Footballer Sergio Ramos spotted wearing a Rolex

Sergio Ramos, the former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain defender widely regarded as one of the greatest central backs in football history, has been photographed wearing the Rolex Submariner 'Smurf' — reference 116619LB — a watch that carries considerably more horological weight than its playful nickname might suggest.

The Rolex Submariner 116619LB was introduced in 2008 as part of the brand's broader adoption of Cerachrom ceramic bezels, replacing the earlier aluminum insert on the white gold Submariner ref. 116619. What makes the 116619LB singular within the Submariner lineup is its exclusive use of 18k white gold for both the 40mm case and the integrated Oyster bracelet — no steel variant of this watch exists. The vivid blue dial features applied hour markers filled with Chromalight luminescent material, and the watch is water-resistant to 300 metres. Inside runs the Rolex calibre 3135, a self-winding movement with a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, certified chronometer by the COSC, offering approximately 48 hours of power reserve.

Among collectors, the Smurf occupies a respected tier. It delivers the classic Submariner silhouette in a precious metal configuration that remains tasteful rather than ostentatious — a difficult balance to strike. The all-blue monochromatic dial-and-bezel combination, achieved thanks to the consistent ceramic Cerachrom insert, gives the 116619LB a coherence that the earlier lacquer-dial references couldn't fully match. It is frequently cited alongside the 'Hulk' and the 'Kermit' as one of the essential nickname references in the modern Submariner canon.

Ramos has long been known as a committed watch collector, regularly photographed with high-end references from Rolex and other prestigious maisons. His choice of the 116619LB reflects a collector sensibility — this is not a watch purchased for logo visibility alone, but one chosen for its material specification and place within Rolex's catalogue hierarchy.

The Rolex Submariner 116619LB was discontinued in 2020 when Rolex transitioned the Submariner line to the updated 41mm ref. 126619LB. That generational shift has added retrospective desirability to the 116619LB on the secondary market, where prices have remained firm and consistently above retail.