The announcement of Roger Federer’s retirement in mid-September 2022 not only marks the end of a historic chapter for tennis, but also the end of an era for one of the most iconic brand partnerships in the sports world. Since the partnership began, Federer has lifted a trophy wearing one of his Oyster Perpetual Datejust IIs no less than 73 times, and in an article published on the Rolex site, the athlete noted he was wearing one of the brand’s watches when he broke the all-time Grand Slam record in 2009.
The partnership between the Swiss superstar and the Swiss watchmaker began in 2006 when Federer signed a 10-year, $15 million dollar deal – one of the largest endorsements in sports at the time. The partnership was then renewed in 2016 with an alleged $8 million per year deal. Though there is no news yet as to how the relationship between Federer and Rolex will change with his step back from competition, we’re willing to bet that the brand will keep close ties to the champion who has become one of its modern faces (pun absolutely intended).
Not only has the partnership made Federer one of the richest athletes of all time, it has also netted him a Rolex collection that would make any timepiece lover swoon. So let’s take a look at some of the best in Rolex lineup.
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Rolex Daytona 18K White Gold With Meteorite and Black Dial Ref. 116519LN
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. The timepiece, 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 GMT-Master II “LEFTY” Ref. 126720VTNR
Though Federer is most known for wearing Rolexes on the court, his trip to the 2022 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix may give us a taste of what his relationship with the brand will be in his retirement era. Federer was spotted in the Mercedes paddock wearing one of Rolex’s most controversial releases in years — the GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR (Rolex Sprite). The model, which was introduced at this year’s Watches & Wonders event is one of the few in Rolex’s lineup meant for left-handed people — with the crown and the date (a detail that threw many enthusiasts for a loop) on the left side of the watch.
In a rare timepiece misstep, Federer appeared to be wearing his stainless steel GMT-Master II on his right wrist, sacrificing the functionality of the left-handed design.
The Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR retails for $11,250, and is available pre-owned for $29,995.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “ORANGE” Ref. 116588SACO
Though he didn’t compete in Wimbledon 2022 due to a knee surgery, Federer made an appearance at the tournament to celebrate its 100th anniversary decked out in a Rolex fit for the momentous occasion. The athlete was spotted wearing an off-catalog Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Orange” featuring a bezel adorned with 32-baguette cut orange sapphires and a dial featuring the same baguette cut orange sapphires as hour markers. The show-stopping timepiece also featured an Oysterflex bracelet — making for an interesting mix of sporty practicality and all-out luxury.
The rare model is said to retail for $86,750 new, though it is unlikely anyone but Federer has the kind of cashe with the brand to snag one. Similar models retail for upwards of $300,000 on the pre-owned market.
Vintage Rolex Daytona Ref 6263 “BIG RED”
In 2021, Federer was spotted wearing another coveted Daytona model, the Ref. 6263 “Big Red” 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 Ref. 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 Oyster Perpetual 41 Green Ref. 124300
For Federer fans looking for an entrypoint into the Rolex brand, the athlete’s 41mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual with matte green dial is a great place to start. Federer was spotted wearing the timepiece at a 2021 Wimbledon press conference — the green dial being a nice nod to the tournament’s iconic green-grass courts.
Because the 41mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual with matte green dial Ref. 124300 is still currently manufactured by the brand, it tends to fetch lower prices than many of the other watches on this list. You can buy it new for $6,150 and pre-owned for $16,295.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 Yellow Ref. 124300
Federer’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a yellow dial, on the other hand, is a bit of a rarer find. The athlete was also spotted wearing this timepiece at a pre Wimbledon press conference in 2021, and it sports all of the same bells and whistles as the last OP on this list.
The yellow dial, however, was discontinued by the brand in early 2022. Today, you can find pre-owned models starting right around $20,000.
Platinum Rolex Daytona “PLATONA” REF. 116506
In 2019 Federer marked the historic occasion of facing off against the greatest female tennis player of all time, Serena Williams, by sporting his Platinum Rolex Daytona. The ultra-rare model is lusted-after by Rolex collectors — and is notable for its unique icy blue dial and rich chestnut brown bezel.
The Platinum Daytona Ref. 116506 reportedly sells for $75,650 new (though it is listed as “price upon request” on the Rolex site). On the pre-owned market, the model fetches upwards of $120,000.
Rolex Day-Date Everose With Green Dial Ref. 228235
Always the example of sportsmanship, Federer sported an Everose Day-Date Ref. 228235 with an eye-catching green dial as he lost Wimbledon to Novak Djokovic in 2019. The timepiece’s soft green face is again a nice nod to the green grass at Wimbledon, and makes for a sophisticated take on the gold-and-green combination that continues to trend today.
The Day-Date Everose Ref. 228235 with Green Dial retails for $40,350 new, and starting at $60,000 on the pre-owned market.
Rolex Day-Date White Gold Ref. 218239
Federer is clearly a Day-Date lover, as he has also been spotted wearing a bold version of the model — the Day-Date White Gold Ref. 218239. The timepiece, which has been discontinued, features stark black-on-black concentric dials with Arabic numerals. Though criticized for not being the most practical time piece (the “blackout” scheme means the numerals can be hard to see), it is certainly a statement fit for a champion.
The Rolex Day-Date White Gold Ref. 218239 can be found on the pre-owned market for upwards of $40,000.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Ref. 326934
Rolling the clock back to 2018, Federer sported a stainless steel Sky-Dweller with a sunburst blue dial as he celebrated his last Grand Slam (a record 20th at the time) in Melbourne. 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. With its annual calendar GMT movement, it remains one of the brand’s most complex timepieces.
The Rolex Sky-Dweller Ref. 326934 sells for $15,200 new, and similar models can be yours for prices starting at $25,495.
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 timepiece 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.)
You can pick up Federer’s Rolex Everose Sky-Dweller Ref. 326135 for $55,000-$65,000 on the pre-owned market.
Rolex GMT-Master II “BATMAN” Ref. 116710BLNR
Another member of Federer’s stainless steel lineup is the GMT-Master II “Batman” Ref. 116710BLNR, which he’s been spotted wearing multiple times over the years. The timepiece 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.
The current model of the Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” is the Ref. 126710BLNR and it retails for retails for $10,550, but examples of the older Ref. 116710BLNR can be found on the pre-owned market starting at $17,995.
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 “panda” — when the brand first released it at Baselworld in 2016.
If you can snag one new, the model retails for $14,550. But, like all Daytonas, the panda Ref. 116500LN sells for at least twice that on the secondary market.
Rolex Milgauss Ref. 116400GV
In 2012, the then 7-time Wimbledon champ sported one of Rolex’s lesser-known models — the 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.
Rolex Milgauss Ref. 116400GV with green sapphire crystal is available for $9,150 new, and starting at $11,595.
Rolex Day-Date Everose With Brown Dial REF. 228235
To celebrate his 2012 win, Federer chose to pair a sophisticated Day-Date Ref. 228235 with his Wimbledon whites. The timepiece features a soft brown dial and baguette diamond indices that are a perfect, if unexpected complement to the warm Everose case and bracelet.
Rolex still manufactures the Day-Date Everose Ref. 228235 (it’s a classic for a reason), and today it retails for $44,800 new. On the secondary market, collectors can pick one up a similar model without the diamond indices for $54,795. Models with the diamond indices start at about $75,000.
Did we miss any of your favorite Federer Rolex moments? Which model would you most like to add to your collection? Let us know in the comments!
