a meaningful technical upgrade over its predecessor, the 3055.

The Day-Date 18238 occupies a sweet spot in the collector market: old enough to carry genuine vintage gravitas, modern enough to wear daily without reservation. Its President bracelet — exclusive to Day-Date and Lady-Datejust — remains one of the most recognizable bracelets in horology, with its three-piece semi-circular links offering a comfort and visual weight that the Jubilee and Oyster simply do not replicate in gold.

For a politician of Binay's stature and tenure, the Day-Date is a coherent choice. Since its 1956 debut, the model has been associated with presidents, prime ministers, and power brokers across continents. Binay served as Mayor of Makati for over two decades before ascending to the Vice Presidency under Benigno Aquino III from 2010 to 2016. The watch, valued locally at approximately 800,000 PHP, sits comfortably within the grey market range for this reference.

On the secondary market, a well-preserved 18238 with original dial and bracelet commands strong prices. Collector demand for full-yellow-gold Day-Dates from this era has appreciated steadily, driven by renewed interest in 'full-gold' sports-luxury pieces and the enduring cachet of the President bracelet configuration.