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Tennis player Björn Borg spotted wearing Rolex

Björn Borg has been photographed wearing a vintage Rolex Day-Date reference 11838 in 18k yellow gold, complete with a fluted bezel and a black leather strap — a combination that immediately signals a knowledgeable collector rather than a default President-bracelet choice. The leather strap configuration gives this particular Day-Date a decidedly dressy, almost Continental character that suits Borg's long-cultivated post-tennis image as a European style figure.

The Rolex Day-Date ref. 11838 belongs to the broader Day-Date family introduced in 1956 — the first wristwatch to display both the date and the full day of the week spelled out in full, in a window at 12 o'clock. The reference 11838 is the 36mm yellow gold case variant within the fourth-generation Day-Date lineup, powered by the Rolex Calibre 3155 — a self-winding movement with 31 jewels, a Glucydur balance wheel, and a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. The fluted bezel on this reference is machined directly into the gold case, adding both visual texture and structural integrity.

Among collectors, the Day-Date ref. 11838 occupies a sweet spot: it carries genuine vintage provenance without having yet reached the astronomical premiums of earlier references like the 1802 or 1803. The leather strap variant is notably less common than the President bracelet configuration, making it a more distinctive find at auction or through specialist dealers. Grey-market pricing currently hovers around $22,000 USD, reflecting steady demand from both Rolex completists and entry-level vintage luxury buyers.

Björn Borg needs little introduction in the context of sporting greatness. Between 1974 and 1981, the Swede won six French Open titles and five consecutive Wimbledon championships — records that stood for decades. He was the first player in the Open Era to reach 11 Grand Slam singles titles, and his ice-cold composure on court became as legendary as his topspin forehand. His cultural footprint extended well beyond tennis, and his collaboration with Fila helped define the aesthetic of 1970s sport.

For a man of Borg's stature, the Rolex Day-Date ref. 11838 is a fitting choice — historically significant, restrained in its luxury, and precise in its execution. At current grey-market values around $22,000, it remains one of the more accessible entries into genuine vintage Rolex gold dress-watch territory.