Footballer Gabriel Jesus spotted wearing a Rolex

During a Brazil national team training session — likely in the lead-up to or following Copa América — Arsenal and former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus was photographed carrying a clutch bag, his left wrist quietly adorned with one of Rolex's most sought-after sport references: the Submariner Date 40mm in 18k white gold.

The watch in question is the Rolex Submariner Date reference 116619LB, introduced at Baselworld 2008 as the first Submariner to feature Rolex's proprietary Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert. The unidirectional rotating bezel displays elapsed time in blue ceramic, virtually scratch-proof and UV-resistant, framing a rich blue sunray dial with applied hour markers and Mercedes hands in 18k white gold. The 40mm Oyster case in 904L-grade white gold is matched to an Oyster bracelet with Glidelock extension system, water-resistant to 300 metres. Powering the watch is the calibre 3135, a COSC-certified automatic movement with a 48-hour power reserve — the reliable workhorse behind decades of Submariner production before the transition to the 3235 in newer references.

Among collectors, the 116619LB occupies a unique niche. The 'Smurf' nickname — earned for its monochromatic blue-on-blue-on-white-gold presentation — has achieved near-cult status. It is neither the most discreet Submariner nor the most ostentatious; rather, it threads a precise needle between tool-watch functionality and precious-metal luxury. Production volumes for white gold references are inherently lower than steel, which sustains strong grey-market premiums year after year.

Gabriel Jesus, the Brazilian forward known for his pressing intensity and Copa América heroics — including a final goal against Peru — has demonstrated consistent taste for high-specification Rolex sports references. Wearing the Smurf in a training-ground context rather than a red-carpet setting speaks to the reference's versatility and the athlete's comfort with understated luxury.

At launch, Rolex listed the 116619LB at approximately $34,250 USD. On the secondary market, pre-owned examples in full-set condition regularly trade between $38,000 and $45,000 USD, with unworn specimens pushing higher. With the subsequent generation 126619LB now in production — featuring the larger 41mm case and calibre 3235 — the 116619LB has begun attracting vintage-transitional interest, quietly appreciating as the last 40mm white gold Submariner.