Footballer Lautaro Martínez spotted wearing a Rolex

Lautaro Martínez, the Argentine forward who lifted the Copa América and Serie A title with Inter Milan, was recently photographed wearing the Rolex Air-King reference 116900 — a watch that occupies a quietly distinct corner of the Rolex catalogue, often overshadowed by its sportier siblings yet consistently respected by those who know it.

The Rolex Air-King 116900 was reintroduced in 2016, effectively rescuing a nameplate that dates to the 1940s, when Rolex produced watches for RAF pilots during World War II. The current iteration measures 40mm in Oystersteel and features one of the most visually assertive dials in the brand's lineup: a black face with a mix of Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9 in two different typefaces, a seconds scale on the outer track, and the bold 'Air-King' inscription in green. It is deliberately retro without being a reissue.

Under the case, the 116900 houses the calibre 3131, a movement Rolex developed specifically for this reference and the Milgauss. Its defining technical feature is a Parachrom hairspring — crafted from a paramagnetic niobium-zirconium alloy — making it highly resistant to magnetic fields and temperature variation. The movement is certified as a Superlative Chronometer, guaranteeing accuracy to ±2 seconds per day.

Among collectors, the Air-King 116900 holds a reputation as an honest, unfussy entry into the Rolex sports family. It sits below the Explorer and Submariner in terms of secondary market frenzy, which paradoxically makes it more accessible and, for many, more interesting. Its aviation DNA and movement specification give it a genuine identity beyond simply being an entry-level option.

For a footballer of Martínez's stature — World Cup runner-up, Champions League winner, and one of Europe's highest-earning strikers — the Air-King reads as a deliberate choice rather than a default. At an official retail price of around $7,550, it sits modestly within his range, suggesting an appreciation for the piece on its own merits rather than as a status statement.