The world is slowly returning to normal following the Covid-19 pandemic, with many events slated for last year now making a highly anticipated return this summer. One such event that many are buzzing about this week is the 2020 UEFA European Championship, which was originally scheduled to take place June 12th – July 12th of last year and will instead make its triumphant return June 11th – July 11th of 2021. Despite being delayed a full year due to the pandemic, the soccer tournament will keep the name UEFA Euro 2020.
The tournament will take place in 11 cities associated with the UEFA (Union of European Football Association), including Munich, Amsterdam, Saint Petersburg, London, and Rome (just to name a few). And while attendance will be limited in accordance with social distancing requirements, fans will still be allowed to attend. Some of the biggest names in soccer will be among those participating in the tournament and if you’re at all familiar with the sport, you might also know that they boast some seriously awe-inspiring watch collections. To celebrate the return of UEFA Euro 2020, let’s take a closer look at what Rolex watches those soccer stars are sporting on their wrists.
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Rolex Yacht-Master II 116689 – Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Yacht-Master II 116689 Key Features:
– Production Years: 2010 – Present
– Case Size: 44mm
– Materials: 18k White Gold & 950 Platinum
– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Programmable Countdown Timer
– Dial: White w/ Luminous Hour Markers
– Bezel: Ring Command, 950 Platinum w/ 10-Minute Scale
– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat)
– Movement: Rolex Caliber 4161
– Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet
– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
Our list kicks off with arguably one of the most impressive watch collections in soccer. With a reported net worth of $500 million, it comes as no surprise that Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo has a remarkable watch collection. He’s been known to indulge in more extravagant watches, such as the Franck Muller 7008 T INV C INV R set with hundreds of diamonds and rubies that some speculate will set you back anywhere between $1.5 – $2 million. His watch box is also home to an iced-out Jacob & Co. Grand Baguette Diamond watch ref. 330.800.30.BD.BD.1BD decorated with 761 diamonds that is worth around $1 million.
However, Ronaldo’s collection isn’t entirely out of reach for most collectors. While he does boast a rather opulent diamond-encrusted GMT-Master II “Ice” ref. 116769TBR dubbed the most expensive Rolex and a sapphire and ruby GMT-Master II ref. 116758SARU, the soccer star also owns numerous Rolex wristwatches that will appeal to the everyday watch enthusiast. Among the most notable are the yellow gold Yacht-Master II ref. 116688, white gold and platinum Yacht-Master II ref. 116689, yellow gold Sky-Dweller ref. 326938, and the Cosmograph Daytona in both stainless steel (ref. 116520) and 18k yellow gold (ref. 116528).
Rolex Submariner 116618LB – Sergio Ramos, Spain
Submariner 116618LB Key Features:
– Production Years: 2008 – 2020
– Case Size: 40mm
– Materials: 18k Yellow Gold
– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display
– Dial: Blue w/ Luminous Hour Markers
– Bezel: Unidirectional, Blue Ceramic Insert w/ 60-Minute Scale
– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)
– Movement: Rolex Caliber 3135
– Water Resistance: 300 Meters / 1,000 Feet
– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
Spanish soccer star and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is one of the top players in the world. While it has since been confirmed that he will be leaving the team on June 30th and will be left off Spain’s roster for Euro 2020 following an injury-plagued season, his luxury watch collection is still worth highlighting, with brands such as Patek Philippe, IWC, Bulgari, and Rolex taking up space in his impressive timepiece collection.
Ramos was recently spotted wearing a White Rolesor Datejust II ref. 116334 with a black dial. The watch has since been discontinued (along with all Datejust II models) but can still be found on the pre-owned market for around $10k. Sergio Ramos’ Rolex collection also includes the coveted Everose Yacht-Master 126655 on an Oysterflex bracelet that retails for $27,300 and a handsome yellow gold Submariner 116618LB with a blue dial and bezel, which is available on the secondary market for around $40k.
Rolex Sky-Dweller 326938 – David Alaba, Austria
Sky-Dweller 326938 Key Features:
– Production Years: 2012 – Present
– Case Size: 42mm
– Materials: 18k Yellow Gold
– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, Annual Calendar, GMT-Functionality
– Dial: Multiple Options Available
– Bezel: Ring Command, 18k Yellow Gold, Fluted Style
– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)
– Movement: Rolex Caliber 9001
– Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet
– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
David Alaba currently plays for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Austria national team. He will join the Austria squad as the team vies the championship title during UEFA Euro 2020. His most recent contract earned him over $14 million/year for the next five years, giving the star soccer player more than enough cash to spend on some seriously enviable luxury watches.
One particular timepiece that caught our eye is Alaba’s yellow gold Rolex Sky-Dweller ref. 326938, which retails for an impressive $46,650. The solid gold watch is just as impressive as Alaba’s soccer career, boasting a 42mm case and matching bracelet in 18k yellow gold and Rolex’s most complex movement yet – the Caliber 9001, which offers both an annual calendar complication and GMT functionality.
Rolex Submariner 116610LV – Karim Benzema, France
Submariner 116610LV Key Features:
– Production Years: 2010 – 2020
– Case Size: 40mm
– Materials: Oystersteel (904L Stainless Steel)
– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display
– Dial: Green w/ Luminous Hour Markers
– Bezel: Unidirectional, Green Ceramic Insert w/ 60-Minute Scale
– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)
– Movement: Rolex Caliber 3135
– Water Resistance: 300 Meters / 1,000 Feet
– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
Karim Benzema, the striker for Spanish soccer club Real Madrid and the France national team is no stranger to the UEFA Champions with over 100 appearances since 2006. Benzema is worth around $70 million and has an impressive luxury watch collection to match, including a number of models from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and (naturally) Rolex.
Even the most experienced watch collectors will be impressed by his impressive Rolex lineup, which includes the cult favorite white gold Submariner with a blue dial and ceramic bezel – aka the “Smurf” (reference 116619). The Smurf Submariner is discontinued but can be found on the pre-owned market for around $40k – $50k. Benzema’s collection also includes the stainless steel Rolex Submariner Hulk (ref. 116610LV), which features a striking green dial and ceramic bezel (also discontinued), and the Cosmograph Daytona in white gold (ref. 116509) with a Mother of Pearl dial. Karim’s watch box also includes an impressive rose gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar and at least two different Patek Philippe Nautilus watches (ref. 5712G in white gold and ref. 5980R in rose gold.
