Watch Paparazzi

Television presenter Ellen spotted wearing Rolex

Ellen DeGeneres has long been one of Hollywood's more quietly serious watch collectors, and her latest sighting doesn't disappoint. The television presenter was recently spotted wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II in 18k yellow gold with a green dial, corresponding to reference 116718 — one of the more elusive and visually commanding configurations in the modern Rolex catalogue.

The GMT-Master II ref. 116718 sits at the top of the GMT family tree. Housing Rolex's in-house calibre 3186 movement — a COSC-certified self-winding mechanical with a 48-hour power reserve and Rolex's proprietary Parachrom hairspring for improved shock and temperature resistance — the watch operates at 28,800 vph and offers independently adjustable GMT hand functionality, allowing the wearer to track two time zones simultaneously. The 40mm Oyster case in 18k yellow gold is paired with Rolex's Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert, introduced on this reference as part of the brand's transition away from aluminum bezels. The green dial variant is among the rarest dial options associated with this reference.

From a collector's standpoint, the 116718 in yellow gold with green dial occupies a very specific niche: it appeals to those who want the full precious-metal GMT experience without the sportier connotations of white or Everose gold. Yellow gold Rolex sports watches have experienced a significant reassessment in collector circles over the past decade, moving from considered passé to genuinely desirable. The green dial only amplifies that appeal, evoking the brand's long association with the color — from the Submariner Date to the Kermit.

Ellen DeGeneres has worn notable timepieces across her career in television and media. Her choice of the GMT-Master II ref. 116718 signals a collector sensibility rather than purely a fashion one — the GMT-Master has genuine tool-watch heritage dating to its 1955 development for Pan Am pilots, and that history carries weight even on a yellow gold iteration.

On the market, the 116718 in desirable dial configurations commands a significant premium. Retail pricing in the UK sits around £21,000, but grey-market values for the green dial version have consistently exceeded list price, reflecting both scarcity and sustained collector demand for yellow gold Rolex sports references.