Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Thiago Silva spotted wearing Rolex

Veteran Brazilian defender Thiago Silva was photographed wearing what appears to be a Rolex GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' on a Jubilee bracelet, likely during the COVID-era 2020–21 season. The mask bearing the colours of the French flag — consistent with his years at Paris Saint-Germain — dates the sighting to the pandemic period, when the footballer was completing his move to Chelsea FC.

The watch in question is the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126710BLRO, introduced at Baselworld 2018 as one of the most anticipated Rolex releases in recent memory. Built on the calibre 3285 movement — a in-house perpetual with a Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and COSC-certified precision — the 40 mm Oystersteel case houses a black dial with applied hour markers and a GMT hand that independently tracks a second time zone. The defining feature is the bidirectional rotating bezel set with a two-colour blue-and-red Cerachrom insert, achieved through a single-piece ceramic construction using a dual-sintering technique that Rolex developed specifically for this reference.

The return of the Jubilee bracelet to the GMT-Master line was a calculated nostalgia play that landed perfectly with collectors. The original 1675 'Pepsi' GMT of the 1950s and 60s was frequently delivered on Jubilee, making the 126710BLRO feel like a genuine homage rather than a cynical revival. The result is one of the most sought-after references in the current Rolex catalogue, with authorised dealer waiting lists that stretch years in most markets.

Thiago Silva's taste in watches aligns with that of many elite footballers who favour legible, robust sports references that carry serious collector credibility without straying into overt ostentation. The GMT complication also has practical utility for a footballer who splits his time between Brazil, Europe, and global competition fixtures.

On the grey market, the 126710BLRO continues to trade well above list price despite some normalisation post-2022. It remains a benchmark piece in the steel sports watch category and a rational long-term hold for any collection.