Watch Paparazzi

Golfer Hideki Matsuyama spotted wearing Rolex

When Hideki Matsuyama pulled on the Green Jacket at Augusta National in April 2021, history was being made on two fronts. His Masters victory made him the first Japanese player to win a Major championship — and on his wrist sat one of Rolex's most recognisable two-tone references, the Submariner Date 126613LB, a model that had only recently been updated.

The Rolex Submariner Date 126613LB — known informally in collector circles as the 'Bluesy' — features a 41mm case in a combination of Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold, a pairing Rolex has offered on the Submariner since the 1960s. The blue dial is lacquered and set with luminous gold hour markers, while the unidirectional rotating bezel carries a monobloc Cerachrom insert in deep blue ceramic, virtually scratch-proof and UV-resistant. Water resistance is rated to 300 metres.

The reference 126613LB was introduced in September 2020 as part of a generational refresh of the entire Submariner line, replacing the previous 116613LB. The most significant change lies beneath the dial: the new Calibre 3235, a manufacture movement featuring Rolex's proprietary Chronergy escapement, a 70-hour power reserve, and improved accuracy to +/-2 seconds per day — a substantial upgrade over the Calibre 3135 it succeeded. The case diameter also grew fractionally from 40mm to 41mm, with a subtly redesigned case and bracelet architecture.

Among collectors, the two-tone Submariner occupies an interesting position. Purists often gravitate toward the all-steel 126610LN, but the Bluesy carries its own devoted following, particularly in markets across Asia and the Middle East. Its gold detailing elevates the tool-watch format without abandoning it — a balance that resonates with buyers who wear their watches across contexts.

Matsuyama is a long-standing Rolex ambassador, and his choice of the 126613LB for Augusta was consistent with that relationship. That said, the timing added a layer of meaning: a freshly minted reference on the wrist of a player making history. On the secondary market, the 126613LB commands a significant premium over retail, with demand for the two-tone Submariner remaining consistently strong since the 2020 refresh.