Watch Paparazzi

Singer Robin Thicke spotted wearing Rolex

Robin Thicke was recently photographed wearing a Rolex Yacht-Master 40 in 18k yellow gold, reference 16628, fitted with its signature blue dial — a combination that reads simultaneously sporty and ostentatious, which is precisely the point Rolex was making when the model debuted at Basel in 1992.

The ref. 16628 represents the top of the original Yacht-Master hierarchy: a 40mm Oyster case crafted entirely in 18k yellow gold, matched by an 18k Oyster bracelet with a folding Crownclasp. The bidirectional rotatable bezel — unusual among Rolex sport references, which typically favour unidirectional bezels for dive utility — is machined from solid gold with a raised minute scale. Inside sits the calibre 3135, a self-winding movement with a Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers, and a 48-hour power reserve, certified as a Swiss Chronometer by COSC. The blue lacquer or blue metallic dial, depending on production year, has become one of the most recognisable dials in the Rolex catalogue.

Among collectors, the 16628 occupies an interesting position. It was in continuous production from 1992 until approximately 2012, when Rolex retired the reference in favour of the updated 116628LB, which introduced a ceramic blue bezel. Pre-ceramic examples like the 16628 have developed a dedicated following among purists who prefer the glossier, more ornate aesthetic of the metal bezel era. Full yellow gold Yacht-Masters remain comparatively undervalued against equivalent Daytona or Submariner references, making them attractive entry points into the full-gold Rolex segment.

Robin Thicke — best known for the 2013 global hit "Blurred Lines" — has consistently worn luxury watches that project wealth without being aggressively complicated. A full yellow gold sport Rolex sits squarely in that register: recognisable to a broad audience, serious enough for a collector to respect.

The Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 16628 has been discontinued, so no current retail price applies. On the secondary market, clean examples with box and papers trade in the $18,000–$26,000 range depending on dial condition, bracelet stretch, and documentation. The blue dial variant commands the strongest premiums within the reference.