Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Wiz Khalifa spotted wearing Rolex

Wiz Khalifa marked 4/20 in characteristically deliberate style, appearing with a Rolex Day-Date reference 18038 on his wrist — a piece that says as much about horological taste as it does about cultural positioning. The Day-Date has long been the watch of choice for heads of state, executives, and artists who understand what the "President" sobriquet actually means, and Khalifa's choice lands squarely in that tradition.

The Rolex Day-Date 18038 was manufactured from approximately 1978 to 1990, sitting within the second generation of the Day-Date family. Cased entirely in 18k yellow gold — Rolex policy has always been that the Day-Date is offered exclusively in precious metal — the 36mm case rides on the iconic President bracelet, first introduced alongside the original Day-Date in 1956. Power comes from the calibre 3055, a self-winding movement featuring a Glucydur balance wheel and Rolex's own Microstella regulation system, offering a 48-hour power reserve. The day disc advances instantaneously at midnight, a technical feature that remains satisfying in daily use decades later.

Among vintage Rolex collectors, the 18038 occupies a respected position. It predates the high-beat calibre 3155 that replaced it, meaning examples in strong condition with original dials — particularly the rarer champagne, meteorite, or lapis lazuli variants — command serious attention at auction. The reference is frequently cited as the "purist" vintage Day-Date for collectors who want the President aesthetic without the later case refinements that softened the profile.

Wiz Khalifa has built a watch collection that reflects genuine engagement with the category rather than simple logo acquisition. He has been photographed with Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks and various Rolex sports references, but the Day-Date 18038 signals something more specific: an appreciation for the watch that codified boardroom luxury before streetwear and hip-hop culture reclaimed it entirely.

On the grey market, clean examples of the Rolex Day-Date 18038 in yellow gold with desirable dials trade between $18,000 and $32,000 depending on condition, dial variant, and originality of parts. The official retail period for this reference ended over three decades ago, making any current pricing entirely secondary-market driven.