A look at what the ultimate tennis champion likes to wear both on and off the court. This is Roger Federer’s Rolex collection.
Defining the greatest tennis player of all time is like choosing the best watch brand in the world. Both tasks are nearly impossible. But it just so happens that Roger Federer and Rolex go hand-in-hand. They also represent the very best of their respective industries.
The famous Swiss Grand Slam winner is also one of the wealthiest sportsmen in the world. He showcases his wealth and fine taste through his affluent luxury watch collection.
Roger is a profound Rolex fan and a loyal ambassador for the brand. He’s also a pretty neat, down-to-earth guy.
I recently watched his documentary “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” and what an emotional tearjerker that was. The documentary outlines the final days leading up to his last game on the court and his prolific 24-year career.
His 1,500 tennis matches tell a story of great successes, heartbreaking failures, and injuries that subsequently led to his retirement. Throughout most of those moments, a trusty Rolex was by his side.
Roger won 20 Grand Slam victories, two Olympic medals and spent 310 weeks ranked as world number one. These achievements are a testament to his sheer grit and determination to be and stay the best. Many would agree that he has accomplished his dream many times.
In this article, we’ll explore the inextricable links between world-class watchmaking and world-class tennis playing. We’ll do it by delving into Roger Federer’s watch collection to discover what made him tick both on and off the court.
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Roger Federer’s Rolex Collection
The document is undoubtedly worth a watch if you haven’t seen it yet. It provides a glimpse into the champion’s home life and the emotional ordeal of his final farewell.
Throughout that hour and a half, you can catch sight of some of his favorite Rolex watches. These timepieces have seen the happiest and saddest moments of his career.
In previous interviews, Federer talked about his affection for the Datejust, Day-Date, and Daytona families.
One piece holding significant sentimental value is his 1981 Daytona model, symbolic of his birth year. The timepiece was a gift from his wife, who required Rolex’s help sourcing the rare piece.
Federer also confirms that the Datejust is his timepiece of choice for training. He likes the watch’s slender ergonomic fit and prefers lightweight steel options over gold iterations. Furthermore, every Rolex watch he wears tells a different story.
He explains that when he looks at many of his watches, he sees Wimbledon. He sees his arms reaching up to the sky, holding the trophy with immeasurable pride. Given the man’s successes, it’s hard to imagine any watch in his collection that wouldn’t evoke such a memory.
6 Highlights of the Roger Federer Watch Collection
The relationship between Roger Federer and Rolex symbolizes one of the world’s largest endorsement deals ever made with an athlete. Here are some of Federer’s favorite timepieces and the milestones he celebrated them with chronologically.
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 228235 (2012)
Federer raised the golden cup in the 2012 Wimbledon final while wearing a distinctive Rolex watch. The Day-Date ref 228235 boasts an indulgent chocolate brown dial and a luxurious 18ct Everose case. Together, the tones are a heavenly match.
One of the key characteristics of the Datejust is its signature President bracelet. Other hallmarks of the design include the fluted bezel and a baguette-cut diamond representing each hour marker.
Rolex still manufactures this popular model, retailing for around $44,800.
Rolex Daytona Ref 116500 (2016)
In the “Twelve Final Days” documentary, Federer wears a Daytona on his wrist. The professional tennis player has several in his collection.
Among these favorites is the “Holy Grail” Platona reference 116506, which has an ice blue dial and chocolate brown sub-dials. Federer has even practiced on the court in this watch.
Another favorite from the series is the Daytona Orange ref 116588SACO. Perhaps one of the most ostentatious of the collection, it boasts orange sapphires and a luxurious yellow gold case.
But the most classic of his Daytona watches has to be this panda dial ref 116500.
It sports the black ceramic tachymeter scale, which Roger began wearing in or around 2015 for various sport-related events.
Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman” Ref 116710BLNR (2017)
Some of the most popular Rolex watches are steel. The GMT-Master II “Batman” is among them. Its fourth hand has undoubtedly proved an excellent feature for athletes traveling from one country to another.
Perfect for tracking a second time zone, the hand indicates the time via a 24-hour track on the bezel. GMT watches like this enable sportsmen like Federer to keep track of time back at home when away from family.
Of course, the watch’s name comes from its unmissable blue and black bi-color bezel, reminiscent of the Dark Night.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Ref 326934 (2018)
For his Grand Slam title in the Australian Open in 2017, Federer wore the Rolex Sky-Dweller in blue. One of the most complex Rolex creations, the Sky-Dweller is technically sophisticated in every sense of the word.
It tracks a second time zone, features a date, and boasts an annual calendar. After winning the Miami Open, Roger wore this sunburst blue dial version, suggesting it’s probably a watch he utilizes regularly.
Rolex Day-Date Ref 228235 (2018)
Something about the combination of a gold case and a green dial appeals to me. Take a look at the Rolex Datejust ref 228235, for example.
This Everose model is a nice nod to Wimbledon’s iconic green color and boasts a 60th-anniversary dial. Federer actually wore this watch in the 2019 Wimbledon final, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. He also wore it the year before that.
This has to be one of the most classic and eye-catching color combinations of the athlete’s collection.
Speaking of green dial watches, Federer owns several others, too. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 Green ref 124300 is another favorite of his.
Federer styled this one out a couple of years later at a Wimbledon 2021 press conference. It is perhaps one of the most understated of his watches, since it’s an entry-point option for anyone looking to start a collection.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yellow Ref 124300 (2021)
Another modestly priced model is the Oyster Perpetual, which Federer owns in the deep green variant. If you can find this one at an AD, it will cost around $6k.
The yellow OP variant, however, is no longer available and fetches almost three times this price on the market. The bright mustard yellow dial is unmissable on the sportsman’s wrist, augmenting his love for classic steel Rolex watches.
My Favorite Roger Federer Wristwatch
I have to mention this Roger Federer wristwatch, as it’s my all-time favorite. It’s also one of the most fitting for the famous Grand Slam winner.
Rolex Datejust Ref 126331
This is the 41mm Rolex Datejust with the “Wimbledon” dial, which Rolex launched in 2009. It features a rhodium dial with vibrant green Roman numeral hour markers that evoke the ground’s lush green courts.
Roger’s often wears the steel and yellow gold model, but current versions like this still exist.
The Oystersteel and Everose gold ref 126331 is still in manufacture today. You can enjoy it on an Oystersteel and Everose bracelet.
The Takeaway: The Stories They Could Tell
Through the victories, the defeats, and the injuries of his career, Federer had many friends beside him. One, of course, was Rolex.
Although the tennis champion may no longer be adding his name to the honor roll, Roger Federer’s love for tennis continues. So does his relationship with Rolex.
Roger Federer’s Rolex collection includes some of the most affordable and expensive timepieces of all time. From entry-level models to gem-set pieces and rare Rolexes, all have a special place in his heart. Most of all, they serve as a reminder of some of the greatest moments in tennis history.
Who will walk out on center court next with a Rolex on their wrist?
If you enjoyed this article, check out our guide to the best watches for tennis here at The Slender Wrist.
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