Watch Paparazzi

Comedian Paul Chowdhry spotted wearing Rolex

Paul Chowdhry, one of the UK's most recognisable stand-up comedians, was recently photographed wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116710LN — the clean, monochromatic 'blackout' variant of Rolex's legendary two-timezone sports watch. The sighting adds Chowdhry to a growing list of British entertainers who favour understated Rolex sports references over flashier haute horlogerie.

Introduced at Baselworld 2007, the GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN marked a decisive turning point for the collection. It was the first GMT-Master to feature Rolex's proprietary Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert, replacing the older aluminium unit. The all-black ceramic bezel — as opposed to the two-tone red-and-black 'Pepsi' or red-and-blue configuration — gives the watch a singular, tool-watch severity. The 40mm Oyster case in 904L stainless steel houses the calibre 3186 automatic movement, offering a 48-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring for improved shock and magnetic resistance, and a separately adjustable GMT hand for independent hour-setting — essential for frequent travellers.

The 116710LN was produced until approximately 2018-2019, when Rolex phased it out in favour of the updated ref. 126710BLNR and the subsequent calibre 3285-powered generation. That production discontinuation has only sharpened collector interest in the older reference. Among enthusiasts, the 116710LN occupies a precise niche: serious enough to satisfy purists who prefer the subtlety of a mono-colour bezel, accessible enough that it never carried the waiting-list mythology of the 'Pepsi' or 'Batman' variants during its production run.

Paul Chowdhry built his reputation on no-nonsense, direct humour — and the GMT-Master II 116710LN is, in its own way, a no-nonsense watch. It does not announce itself with colour or complication. It tells two time zones, resists the elements, and ages without drama. For a comedian who built his brand on authenticity rather than spectacle, the choice reads as entirely consistent.

On the grey market, the 116710LN has appreciated meaningfully since discontinuation. Examples in excellent condition regularly trade above their original retail price, reflecting both the reference's pedigree and the broader secondary-market strength of discontinued Rolex steel sports references. It remains a benchmark entry point into serious Rolex GMT collecting.