As an official Rolex brand ambassador, or “testimonee” as they’re officially called, Roger Federer has access to literally any timepiece the legendary Geneva watchmaker can produce. And Federer, who, according to Forbes, has made roughly $1 billion across the span of his career solely from “endorsements and other business endeavors,” can surely afford any Rolex watch in the world. The reported $15 million a year he earns from the Rolex deal certainly doesn’t hurt; but you have to credit the man with true loyalty.
His partnership with Rolex dates back to 2001, and in the past 25 years he doesn’t seem to ever have been photographed wearing any other watchmaker’s wares. Does he get home at night and strap on a Patek, or, for that matter, a Timex, when no one is looking? We highly doubt it. Rolex so perfectly suits the superstar, who was born in Basel, Switzerland in the heart of “Watch Valley,” that is literally a match made in heaven.
Of course he prefers Rolex sports models, and with a few exceptions, he favors the more classic and understated pieces from the catalog. The times he has gone off-piste, horologically speaking, are all that much more interesting because they hint that “FedEx,” as he is sometimes known, might just have a wild side. Most recently he made watch blog headlines by wearing the ultra-rare new Rolex Daytona Le Mans watch, reference 126528LN-0001 in yellow gold, which was unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2024, while watching the U.S. Open last month with Rolex CEO Jean-Frederic Dufour.
At Wimbledon in 2022, Federer turned heads when he stepped out wearing the off-catalog Rolex Daytona “Orange” Ref. 116588SACO. This striking timepiece, currently valued at around $325,000 on the secondary market, boasts an 18K yellow-gold case with an orange sapphire-crystal bezel, a black dial, and sapphire-set hour markers, all paired with a sleek black Oysterflex rubber strap. While it’s not as eye-catching as the Rolex Daytona Rainbow, which we’ve covered in detail in our Rolex Daytona Rainbow review, it was still an unexpected and bold choice for Federer, pushing him outside his usual comfort zone. Here’s a closer look at the rest of his impressive Rolex collection, excluding those seen only in advertisements.
Daytona “Platona” 116506
The now-iconic Platinum Daytona with its blue and brown dial and bezel combo stands in counterpoint to the gem-set models which are in questionable taste. This Rolex 116506 has since been overshadowed by flashier iterations, but it’s worth remembering that it was originally released to celebrate the Daytona’s 50th anniversary.
GMT-Master II “Batman” 116710BLNR
Aside from the “Rolex Wimbledon” Datejust itself (more on that below), this is the Rolex we most closely associate with the great tennis ace, as it just seems to suit his style to a tee. This is one of a trio of GMTs that Federer has worn while hoisting some of the numerous trophies he’s taken home over the years. The Rolex Batman is one of Rolex’s most well-loved tool watches, featuring a GMT movement with a fourth hand on the dial that makes one revolution per 24 hours, indicating a second-time zone. The utility of the model makes it an obvious choice for the jet-setting athlete, and the bezel’s black and blue color scheme (which is reminiscent of the Dark Knight’s signature look) pairs seamlessly with Federer’s on- and off-court uniform.
GMT-Master II “Bruce Wayne” 12671GRNR
Some say Federer was the very first celeb to wear the black-and-grey “Rolex Bruce Wayne” bezeled GMT on a jubilee bracelet, at Wimbledon in 2022. It makes perfect sense that he offset the “Orange” sapphire Daytona with something on the opposite end of the subtlety spectrum.
GMT-Master II “Sprite” 126720VTNR-002
The next piece in Federer’s trio of GMTs is the left-handed “Rolex Sprite” model, and as with the “Bruce Wayne” he favors it on a jubilee bracelet. He wore this watch while attending the F1 Barcelona Grand Prix in 2022, where it was an appropriately sporty accessory to the high-octane race.
Vintage Rolex Daytona Ref 6263 “BIG RED”
In 2021, Federer was spotted wearing another coveted Daytona model, the ref. 6263 “Big Red” was made famous by the iconic Paul Newman. The model, which features a 37mm case and a black dial, was introduced in 1969 and gets its nickname from the instantly recognizable red “Daytona” lettering featured just below the center of the dial.
Though Paul Newman’s own Rolex 6263 sold for a breathtaking $5.475 million in December 2020, collectors can get their hands on the model for $120,000-$150,000.
Rolex Daytona 116519LN With Meteorite Dial
It’s only fitting to start at the end on this journey through Federer’s Rolex collection. When the athlete announced his retirement via Instagram on September 16, he was seen sporting a 18K white Gold Daytona Ref. 116519LN with a meteorite dial. Roger’s Rolex 116519, which features a sporty Oysterflex bracelet and a design built for endurance was the perfect way to underscore Federer’s out-of-this-world career.
The meteorite and black dial Ref. 116519LN is still available to purchase new, and – if you can get your hands on one – currently retails for $34,850. It is rare to spot one on the secondary market, but when they do pop up, they can easily sell for $100,000.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116500LN
Federer helped usher in the beautiful Rolex Daytona Ref. 116500LN with a white bezel, black ceramic dials, and black bezel – a colorway also referred to as “Rolex Daytona panda” – when the brand first released it at Baselworld in 2016.
Yacht-Master II 116689
This white-gold edition of the cult favorite Yacht-Master is a paragon of elegant simplicity. A “marvel of maritime precision,” it looks equally good on the deck of a yacht or on dry land. Federer wore his Rolex 116689 at Roland Garros in 2009. This is the only white gold watch on this list, so take note.
Sky-Dweller 326934
This Rolex Sky-Dweller just might be the most handsome watch in Federer’s Rolex collection. The blue dial on this stainless steel version of Rolex’s most complex watch is really striking, and the size of it just looks great on the tennis court. Federer was one of the first to wear the updated Sky-Dweller model when he sported it to hold his Miami Open trophy in 2017. He also wore this timepiece at the Australia Open in 2018. All this watch needs is a nickname.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Everose Ref. 326135
Federer is also a fan of the original Sky-Dweller, which was only made in precious metals until the release of the stainless steel model in 2017. The GOAT has been seen sporting a sophisticated Sky-Dweller Ref. 326135 in Everose gold with a rich chocolate brown face. Federer’s Rolex 326135 also features a leather strap – which was also discontinued as part of the 2017 updates made to the Sky-Dweller. (Today, leather straps can only be found on Rolexes formal Cellini models.)
Day-Date “President” 228235
The pairing of 18K Everose gold with a chocolate brown dial is just so right in our opinion. This Rolex Day-Date almost has vintage vibes, and its presence is truly presidential. Federer wore this watch at Wimbledon way back in 2012, and it surely wowed the crowd nearly as much as his victory.
Day-Date “60th Anniversary” 228235
A companion piece to the brown dial “Rolex President“, this piece’s olive green dial has almost equal wrist appeal, although the Roman numerals are not ideal in our view. Federer sported the Everose gold watch at Wimbledon in 2018, and as green is the official color of Wimbledon it looked perfectly at home. This stylish Day Date makes for a sophisticated take on the gold-and-green combination that continues to trend today.
Rolex Day-Date White Gold Ref. 218239
Federer’s appreciation for the Day-Date is clear, as he’s been spotted wearing the impressive Day-Date White Gold Ref. 218239. This discontinued model features a bold black-on-black design with concentric dials and Arabic numerals. Though its unique “blackout” style has drawn some criticism for its practicality, it certainly makes a powerful statement. In fact, as mentioned in our Rolex Day-Date review, this particular version is highly sought after for its daring aesthetic, making it a perfect fit for a champion like Federer.
Datejust “Wimbledon” 126233
The Rolex 126233 that has come to be named after the most famous event in tennis of course makes the perfect watch for someone who has won Wimbledon eight times. While two-tone models are not wildly loved by everyone, this sporty elegance of this piece exudes makes it a serious player.
Rolex Milgauss Ref. 116400GV
In 2012, the then 7-time Wimbledon champ sported one of Rolex’s lesser-known models – the Rolex Milgauss – in a promotional photoshoot. The model, which is known for its antimagnetic properties (it is able to withstand magnetic resonance put out by electronics beyond 1000 gauss, hence the name), and spots a unique green sapphire crystal ring inside of the bezel.
Oyster Perpetual 116000 and 124300
Both these coveted Stella dial homages popped up on Federer’s wrist during Wimbledon in 2021, and of the two Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches we much prefer the green to the yellow, but that’s a matter of personal taste. Again, green just looks great on Federer, and it seems so appropriate to the world of tennis.
