Model Emily Ratajkowski spotted wearing a Rolex

Emily Ratajkowski has built a reputation for wearing vintage watches with genuine conviction, and this latest sighting confirms that instinct runs deep. The model and author was photographed discussing her vintage Rolex Day-Date 36 in 18-carat yellow gold — a piece that draws immediate attention from any serious horologist for its rare maroon vignette dial set with diamond hour markers.

The Rolex Day-Date 36, reference 1803, was produced from the late 1950s through the early 1980s and represents one of the most historically significant models in the entire Rolex catalog. Introduced in 1956 as the world's first wristwatch to display both the date and the full day of the week spelled out, the Day-Date has always been positioned as Rolex's flagship dress watch. The reference 1803 is characterized by its smooth, non-quickset movement — the caliber 1556 — its fluted 18-carat gold bezel, and the iconic President bracelet, a three-piece link design exclusive to Day-Date and Lady-Datejust models.

The dial on Ratajkowski's example is the crown jewel of the piece. Vignette dials — those featuring a gradient or ombré color fade — were produced in limited numbers during the 1970s and early 1980s across several dial colors including champagne, chocolate, and the particularly coveted maroon. Diamond baguette and round brilliant markers replace standard indices, adding measurable intrinsic value and visual weight. These dials were individually crafted by Rolex's in-house dial division and represent a level of artisanal production rarely seen in modern watchmaking.

From a collector standpoint, the maroon vignette diamond-dial Day-Date 1803 occupies a prestige tier well above standard gilt or linen-dial examples. Condition of the dial is paramount — any fading inconsistency or refinishing immediately deflates value. A clean, original example as appears worn here commands genuine collector premiums.

On the grey market, examples in this configuration typically trade between $12,000 and $18,000 depending on dial condition, papers, and box presence. Ratajkowski's choice reflects the broader cultural shift toward vintage Rolex as a marker of taste — worn not for status signaling but for the depth of knowledge it implies.