Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Shkodran Mustafi spotted wearing Rolex

Shkodran Mustafi, the Germany international and Arsenal centre-back, was recently photographed wearing an 18kt yellow gold Rolex Sky-Dweller reference 326938 — one of the most technically ambitious and visually commanding references in the current Rolex catalogue. The sighting is a reminder that top-tier footballers increasingly gravitate toward watches with genuine mechanical substance rather than purely decorative status pieces.

The Rolex Sky-Dweller ref. 326938 is built around the calibre 9001, a self-winding movement that took Rolex several years to develop and remains among the most sophisticated movements the brand has ever released. It features an annual calendar — a complication that automatically distinguishes between 30- and 31-day months, requiring only one manual correction per year, in February — alongside a dual time zone indication displayed via an off-centre 24-hour disc. The patented Saros ring-command bezel, unique to Rolex, allows the wearer to toggle between three functional modes (time setting, local time, and annual calendar) by rotating a single bezel. The 42mm case in 18kt yellow gold is paired here with a matching Oyster bracelet, giving the watch a boldly monochromatic presence on the wrist.

First introduced in 2012 at Baselworld, the Sky-Dweller was positioned as Rolex's most complication-rich wristwatch and was aimed squarely at frequent travellers and collectors who wanted intellectual depth alongside Swiss prestige. The ref. 326938 in solid yellow gold represents the upper tier of the Sky-Dweller range, sitting above steel and Rolesor variants in both price and desirability. Among collectors, the Sky-Dweller has taken time to build its audience — initially viewed as oversized and complex — but has gained considerable respect as appreciation for the calibre 9001 has grown.

Mustafi, who has represented both Arsenal and the German national team at the highest level, has demonstrated consistent interest in high-end horology. The choice of the ref. 326938 over a more conventional Rolex Datejust or Submariner suggests a collector rather than a casual buyer — someone drawn to mechanical complication and the prestige of all-precious-metal construction.

The Rolex Sky-Dweller ref. 326938 in 18kt yellow gold carries a UK list price of approximately £33,950. On the grey market, demand for solid gold Sky-Dweller references remains firm, with secondary prices typically trading at or modestly above retail, reflecting steady but not speculative collector interest.