Cricketer Virat Kohli spotted wearing a Rolex

Airport corridors rarely double as watch showcases, but when Virat Kohli passes through, the rules change. The Indian cricket captain was recently photographed alongside a fan, his left wrist carrying what close inspection confirms as a Rolex Day-Date 40 in 18K Everose gold — Rolex's proprietary rose gold alloy formulated for superior fade resistance. The chocolate dial and baguette diamond indices are clearly visible, consistent with one of the most sought-after dial configurations in the current Day-Date 40 lineup.

The Day-Date 40, introduced in 2015 as reference 228235, marked a significant evolution from the long-running 41-year ref. 118235. Rolex increased the case diameter from 36mm to 40mm while retaining the iconic President bracelet and fluted bezel. Beneath the dial sits the Calibre 3255 — a movement Rolex spent a decade developing, featuring the Chronergy escapement, a 70-hour power reserve, and a Syloxi silicon hairspring. It earned a COSC certification and Rolex's own Superlative Chronometer designation, guaranteeing ±2 seconds per day accuracy.

The chocolate dial with baguette-cut diamond hour markers on ref. 228235 is a collector-favorite specification. The combination of warm Everose gold case and bracelet against the brown sunray dial creates a visual coherence rarely matched in luxury dress watches. Baguette indices carry a meaningful price premium over the standard applied hour-marker configuration, making this particular execution one of the pricier dial options within the reference family.

Kohli's relationship with Rolex extends beyond casual ownership — he has served as a brand ambassador for the manufacture, making his Day-Date 40 sighting entirely on-brand. As one of the world's highest-paid athletes and a figure who has consistently demonstrated genuine interest in fine watches beyond contractual obligation, his choice of the Day-Date 40 in this specification signals considered taste rather than mere endorsement.

At a retail price of $37,550 USD, the Day-Date 40 ref. 228235 with chocolate baguette dial sits well above the entry point of the Day-Date range. On the secondary market, strong demand and Rolex's production constraints have pushed grey-market premiums to approximately $52,000–$58,000 for this specific dial configuration, reflecting both the model's prestige and the persistent supply-demand imbalance affecting Rolex's gold sports and dress pieces.