Television presenter Ellen spotted wearing a Rolex

Ellen DeGeneres was recently photographed wearing the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 in 18kt Everose gold with a full diamond-pavé dial, reference 116655 — one of the most luxurious and technically intricate configurations Rolex offers within the Yacht-Master line. The sighting reinforces DeGeneres's reputation as a serious collector with a clear preference for precious-metal Rolex references.

The Yacht-Master 116655 houses Rolex's in-house Calibre 3135, a self-winding movement with a 48-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring for magnetic resistance, and chronometer certification from COSC. The 40mm Oyster case is crafted entirely in Rolex's proprietary Everose gold — an 18kt rose gold alloy formulated in-house to resist fading over time — and is paired with an Oysterflex bracelet, the brand's vulcanized rubber strap with a titanium and Everose gold metal blade insert. Water resistance sits at 100 metres, in keeping with the model's nautical brief.

The pavé dial variant elevates the 116655 well beyond its already-premium base configuration. Rolex's dial workshop sets each diamond individually into the 18kt gold dial, with the total stone count and carat weight carefully calibrated to maintain legibility — no small feat when the entire surface is covered. This places the reference firmly within Rolex's high-jewellery tier, closer in spirit to a Sky-Dweller or Pearlmaster than a sports reference, despite retaining the Yacht-Master's functional DNA.

For collectors, the 116655 pavé occupies an interesting niche: it is unambiguously a luxury object first and a tool watch second, yet it carries genuine Rolex horological credibility. Demand among buyers who want both precious materials and a recognizable Rolex silhouette keeps grey-market premiums moderate but consistent. It is not a flipping target — it is a keeper.

Ellen DeGeneres has been photographed with multiple high-end Rolex references over the years, and the 116655 suits her public persona: polished, confident, and commercially successful without being ostentatious. At a UK list price of approximately £33,000, this is not an entry-level gesture — it is a considered acquisition from someone who knows exactly what they are wearing.