Footballer Achraf Hakimi spotted wearing a Rolex

Achraf Hakimi, one of European football's most dynamic fullbacks, was recently spotted wearing a timepiece that stopped even seasoned watch collectors mid-scroll: the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116749, presented in 18-carat white gold on a Jubilee bracelet — a combination that places this watch firmly at the intersection of haute horology and rarified collecting.

The GMT-Master II ref. 116749 is built around Rolex's calibre 3186, a self-winding movement featuring the brand's proprietary Parachrom hairspring for enhanced resistance to magnetic fields and shocks. It beats at 28,800 vph and offers a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. The 40mm case is crafted entirely in 18-carat white gold, and the bezel — typically a defining feature of any GMT-Master — is here set with alternating black and blue sapphires: six of each, creating a two-tone gem-set chapter ring that replaces the standard Cerachrom or aluminium insert. The black dial underneath adds depth and contrast. The Jubilee bracelet on this specific example is a notable detail; most gem-set GMT references of this era shipped on Oyster bracelets, making the five-link Jubilee configuration a genuinely rare variant.

From a collector standpoint, the 116749 occupies a distinct niche. It is neither a straightforward sports watch nor a conventional dress piece — it is a grand complication in disguise, appealing to buyers who want the mechanical credibility of the GMT-Master platform without compromising on precious materials. Production numbers were limited, and the gem-set bezel variants surface infrequently on the secondary market. This is precisely the kind of reference that disappears quietly into private collections and resurfaces years later at a significant premium.

Hakimi, whose career has taken him from Real Madrid's academy through Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and now Paris Saint-Germain, has built a reputation as one of the sport's most stylish figures off the pitch. His choice of the GMT-Master II ref. 116749 suggests a collector's eye rather than a stylist's brief — this is not a watch you stumble across in a boutique window.

On the grey market, examples of the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116749 in white gold with gem-set bezels are commanding prices in the region of $75,000 USD, reflecting both the intrinsic value of the materials and the scarcity of the reference. Official retail pricing, where available through authorised dealers, sits considerably lower — though securing one through official channels has never been straightforward.