Cricketer MS Dhoni spotted wearing a Rolex

MS Dhoni, former captain of the Indian national cricket team and one of the most recognisable sporting figures in Asia, was recently spotted on the wrist with a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 in turquoise dial, reference 126000 — a piece that has become something of a modern cult object in the collector community since its unveiling.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 126000 was introduced as part of a sweeping dial colour update at Rolex's 2020 presentations, which included coral red, yellow, and the now-iconic turquoise blue stone-effect lacquer. The 36mm stainless steel Oyster case houses the Calibre 3230, a movement Rolex debuted that same year featuring the Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, and a 70-hour power reserve — a meaningful upgrade over the outgoing 3135. The dial's turquoise finish mimics the appearance of natural turquoise stone, achieved through a proprietary lacquering process rather than actual mineral material, yet the optical result is genuinely striking against the polished and brushed Oyster bracelet.

From a collector standpoint, the 126000 turquoise occupies a curious position: it is an entry-level Rolex by catalogue designation — no precious metal, no complication — yet it commands grey-market premiums that embarrass far more technically complex references. At launch it sat well below the $6,000 mark at retail; within months of release, secondary market prices had ballooned dramatically, reflecting both genuine desirability and the broader authorised dealer allocation crisis that defined the early 2020s watch market.

Dhoni's horological tastes run deep. The Chennai Super Kings icon has been photographed across a spectrum of high-end timepieces over the years, and his choice of the Oyster Perpetual 126000 signals an appreciation for understated, design-led collecting rather than status-by-complication. It is precisely the watch a connoisseur reaches for when making a point about taste over flash.

On today's grey market, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 turquoise dial Ref. 126000 trades well above its retail anchor, with documented sales regularly reaching the $30,000–$40,000 range depending on condition and provenance — a remarkable multiple for a time-only sports watch in steel.