Watch Paparazzi

Singer Ed Sheeran spotted wearing Rolex

Ed Sheeran was recently photographed wearing a stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master reference 16750 on what appears to be its original bracelet — a straightforward, no-statement choice that nevertheless lands squarely in serious collector territory. The five-digit reference sits at a precise and historically significant point in the GMT-Master story, and it is anything but an entry-level vintage pick.

The Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 was produced from approximately 1981 to 1988, bridging the older ref. 1675 and the subsequent ref. 16760 "Fat Lady." Its most consequential specification upgrade was the introduction of the calibre 3075 movement, which brought a quickset date mechanism — a feature absent from the earlier 1675 and one that fundamentally improved daily usability. The case measures 40mm in stainless steel, and the ref. 16750 retains the classic aluminum "Pepsi" bezel insert in red and blue, a material that would eventually give way to ceramic decades later. The acrylic crystal and matte or glossy dial variants give collectors multiple configurations to chase.

Within the vintage Rolex GMT-Master collecting community, the 16750 occupies a compelling middle ground. It lacks the ultra-premium price ceiling of an original 1675 with tropical dial, yet it offers genuine mechanical and historical substance. The calibre 3075's quickset date makes it more wearable than its predecessor, which partly explains why examples in strong condition continue to appreciate steadily. Dial condition, bezel fade, and bracelet originality drive value significantly on this reference.

Ed Sheeran has shown consistent interest in understated, quality-forward watches rather than flashy complications or precious-metal showpieces. The GMT-Master 16750 fits that profile precisely — recognizable to those who know, invisible to those who don't. It is the kind of watch a serious collector wears on a Tuesday.

On the current grey market, clean examples of the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 with original bracelet and strong bezel color trade in a healthy range. As interest in vintage five-digit Rolex references continues to grow among younger collectors, the 16750 remains one of the more accessible yet genuinely rewarding entry points into the GMT-Master lineage.