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John Cena’s Rolex watch collection: the F9 star bared all for the Oscars, going viral in nothing but Birkenstocks and an Explorer II – he also owns a Daytona and a GMT-Master II Batman

John Cena presents the award for best costume design onstage during the 96th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)
No one would have guessed that John Cena would become the most talked-about guest of the 96th Academy Awards.

The professional wrestler-turned-actor stole the spotlight on March 10 when he appeared on stage at the ceremony at Dolby Theatre clad only in Birkenstocks and a Rolex, using an oversized envelope for best costume design to maintain his modesty.

John Cena was the presenter for best costume design at the Oscars in March 2024 – a role that he assumed stark naked. Photo: DPA

The bit, which Cena and host Jimmy Kimmel orchestrated, had stars like Margot Robbie in stitches in the audience, and it became the most viral moment of the night online.

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It also didn’t escape anyone’s attention that Cena’s choice of attire – what little there was of it, anyway – included his trusty Rolex Explorer II. The actor, who had a small role as a merman in last year’s record-breaking blockbuster Barbie, is an emerging watch enthusiast with a select yet impressive Rolex collection.

In fact, Cena is such a big watch guy that he once quipped that he wears two watches: one for time, and one for perspective – this being a Teddy Roosevelt quote.

Here’s a closer look at what else we know about Cena’s collection of luxury watches.

1. Rolex Explorer II

John Cena onstage at the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, wearing nothing but his Rolex and Birkenstocks. Photo: AFP/Getty Images

After last Sunday, the Rolex Explorer II will forever more be the watch most associated with Cena.

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John Cena’s Rolex Explorer II was initially designed for polar explorers, and features a 24-hour scale. Photo: @whatsonthestar/Instagram

Considered by some to be a “holy grail” of timepieces, this iconic steel sports watch is recognisable for its 24-hour bezel, and was designed for those working in places with no light, such as polar or cave explorers, to help them distinguish between day and night. Featuring a special 24-hour orange hand and a brushed steel bezel, it stands up to wear and tear too.

For someone like Cena who’s best known for his physicality and ripped physique, the rugged Rolex Explorer II was a fitting choice to wear on the big stage in front of Hollywood’s elite.

2. Rolex GMT-Master II Batman

This Rolex GMT-Master II Batman was John Cena’s timepiece of choice on his Fast & Furious 9 tour. Photo: @insaneluxurylife/Instagram

Holy ticking timepieces, Batman! This superhero-themed Rolex enjoys immense popularity among watch collectors, due to its guaranteed appreciation in the resale market (it can go for around US$17,000).

It boasts a two-tone Cerachrom bezel in blue and black ceramic and is notable for being the first to integrate two colours into a single ceramic bezel, contributing to its high demand.

To promote Fast & Furious 9, Cena wore an modern upgraded version that replaced its traditional Oyster bracelet with the more elegant Jubilee, aligning it with its sibling watch, the Rolex Pepsi (which features a red and black bezel), while maintaining its distinctive Batman-themed colour scheme on the bezel.

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3 Rolex Daytona Everose

Being a 16-time world champion wrestler doesn’t limit Cena to exclusively sporty, stainless steel watches. The WWE legend has also been spotted making public appearances in a more elegant rose-gold Daytona. This watch blends the pragmatic design of a chronograph with the luxury of rose gold, crafted from Rolex’s own Everose Gold, an 18-karat pink gold alloy that combines pure gold with copper and a hint of platinum.

This choice reflects Cena’s informed taste in high-end timepieces, as it appeals to watch aficionados and certain models can hold a resale value of around US$40,000.

Timepieces
  • Cena, who played a small role in Barbie as a merman, had his co-star Margot Robbie in stitches over the stunt he pulled at the Oscars with talk show host Jimmy Kimmel
  • The pro wrestler-turned-actor seems particularly fond of Rolexes, and has been seen in the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman and Rolex Daytona Everose