Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Erling Haaland spotted wearing Rolex

In a candid outdoor setting, likely at a private residence given the manicured garden backdrop, Erling Haaland appears relaxed and composed — a rare off-duty moment for one of football's most scrutinised athletes. On his wrist sits what is almost certainly a Rolex Day-Date 40 in 18ct Everose gold, finished with a chocolate dial and a diamond-pavé bezel, placing it squarely within Rolex's most prestigious collection.

The watch in question bears all the hallmarks of reference 228345RBR: the warm rose-gold case measuring 40mm, the signature President bracelet with its semi-circular three-piece links, a chocolate dial populated with applied Roman numeral hour markers rendered in matching Everose gold, and a bezel set with a single row of brilliant-cut diamonds. The Day-Date complication at 12 o'clock spells out the full day of the week, while the date aperture sits at 3 o'clock — both hallmarks of Calibre 3255, Rolex's in-house movement boasting a 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and a precision rating of ±2 seconds per day.

The Day-Date has carried the unofficial title of 'President's watch' since Dwight D. Eisenhower received one in 1956, and the collection has since graced the wrists of heads of state, industry titans, and cultural icons. The Everose gold variant — Rolex's proprietary 18ct rose gold alloy formulated to resist fading — elevates the reference further, ensuring collector demand remains consistently high. The chocolate dial, in particular, is considered a grail configuration among Day-Date enthusiasts for its warmth and rarity relative to more common silver or black executions.

Haaland, 23, is no stranger to high-horology. The Manchester City and Norwegian national team striker earns reported wages placing him among the top earners in world football, and his watch collection reflects an appetite for established luxury icons rather than avant-garde pieces. The leopard-print shirt he pairs here suggests a personality willing to lean into bold aesthetics — an attitude consistent with someone who chooses one of Rolex's most maximalist configurations.

On the grey market, the 228345RBR commands a meaningful premium over its already substantial retail price, driven by Rolex's controlled distribution and the perennial demand for Everose gold Day-Date references with diamond bezels. Buyers seeking an unworn example from an authorised dealer should expect significant waitlist friction, reinforcing the watch's dual status as both a horological statement and a tangible store of value.