Watch Paparazzi

Footballer James Rodriguez spotted wearing Rolex

James Rodríguez, the Colombian playmaker celebrated for his vision and technique during stints at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton, was spotted wearing the Rolex Sky-Dweller ref. 326938 — a 42mm full 18k yellow gold model paired with a champagne dial and Oyster bracelet. The sighting adds another serious piece to a wrist portfolio that befits one of South American football's most technically gifted players.

The Sky-Dweller ref. 326938 is among the most mechanically ambitious watches Rolex produces. Beneath its 42mm yellow gold Oyster case, the in-house calibre 9001 operates at 28,800 vph with a 72-hour power reserve. The movement integrates three core complications: an annual calendar that distinguishes between 30- and 31-day months automatically, a dual time zone display via an off-centre 24-hour disc, and Rolex's patented Saros annual calendar module. Setting is handled through the Ring Command bezel — a system that links the rotating bezel directly to the crown, allowing the wearer to switch between functions without additional pushers.

First introduced in 2012, the Sky-Dweller was positioned as Rolex's grand complication for the jet-setting professional. The ref. 326938 in yellow gold with a champagne dial represents the range's most opulent expression, combining precious metal throughout — case, bracelet, and dial — with a warm, cohesive aesthetic that rewards close inspection. The fluted Jubilee-pattern dial texture catches light in ways that photographs rarely fully capture.

Among collectors, the Sky-Dweller occupies an interesting position: long underappreciated relative to the Daytona or GMT-Master II, it has steadily gained respect as enthusiasts better understand the engineering behind the calibre 9001. The yellow gold Oyster bracelet variant, in particular, is recognized as the most coherent visual statement in the line.

For Rodríguez — widely considered the spiritual successor to Carlos Valderrama in Colombian football — the Sky-Dweller ref. 326938 is a fitting choice. A watch built on precision, dual functionality, and effortless elegance suits a player whose career has spanned continents. Retail is set at $46,150 USD, with grey-market values tracking closely given the model's steady demand.