Watch Paparazzi

Mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya spotted wearing Rolex

Israel Adesanya, the reigning face of UFC's middleweight division, was recently spotted wearing a Rolex Day-Date 40 in 18ct yellow gold, reference 228348RBR-0007 — one of the most recognizable luxury watch configurations in the world. The champagne-color dial, diamond-set bezel, and President bracelet together form a combination that has defined power dressing since the Kennedy era.

The Day-Date 40 ref. 228348RBR sits at the apex of the Rolex catalog. Launched as part of the 40mm Day-Date generation introduced in 2015, the 228348RBR houses the in-house calibre 3255 — a movement featuring a Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and Rolex's proprietary Parachrom hairspring. The case and the three-piece-link President bracelet are crafted entirely in 18ct yellow gold, while the bezel is set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 1.78 carats. The champagne sunburst dial adds warmth that plays particularly well against the yellow gold case.

Within collector circles, the yellow gold Day-Date 40 with diamond bezel occupies a curious space: it is simultaneously the most traditional expression of old-guard Rolex prestige and a current-generation piece with genuinely impressive movement technology. Reference 228348RBR rarely sits on authorized dealer shelves; demand from athletes, entertainers, and high-net-worth buyers across global markets keeps supply perpetually thin. Its combination of precious metal, gem-setting, and bracelet integration represents Rolex's most vertically integrated manufacturing achievement.

Adesanya, born in Lagos and raised in New Zealand, has built one of the most distinctive personal brands in combat sports — part runway model, part anime enthusiast, part championship fighter. His watch choices consistently reflect a taste for maximum-impact luxury without irony. The Day-Date is precisely the piece you wear when you want no ambiguity about the statement being made.

At official Rolex retail, the 228348RBR-0007 carries a list price in the region of $57,000 USD, though authorized dealer access remains extremely limited. On the secondary market, grey-market premiums for this reference have remained firm, with examples trading in a range consistent with strong collector and aspirational buyer demand for Rolex's flagship yellow gold dress watch.