John Mayer Rolex Collection

John Mayer is easily the most influential watch collector in the entertainment industry. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is a true student of watches, with a range of both popular styles and impossible-to-find treasures in his collection.

When John talks, the industry listens. In fact, some of the watches that got his seal of approval – such as the green dial Daytona and Rainbow Daytona – have become celebrity favorites. John’s collection includes greats like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and IWC – but for now, we’re putting the spotlight on his Rolex collection.

Check out our top picks from the Rolex watches of John Mayer.

John was one of the first to get the stainless steel Rolex Daytona 116500LN on his wrist. This much awaited reference was the first instance of a steel Daytona with a Cerachrom bezel, and it sure sent the watch world abuzz. Today, it is still one of the most sought after models of the Daytona. It has a years-long waitlist at AD’s, but is available in limited quantities at SwissWatchExpo.

John Mayer has a knack for spotting “sleeper hits” – unique pieces with grail watch potential, that collectors have yet to notice. One such watch was the Rolex Daytona Green Dial 116508. When Mayer reviewed it on watch website Hodinkee, it immediately spiked in demand and value.

Its emerald-colored dial not only stands out among black and champagne-dialed gold Rolex Daytona watches, it’s also in a shade that’s unlike any found on green Rolex watches. The “Christmas” green shade and the sunburst finish creates a stunning effect.

The brother of the green dial Daytona is the white gold – blue dial Daytona, which John also has in his collection. He especially loves the solid gold finish paired with a bright dial.

John wears another celebrity favorite from the Rolex Daytona line – the ‘Rainbow’ Edition Daytona. As its name suggests, it features multi-coloured baguette-cut sapphires that form a glittering rainbow around the bezel. It also glitters with white diamonds on the lugs and crown guards. Offered in yellow, white, and Everose gold, John owns both the yellow and white gold versions.

John also has a bevy of Rolex GMT-Master II watches in his collection, all modern iterations with the Cerachrom ceramic bezel.

First on the list is the original Rolex Batman from 2013. The Batman was the first instance of a two-colored ceramic bezel, made from a single block of ceramic. The process was once thought of as impossible but Rolex sure outdid themselves with the Batman.

From the Rolex Pepsi collection, John wears the 18k white gold version launched in 2014. Aside from being the first Pepsi model made from precious metal, it also came with a host of other updates: first is the Cerachrom ceramic bezel which replaced the previous aluminum material, then the Triplock waterproofness system, and larger lume plots care of its Maxi Dial.

John also sports one of the most versatile GMT-Masters that Rolex has produced to date. The ref 116710 comes with a stainless steel body and a black ceramic GMT bezel and matching dial. The last of the GMT-Master II watches to feature a single color bezel insert, this model was discontinued in 2018, but is still very much sought after by collectors.

The most oustanding pieces in John Mayer’s collection are his vintage Rolex Daytona watches. One of them is a Paul Newman Daytona ref 6264, with an unusual white dial and white minute track. Named after the most bankable movie star of the 1950s who loved his “exotic dial” Daytonas, Paul Newman models have art deco-style fonts and harsh marks with small squares on the sub-dials. (watch photo: Christies)

Also in his watch box are two seldom seen vintage yellow gold, diamond dial Daytonas. One of them is a ref 6269 with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel, 240 brilliant-cut diamonds on the dial and hour markers that include nine brilliant-cut sapphires.

Even mightier than that is a ref 6270 with baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel, a pave diamond dial and a bluish tone on the sub-registers. Made for the Sultan of Oman, there are only six of these known to exist. (watch photo: Christies)

Of course, the Rolex Submariner won’t be missing from his collection. He has a wide range of vintage Submariners, including one very esoteric choice: a reference 5514 made for the French dive company COMEX.

On the surface, it looks like one of the famous ref 5513 with a matte dial and grey faded bezel. But on its side, you’ll see it’s got a small little dot  – a helium escape valve not seen on the regular Submariner. This model was made exclusively for COMEX and not sold to the public. (watch photo: Christies)

For his modern Rolex Submariner, John Mayer prefers one with the luxe treatment. He wears the Rolex Smurf – the first Rolex Submariner to come in solid 18k white gold. Aside from the precious metal finish, what makes it even more striking is the all-blue Cerachrom bezel and lacquered blue dial, which earned it its playful nickname.

Completing John’s collection is Rolex’s flagship watch – the Rolex President Day-Date. John’s choice is a platinum model, which adds heft and an understated presence on the wrist. It also comes with a glacier blue dial, which Rolex reserves only for watches made in platinum. Completing the look are brilliant- and baguette-cut diamond hour markers.