Watch Paparazzi

Singer Bow Wow spotted wearing Rolex

Bow Wow — born Shad Moss and now active on social media under the handle @shadmoss — was photographed wearing a Rolex Datejust II in Rolesor with a slate Roman dial, reference 116333. The sighting places the rapper-turned-actor firmly in the camp of collectors who appreciate the Datejust lineage without needing the visibility of an outright sports model.

The Datejust II ref. 116333 was introduced in 2009 as a larger, more contemporary take on the classic Datejust. At 41mm, it occupies the middle ground between the original 36mm Datejust and the more aggressive 44mm Day-Date territory. The Rolesor configuration combines an Oyster bracelet, case flanks, and crown in 904L stainless steel with 18k yellow gold lugs, bezel, and center bracelet links — a pairing Rolex has offered since the 1930s. The slate dial carries applied Roman numerals in yellow gold, maintaining tonal cohesion across the watch. Power comes from the in-house calibre 3136, a movement featuring Parachrom Haircpring and Paraflex shock absorbers, offering approximately 72 hours of power reserve — a notable improvement over the earlier calibre 3135 found in the standard Datejust of the same era.

The ref. 116333 was discontinued in 2016 when Rolex introduced the Datejust 41 ref. 126333, which replaced it with the updated Oyster Perpetual case architecture and calibre 3235. That discontinuation has sharpened collector interest in the 116333, which is now viewed as a transitional reference with a distinct identity. The slate Roman configuration in particular is considered one of the more refined dial options in the 116333 range.

Bow Wow has maintained a visible presence in hip-hop and entertainment culture since his teenage breakthrough in the early 2000s, and his watch choices have consistently leaned toward recognizable luxury without veering into the ultra-complication territory favored by some peers. The Datejust II is a considered, versatile choice — appropriate across contexts in a way that a full precious-metal piece would not be.

On the secondary market, the ref. 116333 in slate Roman configuration trades at a modest premium to original retail given its discontinued status, making it an accessible entry point into two-tone Rolex collecting.