Footballer Luka Modric spotted wearing a Rolex

Luka Modric, the Real Madrid and Croatian national team midfielder widely regarded as one of the finest players of his generation, was recently spotted wearing the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116710BLNR — the model collectors and enthusiasts know simply as the 'Batman.' The sighting is consistent with Modric's broader aesthetic: precise, purposeful, nothing wasted.

Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II 116710BLNR in 2013 at BaselWorld, marking a genuine technical milestone: it was the first time the Swiss manufacturer produced a two-tone Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert in a single piece. Blending black and blue within one injection-moulded ceramic component required significant manufacturing innovation, and the result — a deep midnight blue melting into jet black across the 24-hour graduated bezel — gave the watch an instantly recognisable identity. The 'Batman' nickname stuck within hours of the unveiling. Powering the 40mm Oystersteel case is the Calibre 3186, a movement featuring a Parachrom hairspring for enhanced shock and magnetic resistance, offering a GMT complication that allows the wearer to track a second time zone independently of the main hour hand. Power reserve sits at approximately 48 hours.

The 116710BLNR occupies a particularly interesting position in Rolex collector culture. Discontinued in 2019 and replaced by the upgraded 126710BLNR — which introduced the Jubilee bracelet option and Calibre 3285 — the original 'Batman' reference has since become a sought-after secondary-market piece. Its discontinuation transformed it from an impossible-to-buy boutique grail into a collectable with a defined production window, increasing its appeal among serious enthusiasts.

Modric, a Ballon d'Or laureate in 2018 and five-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid, has long projected an image of measured sophistication off the pitch. The GMT-Master II 116710BLNR suits that persona precisely — it is not a flashy complications watch, but a robust, legible, historically significant sports watch with genuine horological substance.

On the grey market, the Rolex GMT-Master II 'Batman' 116710BLNR consistently commands a meaningful premium over its original retail price, reflecting both its discontinued status and enduring demand. Collectors looking to acquire one should expect to pay substantially above list on the secondary market, making any unworn or well-preserved example a genuinely appreciating asset.