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footballerSpotted November 2022

Footballer Ronald Koeman spotted wearing a Rolex

footballer Ronald Koeman spotted wearing a Rolex 326135
Who & what: Rolex Sky-Dweller 'Chocolate' Dial Everose Gold Reference 326135 – Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman was photographed wearing a Rolex Sky-Dweller in Everose gold with a chocolate dial — reference 326135 — in the wake of Southampton FC's emphatic 4-0 victory over Arsenal FC, a result that sent shockwaves through the Premier League and temporarily cemented his reputation as one of England's shrewdest coaches.

The Sky-Dweller ref. 326135 sits firmly in Rolex's prestige tier. Cased in 18ct Everose gold measuring 42mm, it is paired here with a rich chocolate dial featuring Arabic numeral hour markers — a combination Rolex refers to as the 'Chocolate Arab' configuration. The annual calendar is displayed via off-centre subsidiary discs rather than a conventional date window, giving the dial a distinctive, almost architectural quality. The bracelet on this reference is the oysterflex, Rolex's high-performance elastomer strap reinforced with a metal blade, offering flexibility without sacrificing durability.

At its core, the Sky-Dweller runs on the in-house calibre 9001, a 72-hour power reserve movement featuring a Syloxi silicon hairspring and Rolex's proprietary Ring Command system — a rotating bezel mechanism that allows the wearer to switch between setting modes without the need for complex crown manipulation. Introduced at Baselworld 2012, the Sky-Dweller was positioned as Rolex's answer to high complications, and the 9001 remains one of the most sophisticated movements bearing the crown logo.

Among collectors, the Sky-Dweller occupies an interesting position. For years it was considered underappreciated relative to the Daytona or Submariner, but the Everose gold variants with chocolate dials have developed a loyal following — particularly the Arabic numeral configurations, which carry a warmer, more dressy character. The ref. 326135 replaced the earlier 326135 generation with incremental refinements and remains a strong performer on the secondary market.

Koeman, a decorated former defender who won the Champions League with Barcelona and coached at the highest levels of European football, has long favoured substantial, technically credible timepieces — a sensibility the Sky-Dweller reflects well. The Rolex Sky-Dweller ref. 326135 carries a UK RRP of approximately £26,350, with grey-market pricing typically running at a modest premium given sustained demand for Everose gold references.

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