Watch Paparazzi

Cricketer Shreyas Iyer spotted wearing Rolex

Shreyas Iyer, the India and Kolkata Knight Riders captain and one of the IPL's most decorated modern batsmen, was recently photographed wearing the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126711CHNR — a watch that blends sporting utility with genuine horological pedigree in a two-tone configuration that remains one of the most discussed releases of the current GMT lineup.

Introduced at Baselworld 2018 alongside its full stainless steel sibling, the 126711CHNR pairs a 904L steel case and bracelet with Rolex's proprietary 18k Everose gold — the brand's corrosion-resistant rose gold alloy — applied to the bezel, crown, and bracelet centre links. The defining feature is its two-tone Cerachrom insert in brown and black ceramic, instantly evoking the 'Rootbeer' aesthetic of the reference 16713 that dominated collector conversations for two decades. At 40mm, the case houses the calibre 3285 movement: an in-house manufacture with a 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and Parachrom hairspring, certified as a Superlative Chronometer to ±2 seconds per day.

From a collector standpoint, the 126711CHNR occupies a precise niche. It is the spiritual successor to the 16713 'Rootbeer,' a watch that commands premiums of its own in vintage markets, yet the modern reference updates the concept with ceramic robustness and a far more accurate movement. The Jubilee bracelet option — chosen by Iyer — adds a dressy dimension that makes it equally viable off the field as on. Demand has consistently outpaced supply since launch, keeping grey-market premiums firmly above retail.

Iyer's affinity for Rolex is well established in Indian cricket circles, where GMT models have become something of a calling card among top-tier players who travel internationally for Test, ODI, and franchise cricket across multiple time zones — making the GMT complication functionally relevant rather than merely decorative.

At a UK list price of £11,850, the 126711CHNR sits in the mid-tier of the current GMT-Master II range. On the secondary market, demand for the brown-black Cerachrom bezel configuration keeps prices elevated, reflecting both collector appetite for the 'Rootbeer' aesthetic and the broader strength of two-tone Rolex sports models in the current market.