Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Gianluigi Donnarumma spotted wearing Rolex

Gianluigi Donnarumma was photographed wearing a Rolex Submariner Date 41mm white gold in reference 126619LB at his Paris Saint-Germain contract signing event — a moment that marked one of the most discussed free transfers in modern football history, coming just days after he was named Player of the Tournament at UEFA EURO 2020. The shot captures him leaning over a PSG jersey, pen in hand, the distinctive blue bezel glinting clearly on his left wrist.

The Rolex Submariner Date 126619LB is the top of the Submariner hierarchy. Introduced in its current 41mm iteration as part of the 2020 overhaul that updated the entire Submariner family, the ref. 126619LB houses Rolex's in-house Calibre 3235 — a 70-hour power reserve movement with the Chronergy escapement, offering a claimed +2/-2 seconds per day precision. The case and bracelet are rendered entirely in 18k white gold, paired with a unidirectional rotating bezel set with a blue Cerachrom ceramic insert. The black lacquered dial contrasts dramatically against the cool metallic case, and the Oyster bracelet incorporates the Glidelock clasp for diver-ready adjustability.

Collectors have nicknamed this reference the 'Smurf' — a moniker earned by its all-white-gold construction and vivid blue bezel. It sits in a different bracket from the steel Submariners entirely: waitlists at authorised dealers are effectively non-existent because the piece commands immediate attention. It is widely regarded as the most wearable of Rolex's precious-metal sport watches, crossing the line between dive tool and formal accessory with unusual ease.

Donnarumma's choice of the 126619LB is consistent with the watch preferences of elite European footballers who favour understated luxury over more ostentatious complications. At 22 at the time of this sighting, he was already one of the highest-paid goalkeepers in the world. The Submariner's clean, legible aesthetic and its association with performance and resilience track well with his professional identity.

At a retail price of $39,050 USD, the 126619LB already occupies premium territory. On the secondary market, grey-market prices have hovered between $46,000 and $50,000 USD, reflecting steady demand and the relative scarcity of white gold production. For collectors, this reference represents a long-term hold with strong fundamentals.