Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Eden Hazard spotted wearing Rolex

Eden Hazard, widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted wingers of his generation during his time at Chelsea FC, was photographed wearing a Rolex Sky-Dweller in 18kt yellow gold, reference 326938 — a watch that, like its owner, combines elite performance with considerable flair.

Introduced at Baselworld 2012, the Rolex Sky-Dweller immediately established itself as the brand's most complication-forward sports-adjacent timepiece. The reference 326938 pairs a 42mm case crafted entirely in 18kt yellow gold with a matching Oyster bracelet, giving it an unambiguously luxurious presence. Beneath the fluted bezel sits a sunray-finish dial featuring the Sky-Dweller's signature off-centre annual calendar — twelve discreet apertures around the chapter ring indicate the month, while a central off-centre hand marks the second time zone. An annual calendar automatically accounts for months of varying lengths, requiring a single correction each year in February.

The heart of the Sky-Dweller is Rolex Calibre 9001, a manufacture movement developed entirely in-house and requiring years of engineering investment before launch. It runs at 28,800 vph, offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve, and is regulated to Superlative Chronometer standards — meaning Rolex certifies it to ±2 seconds per day after casing. The Ring Command bezel, a patented mechanism that couples the rotating bezel to the crown to select between three adjustment modes, remains one of the most ingenious user-interface solutions in contemporary watchmaking.

Among collectors, the Sky-Dweller 326938 occupies a particular niche: it is Rolex's most complex watch but is often underappreciated relative to the Daytona or Submariner. That relative obscurity has made it a mark of genuine watch knowledge — buyers who choose it understand what they are getting. In full yellow gold, the reference skews toward the lifestyle end of the collector spectrum without sacrificing mechanical substance.

For a footballer of Hazard's stature and earnings, the Sky-Dweller 326938 represents a considered choice. The UK list price of £33,950 places it firmly in serious luxury territory, while grey-market premiums have remained modest compared to the sport models — making it attainable for those who actually want to wear, rather than flip, the watch.