Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Karim Benzema spotted wearing Rolex

Karim Benzema, the French striker whose trophy cabinet includes a UEFA Champions League winners' medal and a Ballon d'Or, was photographed on the wrist with one of Rolex's most recognisable luxury dive watches — the Submariner Date 116619LB, popularly known as the 'Smurf' among collectors for its all-blue aesthetic.

The Rolex Submariner Date 116619LB is constructed entirely in 18k white gold, setting it dramatically apart from the ubiquitous stainless steel references. Its 40mm Oyster case houses the calibre 3135 automatic movement — a self-winding workhorse beating at 28,800 vph with approximately 48 hours of power reserve, chronometer-certified by COSC. The deep blue Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert, introduced progressively across the Submariner range during the mid-2000s, offers near-scratch-proof durability and UV resistance. The matching blue dial features Rolex's signature Mercedes hands and luminous Chromalight hour markers, with a date complication at three o'clock framed by a cyclops lens.

The 116619LB entered production in 2008 and was retired in September 2020 when Rolex unveiled the updated 41mm generation — the 126619LB — as part of a wholesale Submariner refresh. That discontinuation crystallised collector interest in the outgoing reference almost immediately. The 'Smurf' had always commanded a premium over its steel siblings, but the combination of precious metal construction, a closed production chapter, and enduring aesthetic appeal has made the 116619LB a genuine market mover.

Benzema has long cultivated a reputation as a serious watch enthusiast, with his collection spanning Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet alongside Rolex. The Submariner Date 116619LB, despite its considerable price point, represents one of the more restrained choices in his known rotation — a watch that reads as effortlessly luxurious without demanding attention in the room.

At retail, the 116619LB carried a list price of approximately $38,550 USD before its discontinuation. On the current grey market, demand for closed references in precious metal continues to push values above retail, with clean examples in full set regularly trading between $42,000 and $48,000 USD depending on condition and provenance.