Watch Paparazzi

Television presenter Kris Aquino spotted wearing Rolex

Kris Aquino, Filipina television host, actress, producer, and one of Southeast Asia's most recognisable public figures, was recently spotted wearing the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 in yellow dial, reference 124300 — a watch that caused arguably the biggest stir in Rolex's modern catalogue the moment it was unveiled.

Rolex introduced the refreshed Oyster Perpetual family at Baselworld 2020, and the 124300 in candy-coloured dials — yellow, coral red, turquoise blue, green, and olive — immediately overshadowed far more expensive siblings. The 41mm Oystersteel case follows Rolex's signature Oyster architecture: a triple-lock Twinlock winding crown, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and water resistance to 100 metres. The yellow lacquered dial is paired with a matching yellow-tipped seconds hand, giving the piece a graphic boldness that stands apart from the brand's typically conservative palette.

Beneath the case sits the Calibre 3230, a movement of genuine significance. Introduced in 2020, it marked Rolex's deployment of the Chronergy escapement — a nickel-phosphorus lever and escape wheel system that improves energy efficiency by roughly 15 percent over conventional Swiss lever designs. Combined with a Syloxi silicon hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers, the 3230 delivers a 70-hour power reserve and COSC-certified chronometric precision, all within a self-winding architecture that has become a benchmark for the industry.

For collectors, the 124300 yellow dial occupies a peculiar space: it is an entry-level Rolex by catalogue position yet carries cult status that many complications cannot claim. Its accessibility in price makes it aspirational for a broad audience, while its scarcity at authorised dealers kept it firmly in grey-market premium territory for years following launch. Demand has since moderated, but the model retains strong resale values and enthusiast credibility.

Kris Aquino's watch choices consistently reflect her status as a tastemaker across the Philippines and its vast diaspora. Known for her frankness about luxury goods and personal style, her wearing the Oyster Perpetual 124300 yellow dial underscores the model's crossover appeal — equally at home in horological discourse and mainstream celebrity culture. Retail sits at approximately $6,150 USD; grey market values have settled modestly above that figure.