Watch Paparazzi

Television presenter Ellen spotted wearing Rolex

Ellen DeGeneres was recently spotted wearing one of Rolex's most lavishly appointed references, the Day-Date 40 ref. 228349RBR in 18kt white gold — a timepiece that occupies a singular position even within Rolex's own prestigious lineup.

The Day-Date 40 ref. 228349RBR is built around an 18kt white gold 40mm Oyster case, paired with a President bracelet in the same metal. The dial is fully pavé-set with diamonds, while the hour markers consist of eight baguette-cut diamonds flanked by two baguette-cut sapphires — a combination that requires extraordinary precision from Rolex's gemological team. The domed sapphire crystal and screw-down Oyster crown ensure the case remains water-resistant to 100 metres, a functional detail that feels almost incongruous given the watch's jewellery-grade finish.

At the heart of the 228349RBR beats the Rolex Calibre 3255, introduced with the second-generation Day-Date 40 and widely regarded as one of the most significant in-house movements in contemporary watchmaking. The 3255 offers a 70-hour power reserve, a Chronergy escapement that improves efficiency by roughly 15 percent over its predecessor, and a paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus lever and escape wheel. It holds a Superlative Chronometer certification, meaning it is regulated to ±2 seconds per day after casing — a tighter tolerance than COSC standard.

The Day-Date lineage stretches back to 1956, when Rolex introduced it as the first wristwatch to display both the date and the full day of the week spelled out in a window. It was conceived from the outset as a watch for heads of state, executives, and cultural figures — a positioning Rolex has maintained with precision for nearly seven decades. The 228349RBR continues that tradition by being among the most gem-intensive references in current production.

Ellen DeGeneres has cultivated a watch collection that leans toward statement Rolexes, and the Day-Date 40 ref. 228349RBR is arguably the definitive statement the brand can make. At a UK list price of approximately £65,000 — translating to roughly $82,000 USD at current exchange — this reference commands a significant premium in the grey market as well, where fully set white gold Day-Dates in this configuration routinely trade above retail due to constrained supply and consistent collector demand.