Watch Paparazzi

Model Emily Ratajkowski spotted wearing Rolex

Emily Ratajkowski was photographed in New York City wearing what appears to be a Rolex Day-Date 40 in 18k yellow gold, reference 228238, paired with her characteristically pared-back street style. The sighting is notable because Ratajkowski has never been an overt luxury-watch personality — making the choice of one of Rolex's most historically loaded references all the more interesting.

The Day-Date 40 ref. 228238 was introduced at Baselworld 2015, replacing the long-running 36mm ref. 118238 and marking the first significant size change to the Day-Date in nearly six decades. The case measures 40mm in 18k yellow gold with a fluted bezel, housing Rolex's in-house calibre 3255 — a movement featuring a Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and a claimed +2/-2 seconds per day precision that Rolex certifies as a Superlative Chronometer. The black dial visible in this sighting is fitted with baguette diamond hour markers on a sunray-brushed surface, a configuration that elevates the reference considerably above the standard stick-index variant.

The Day-Date carries a cultural weight that few watches can match. Nicknamed the "President's Watch" after Dwight D. Eisenhower wore an early example, it has graced the wrists of heads of state, business leaders, and entertainers for nearly 70 years. Critically, Rolex has never produced the Day-Date in stainless steel — every example is 18k gold or platinum, making ownership an unambiguous statement. The 228238 with diamond baguettes sits near the top of the yellow gold configuration hierarchy.

Ratajkowski, known for her directness about style and self-presentation, rarely makes accidental choices. Wearing a Day-Date — rather than, say, a Datejust or a sportier Submariner — signals an engagement with the watch's legacy rather than its hype-market cachet. It is a collector's choice dressed as an everyday piece.

At retail, the Rolex Day-Date 40 ref. 228238 with black diamond-set dial lists around $46,550 USD. On the secondary market, strong demand for 18k yellow gold Day-Date 40 references keeps grey prices consistently above retail, with comparable diamond-dial configurations trading in the $52,000–$60,000 range depending on condition and papers.