Watch Paparazzi

Singer Zayn Malik spotted wearing Rolex

Zayn Malik was photographed exiting a vehicle at night, and sharp-eyed observers immediately clocked the rose gold Rolex Day-Date President on his wrist. The warm glow of the case catches light even in low-visibility conditions — a testament to Rolex's proprietary Everose gold alloy, a formula the brand patented in 2005 specifically to resist fading and discolouration over time. It is a detail that separates genuine connoisseurs from those simply buying into a logo.

The reference in question is almost certainly the 228235, the 40mm Day-Date introduced in 2015 when Rolex expanded the President from the classic 36mm to a contemporary 40mm case. The dial is the distinctive chocolate brown — Rolex calls it 'chocolate' in catalogue language — complemented by alternating baguette and round brilliant-cut diamond hour markers set directly into the dial. The fluted bezel is machined from solid Everose gold and remains one of the most recognisable design signatures in Swiss watchmaking. The movement is the in-house calibre 3255, a technically significant manufacture movement featuring the Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, and a 70-hour power reserve — a meaningful upgrade over the outgoing 3155.

The Day-Date's collector standing is unambiguous. Introduced in 1956 as the first wristwatch to display both the date and the full day of the week spelled out, it has historically been gifted to heads of state, industry leaders, and cultural figures — earning its unofficial 'President's watch' nickname organically before Rolex formalised it with the bracelet name. The 40mm generation has broadened its appeal to a younger, style-conscious demographic without sacrificing the reference's gravitas.

Zayn Malik occupies an interesting space in celebrity watch culture. His taste runs toward high-impact luxury pieces worn in deliberately casual contexts — a black Supreme tee and jeans against a six-figure rose gold Rolex is a studied contrast rather than an accident. It aligns with his broader aesthetic: high-low tension executed with intent.

At a retail price of $37,400, the 228235 in Everose with diamond markers sits at the upper tier of the standard Day-Date 40 range before entering the full pavé territory. On the grey market, strong demand and restricted supply keep this reference trading at or above retail consistently, reflecting both its wearability and its investment credibility.