Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Sfera Ebbasta spotted wearing Rolex

Sfera Ebbasta, Italy's most-streamed rap artist and a man who treats watch collecting with the same precision he applies to his music, was recently spotted wearing a Rolex Day-Date 40 in 18k Everose gold, reference 228235, fitted with an olive green dial and Roman numeral hour markers. The sighting is consistent with the Milan-born artist's well-documented affinity for precious-metal Rolex references, particularly those that sit at the intersection of tradition and contemporary taste.

The reference 228235 was unveiled in 2016 as part of Rolex's celebration of the Day-Date's 60th anniversary. The launch retired the previous 41mm case in favour of a cleaner 40mm diameter — matching the original 1956 proportions more faithfully — and introduced the calibre 3255, one of Rolex's most significant in-house movements in recent memory. The 3255 beats at 28,800 vph, offers approximately 70 hours of power reserve, and incorporates 14 patents including an optimised escapement and a new barrel architecture. It also carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, guaranteeing accuracy to +/-2 seconds per day.

The olive green dial with Roman numerals is among the most sought-after configurations in the 228235 range. Rolex produces the dial in-house at its Cadran subsidiary in Geneva, and the deep, muted green tone works exceptionally well against Everose gold — a proprietary 18k rose gold alloy developed by Rolex to resist fading over time. The combination elevates the watch beyond a standard Presidential, lending it a quieter gravitas that serious collectors respect.

Sfera Ebbasta's rapport with Rolex is well established. The rapper has appeared publicly with Daytona, GMT-Master II, and various Day-Date references, reflecting both the aspirational symbolism of the brand within hip-hop culture and a genuine engagement with the craft of watchmaking. The Day-Date has always carried presidential connotations — quite literally, given its association with heads of state since its 1956 debut — and Sfera wearing it reads less as flex, more as studied connoisseurship.

On the secondary market, the 228235 in Everose gold commands a meaningful premium over retail, particularly in green dial configurations which have seen sustained demand since the broader market enthusiasm for green dials accelerated post-2020. Availability at authorised dealers remains limited.