American football player Victor Cruz spotted wearing a Rolex

Victor Cruz, the former NFL wide receiver best known for his salsa-celebrating touchdown catches with the New York Giants, was recently spotted on the wrist with one of Rolex's most covetable current references: the Day-Date 40 in 18K Everose gold with an olive green dial, reference 228235.

The Rolex Day-Date 40 ref. 228235 sits at the core of the collection Rolex overhauled in 2016 to mark the Day-Date's 60th anniversary. The case measures 40mm in Rolex's proprietary 18K Everose gold — a rose-gold alloy formulated in-house for improved fade resistance — and houses the manufacture calibre 3255. That movement represents one of Rolex's most significant in-house developments in decades: a 70-hour power reserve, a Chronergy escapement that delivers 15 percent greater efficiency than a conventional Swiss lever, and a paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus lever and escape wheel that render the movement highly resistant to magnetic fields. The olive green sunburst dial is dial-side drama done with restraint — the colour shifts warmly under different light conditions, complementing the Everose case in a way a white or silver dial simply cannot.

For collectors, the 228235 with olive dial occupies a sweet spot. It carries the horological gravitas of the 3255 calibre, the rarity premium of a coloured dial, and the prestige of Rolex's flagship complication — the simultaneous instantaneous display of the full day of the week and date. Waiting lists at authorised dealers remain substantial, which has kept grey-market premiums elevated and collector interest firmly in place.

Cruz, who retired from professional football and has since built a profile in media, fashion, and entertainment, has consistently shown an eye for watches that bridge sportsman confidence with genuine horological substance. The Day-Date — historically nicknamed the "President's watch" for its association with heads of state and cultural power brokers — suits that transition perfectly.

At UK list price of £31,450 (approximately $39,500 USD at current rates), the ref. 228235 is aspirational by design. On the secondary market, strong demand for Everose Day-Date 40 pieces with coloured dials continues to push prices above retail, reflecting both the model's enduring desirability and the persistent supply constraints Rolex maintains across its precious-metal lineup.