Rapper Drake spotted wearing a Rolex

Drake is no stranger to the upper tier of Rolex's precious-metal offerings, but the Day-Date 40 ref. 228349RBR he was recently spotted wearing represents something specific even within that rarefied space: a fully factory-set diamond configuration, executed in-house by Rolex rather than through an aftermarket jeweller.

The Rolex Day-Date 40 ref. 228349RBR is built on the calibre 3255, Rolex's own high-frequency manufacture movement offering 70 hours of power reserve, a Chronergy escapement, and a variable-inertia balance wheel — technical credentials that sit comfortably behind the gem-set exterior. The case measures 40mm in 18K white gold, consistent with the 228349 family introduced in 2015 when Rolex upgraded the Day-Date line from the 36mm 118xxx series. The 'RBR' suffix designates the specific combination of a pavé diamond dial, eight baguette-cut diamond hour markers, two baguette sapphires positioned at 6 and 12 o'clock, and a bezel set with 48 round brilliant-cut diamonds. Every stone is selected and set by Rolex's own gem-setting atelier in Geneva.

From a collector standpoint, the factory-set designation carries significant weight. Rolex maintains strict control over its gem-set references, and the resale premium on factory stones versus aftermarket work is well established in the secondary market. The 228349RBR is not a special-order or bespoke piece — it appears in Rolex's official catalogue — but its price point and specification keep availability relatively constrained, which supports values on the grey market.

Drake, the Toronto-born rapper and entrepreneur whose watch sightings have included grand complications from Patek Philippe and skeletonised pieces from Richard Mille, gravitates consistently toward white gold and diamond-set references. The Day-Date, historically dubbed the 'President's watch' for its associations with heads of state and cultural authority, is a logical cornerstone in that kind of collection.

At an official retail price of approximately $84,350 USD, the Rolex Day-Date 40 ref. 228349RBR already occupies the upper end of the brand's standard catalogue. On the current grey market, examples are trading at roughly $130,000 USD — a premium of more than 50 percent over retail — reflecting both the sustained demand for factory diamond Rolex references and the enduring difficulty of sourcing them through authorised dealers.