Watch Paparazzi

Boxer Anthony Crolla spotted wearing Rolex

At what appears to be a promotional boxing event in Manchester, lightweight contender Anthony Crolla was caught signing autographs with a striking all-black timepiece on his wrist. The watch is immediately identifiable as a Rolex GMT-Master II, but one that has been taken well beyond Rolex's factory specification — a full blackout custom job executed by British workshop Fantome Noir, specialists in DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) and PVD coating treatments applied to luxury watches.

The base reference is almost certainly the 116710BLNR, the GMT-Master II nicknamed 'Batman' for its two-tone black and blue ceramic Cerachrom bezel insert. Under the Fantome Noir treatment, the Oyster case, crown, bracelet, and all metal components have been coated in a deep matte black finish, while the blue-black bezel ceramic — being ceramic — retains its factory appearance, creating a subtle contrast against the darkened steel. The black dial with luminous Mercedes hands and rectangular hour markers remains legible, and the date window at 3 o'clock is clearly visible showing the 30th. The movement inside is Rolex's calibre 3186, a 28,800 vph COSC-certified automatic with a 48-hour power reserve and Rolex's proprietary Parachrom hairspring.

The 116710BLNR, introduced at Baselworld 2013, was already one of the most sought-after references in the modern Rolex catalogue before any customisation. Its Cerachrom bezel was the first to use two colours in a single ceramic component — a genuine technical achievement. Custom PVD versions like this one appeal to a buyer who wants the mechanical credibility of a Rolex but the visual language of a blacked-out tool watch. It voids Rolex warranty and serviceability through official channels, a trade-off the buyer accepts knowingly.

Anthony Crolla, the former WBA lightweight world champion from Manchester, has long been associated with the city's boxing culture through the Gallagher Gym setup. The 'Crolla – Gallagher – Boxing Gym – Manchester' branding on his tracksuit top confirms the context. His watch choice reflects a taste common among British combat sports figures — Rolex as the status foundation, custom work as the personal statement.

On the grey market, a standard 116710BLNR typically trades between $14,000 and $17,000 depending on condition and papers. A Fantome Noir custom treatment adds a bespoke premium — historically in the £1,500–£3,000 range for the coating work — but simultaneously complicates resale for collectors who prefer factory originality.