Watch Paparazzi

Royal Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani spotted wearing Rolex

Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, younger brother of the Emir of Qatar and one of the Gulf region's most prominent sporting figures, was photographed wearing a stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126710BLNR on its Jubilee bracelet — the configuration that effectively defined the most talked-about Rolex release of 2019.

Introduced at Baselworld 2019, the GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLNR marked a pivotal moment for the reference. For the first time, Rolex paired the iconic black-and-blue 'Batman' CERACHROM bezel insert — a ceramic bi-colour construction that debuted in 2013 on the Oyster bracelet-only ref. 116710BLNR — with the 20-link Jubilee bracelet, previously associated with dress-oriented Rolex models. The 40mm Oystersteel case houses the Calibre 3285, an in-house movement featuring a Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and GMT complication allowing independent setting of the 24-hour hand. It is a measurable technical improvement over the older Calibre 3186.

From a collector perspective, the 126710BLNR occupies a unique position. The 'Batman' designation had already earned strong aftermarket premiums on the outgoing 116710BLNR, but the addition of the Jubilee bracelet on the newer reference created something of a grail configuration. The Jubilee wears smaller on the wrist despite the identical 40mm case, offering a dressier silhouette that broadens the watch's appeal beyond the tool-watch purist. Waiting lists at authorised dealers remain substantial years after its release.

Sheikh Joaan is well known internationally as president of the Qatar Olympic Committee and a central figure in Qatar's ambitious global sports strategy. His watch choices tend to reflect an understated pragmatism rather than overt ostentation — the 126710BLNR, despite its grey-market premiums, retails in accessible five-figure territory and reads as a working sports watch first, status symbol second. That balance suits his public profile.

At UK list price of approximately £7,150 — translating to roughly $9,000 USD at launch — the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLNR has consistently traded well above retail on the secondary market. Grey-market values have fluctuated but have remained comfortably above list, reflecting sustained demand that shows little sign of cooling as supply from authorised dealers stays tight.