Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Joao Felix spotted wearing Rolex

Joao Felix, the Portuguese attacking midfielder currently among Europe's most sought-after forwards, was recently photographed sporting one of Rolex's most recognisable sports references: the GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' 126710BLRO on a five-link Jubilee bracelet. The sighting was shared by Mastro Lorenzo Orologi, a trusted dealer within the Mondani Web network, lending the spot an additional layer of credibility.

The Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO is powered by the Calibre 3285, Rolex's proprietary in-house movement featuring a Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus lever and escape wheel, and a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The bidirectional GMT function allows independent setting of the hour hand, making it genuinely practical for international travellers — a feature Felix, who has played for clubs in Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona, and London, would find anything but redundant. The 40 mm Oystersteel case houses a black dial with Mercedes hands, luminous rectangular hour markers, and a date window at three o'clock framed by a Cyclops lens.

The defining feature is the two-colour Cerachrom ceramic insert bezel — red for the AM hours, blue for PM — machined from a single piece of ceramic, a technical achievement Rolex introduced for this specific reference. The reintroduction of the Pepsi colourway in steel, paired for the first time with the classic five-link Jubilee bracelet (rather than the Oyster bracelet of its predecessor), instantly elevated the 126710BLRO to grail status among collectors. Its predecessor, the 116710BLNR 'Batman', had already commanded waiting lists, but the Pepsi surpassed it in desirability almost immediately upon release.

Joao Felix, still only in his mid-twenties, has established himself as a connoisseur of understated luxury — a GMT-Master II fits neatly into that narrative, functional enough for daily wear yet unmistakably premium on the wrist. His choice of the Jubilee variant over the Oyster speaks to an appreciation of the watch's heritage roots.

On the grey market, the 126710BLRO consistently trades well above its official retail price, reflecting persistent demand that Rolex's authorised dealer allocations have never fully satisfied. Collectors continue to regard it as one of the most complete packages in the modern Rolex sports catalogue.