Tennis player Ben Shelton spotted wearing a Rolex

Ben Shelton, the accomplished American tennis player and left-hander, made a notable appearance at the opening of The Racquet Club at Waldorf Astoria New York on the eve of the US Open, wearing a timepiece that speaks directly to his orientation: the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR-0001 in stainless steel. The left-hand drive variant, colloquially called the 'Sprite' due to its green-black bezel coloring, represents a significant departure from Rolex's traditional approach to sports watch ergonomics.

The Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR-0001 houses the calibre 3285, a self-winding mechanical movement with a 70-hour power reserve and Chronergy escapement. The 40 mm stainless steel case maintains the sport watch's 100 meter water resistance, while the dial—a striking matte black—features luminous applied indices and Mercedes-hand hour, minute, and second displays. The most distinctive feature is the repositioned crown at the 9 o'clock position, inverting the traditional 3 o'clock placement to accommodate left-handed operation. The VerT-NoiR bezel displays a 24-hour GMT function in Rolex's signature green and black ceramic insert, and the watch sits on a matching stainless steel Oyster bracelet with Easylink adjustment.

Rolex introduced the left-hand drive GMT-Master II at Watches & Wonders 2022, surprising the collector community by choosing to retain the date window at 3 o'clock rather than relocating it to 9 o'clock alongside the crown. This design decision preserves symmetry and dial balance while acknowledging left-handed ergonomics. The Ref. 126720VTNR-0001 has become highly sought after despite initial skepticism from right-handed collectors who viewed the 'southpaw' as a collectible novelty.

Shelton's choice reflects both personal practicality and his status as a Rolex testimonee—a role he assumed in 2024. For professional athletes, the GMT-Master II's dual time-zone capability and robust construction align with the demands of international competition. The left-hand drive variant elevates the pairing further, positioning the watch as a functional tool rather than pure sportswear.

On the pre-owned market, the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR-0001 commands prices ranging from approximately $14,500 to $16,500, reflecting steady collector demand. The official Rolex retail price stands at $14,650. Waitlists at authorized dealers remain common, though grey-market availability has improved since the model's 2022 debut. The combination of left-hand ergonomics, technical specifications, and limited production makes this GMT-Master II variant a modern sports watch collectible.