Entrepreneur Gianni Versace spotted wearing a Rolex

In a 1985 photograph, Gianni Versace — then at the height of building his fashion empire — is seen wearing what appears to be a vintage Rolex Oyster Precision in a two-tone configuration. The watch sits quietly on his wrist beneath a pinstripe suit, a rare moment of sartorial restraint from one of fashion's most flamboyant architects.

The Rolex Oyster Precision, most likely reference 6426, is one of the brand's longest-running and least-celebrated calibres. Produced across several decades from the late 1950s into the 1980s, the ref. 6426 features a manually wound movement — notably absent of the Perpetual designation that defines most Rolex models. The dial on this example is a glossy black with applied gold baton hour markers and gilt hands, set within a two-tone case combining stainless steel and a yellow gold bezel. The black leather strap — appearing to be crocodile or alligator grain — completes a clean, almost conservative profile. Crucially, the dial reads 'Oyster' above and 'Precision' below the center, with no 'Perpetual' and no 'Superlative Chronometer' text — confirming manual winding and the absence of COSC certification.

The Precision line holds a particular place in collector culture precisely because of what it lacks. Without the self-winding movement and chronometer status, it was positioned as a more accessible Rolex — yet the build quality, waterproof Oyster case, and period dial execution are every bit as serious. The two-tone variant with black dial is among the most desirable configurations, offering a formal aesthetic that ages exceptionally well.

For Versace, a man who dressed Michael Jackson and Princess Diana in baroque excess, choosing a manually wound Rolex with a clean black dial is a telling personal statement. It suggests a collector's sensibility rather than a status purchase — someone who understood watches beyond their logo value.

On today's grey market, a ref. 6426 in two-tone steel and gold with original black dial commands significant collector premiums over its humble origins. Prices for clean examples with matching bracelets or period straps typically range between $3,500 and $7,000 depending on condition and provenance. A piece documented on Versace's wrist would, of course, occupy a different conversation entirely.