Watch Paparazzi

Tennis player Roger Federer spotted wearing Rolex

Roger Federer was spotted wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116710BLNR — universally known among collectors as the 'Batman' — in the wake of his Australian Open title, adding another layer of symbolism to an already celebrated moment. The sighting is consistent with Federer's long-standing association with Rolex, a relationship that dates back to his earliest years on the professional circuit.

The GMT-Master II 116710BLNR debuted at Baselworld 2013 and represented a genuine technical milestone for Rolex: it was the first time the manufacture produced a two-tone ceramic Cerachrom bezel insert, fusing blue and black in a single piece without resorting to lacquer or anodizing. Housed in a 40mm Oyster case in 904L stainless steel, the watch runs on the in-house calibre 3186 — a self-winding movement with a GMT complication, Parachrom hairspring, and a 48-hour power reserve. The Jubilee bracelet option, later added to the reference, made the 116710BLNR even more desirable, though early examples on Oyster bracelets remain deeply collectible.

From a collector's standpoint, the 116710BLNR sits in a rare position: it is simultaneously a tool watch with genuine pilot and traveller credentials and a grail-tier grey-market asset. Production was discontinued in 2019 when Rolex replaced it with the 126710BLNR, which runs the updated calibre 3285. The outgoing 'Batman' reference immediately appreciated on the secondary market upon discontinuation, cementing its status among the most sought-after steel Rolex references of the 2010s.

Federer's relationship with Rolex is among the most organic in professional sports — he became a Rolex ambassador in 2006 and has worn the brand consistently across tournaments, press appearances, and personal moments. Spotting him in a 116710BLNR rather than a bespoke or high-complication piece reflects a grounded sensibility; this is a watch a serious collector chooses, not merely a marketing placement.

At retail, the 116710BLNR listed at approximately £6,550 in the UK during its production run. On today's grey market, discontinued examples trade at a significant premium, with well-preserved references regularly changing hands between $15,000 and $18,000 USD depending on condition, papers, and bracelet configuration.