Watch Paparazzi

Actor Will Arnett spotted wearing Rolex

Will Arnett made a quiet but unmistakable horological statement at what appears to be a Vanity Fair Oscar Party, slipping on a Rolex Submariner Date 'Smurf' — reference 116619LB — beneath the cuff of a slim-cut navy tuxedo. It is the kind of watch choice that rewards those who look closely: understated in silhouette, expensive in every detail.

The 116619LB is the white gold iteration of Rolex's iconic 40mm Submariner Date, introduced in 2008 alongside the steel-and-yellow-gold 'Bluesy' (116613LB). Its defining features are the 18k white gold Oyster case and integrated Oyster bracelet, a vivid blue Cerachrom ceramic unidirectional bezel with 60-minute graduations, and a matching blue dial with applied luminous hour markers and Mercedes hands. Water resistance is rated to 300 metres. Power comes from the in-house Calibre 3135 — a perpetual rotor automatic with Rolex's Parachrom hairspring, offering roughly 48 hours of power reserve and COSC chronometer certification. The date window sits at 3 o'clock beneath a cyclops lens.

Among collectors, the 116619LB occupies a specific and coveted niche. It is one of only two full-precious-metal Submariner references (the other being the yellow gold 116618LB), which positions it firmly in luxury territory while retaining the tool-watch DNA that makes the Submariner universally legible. The white gold and blue combination reads as both sportive and formal — a duality that few watches of any price manage convincingly. Grey-market premiums have historically been modest relative to steel references, given the higher entry price, but demand remains consistent among serious collectors.

Arnett has long demonstrated an understated approach to personal style, favouring classic tailoring over fashion-forward choices. The 'Smurf' fits that sensibility precisely — it is not a watch that announces itself loudly, yet anyone who knows Rolex recognises immediately what sits on the wrist. The sourcing attribution to Diamonds East, a Florida-based dealer affiliated with the Mondani network, suggests Arnett acquired the piece through authorised secondary channels.

At retail, the 116619LB lists at approximately $38,550 USD. On the grey market, well-maintained examples with box and papers trade between $38,000 and $44,000 depending on condition and service history — a relatively narrow spread that reflects stable, long-term collector confidence in the reference.