Footballer Samuel Eto'o spotted wearing a Rolex

Samuel Eto'o was photographed at what appears to be a formal event in or around Monaco wearing a watch that immediately commands attention: the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116758SA, a factory gem-set variant in solid 18k yellow gold. The sighting places one of Africa's greatest footballers firmly in the company of serious watch collectors who favor Rolex's most opulent catalog offerings.

The 116758SA is built on the same Calibre 3186 movement platform as the standard GMT-Master II family, delivering a 48-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring, and the signature independently-adjustable 24-hour hand that made the GMT-Master a tool watch for Pan Am pilots in the 1950s. What separates this reference entirely from the utilitarian origins of the line is its bezel: rather than the ceramic or aluminum inserts found on production models, Rolex's in-house gem-setting department has hand-set baguette-cut blue sapphires and rubies — maintaining the 'Pepsi' red-and-blue bicolor aesthetic — punctuated by white diamond baguettes at the quarter positions. The result is a bezel that retains the iconic GMT visual identity while transforming the watch into a jewel.

Among collectors, the 116758SA occupies a niche position. It is not a watch pursued for technical credentials — those are identical to lesser GMT variants — but rather for its rarity, craftsmanship, and sheer visual impact. Rolex produces these gem-set references in strictly limited numbers, making secondary-market availability sporadic and pricing volatile. The combination of yellow gold and the Pepsi gem bezel gives it a warm, almost baroque presence that resonates strongly in markets from the Gulf to Monaco.

Eto'o's affinity for fine watches is well-documented. Throughout his career at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, he accumulated a collection spanning Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and multiple Rolex references. The 116758SA suits his personal aesthetic — bold, unambiguous, and uncompromising in quality. Wearing it alongside a tailored blue suit at a high-profile event signals a collector comfortable making deliberate sartorial statements.

At retail, the 116758SA listed at approximately $70,000 USD before Rolex's successive price adjustments, but the grey market tells a different story. Secondary prices have climbed steadily, with clean examples trading between $80,000 and $95,000 depending on condition and provenance — a premium that reflects both gem-set scarcity and the enduring demand for yellow gold GMT variants.