Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Christopher Wallace The Notorious BIG spotted wearing Rolex

Brooklyn-born rapper Christopher Wallace, known worldwide as The Notorious B.I.G., was photographed here wearing a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date with a striking lapis lazuli dial — one of the most visually arresting stone dial variants the Geneva manufacturer ever fitted to its flagship dress watch. The image captures Biggie in his signature larger-than-life style, the gold President bracelet catching light beneath what appears to be a leather jacket bearing the '5001 Flavors' insignia of his stylist crew.

The reference most consistent with what is visible here is the Rolex Day-Date 18038, produced from approximately 1978 to 1990 in 18-karat yellow gold. The 36mm case houses the calibre 3055 movement — a 27-jewel automatic with a bespoke day-of-week disc mechanism, officially chronometer-certified to COSC standards. The fluted bezel, yellow gold President bracelet with concealed crown-clasp, and the characteristic Day-Date dual aperture layout at 12 o'clock (day) and 3 o'clock (date) are all consistent with this generation. The lapis lazuli dial shows the deep, uniform blue with natural mineral variation characteristic of genuine stone dials — not applied lacquer.

From a collector's perspective, lapis lazuli Day-Date references occupy a distinct tier. Stone dials — alongside onyx, tiger's eye, and malachite — were Rolex's statement that the Day-Date existed beyond conventional watchmaking. Lapis examples in yellow gold are particularly sought after because the colour contrast between the 18k case and the cobalt blue dial is visually definitive. Condition of the stone dial is paramount at auction; chips or fading significantly affect value.

Biggie's relationship with luxury jewellery and watches was well-documented throughout his career in the mid-1990s. His aesthetic — gold, weight, and visibility — aligned naturally with the Day-Date's identity as a watch historically worn by heads of state and business leaders. On Wallace, it read as hard-won success made tangible.

On today's grey market, yellow gold Day-Date references with lapis lazuli dials in honest condition trade in the $18,000–$25,000 range depending on dial integrity and bracelet stretch. A fully serviced example with original box and papers commands a meaningful premium. For a watch tied to one of rap's most enduring figures, provenance only adds to the story.