Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Neymar Jr spotted wearing Rolex

High above Dubai's coastline, Neymar Jr flashed a peace sign and his signature grin — and on his wrist, the watch world's most-talked-about release of 2022: the Rolex GMT-Master II 'Sprite,' reference 126720VTNR. The setting is quintessentially Neymar: luxury backdrop, relaxed posture, and a timepiece chosen as much for provocation as prestige.

The 126720VTNR is a technically and aesthetically significant departure for Rolex. Introduced at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2022, it carries a 40mm Oyster case in Oystersteel with the crown repositioned to the left side at 9 o'clock — a configuration last seen on a production GMT-Master in the 1960s 'Destro' prototypes. The bidirectional two-tone Cerachrom bezel combines matte black and vivid green ceramic segments, earning the immediate 'Sprite' nickname from collectors. Inside beats the calibre 3285, Rolex's in-house movement offering a 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and ±2 seconds/day precision. The Jubilee bracelet — new to this ref — adds a dressier silhouette.

The watch sparked genuine debate at launch. Traditionalists questioned the southpaw crown placement for a right-handed wearer; enthusiasts celebrated its bold design language and the callback to GMT history. Either way, demand immediately overwhelmed supply. Grey-market premiums surged past double retail within months of release, cementing its status as one of the most coveted modern Rolex references.

Neymar Jr has long demonstrated a refined if ostentatious approach to watches. His collection spans diamond-set Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks to bespoke Patek Philippe pieces, but the 'Sprite' signals a deliberate nod to collector culture — this is not merely a luxury flex but a reference with genuine horological talking points. That Neymar reached for it during a Dubai trip, rather than a heavier jewellery piece, suggests he understands the watch's cachet within enthusiast circles.

At an official retail price of approximately $12,150 USD, the 126720VTNR is theoretically accessible — but practically unobtainable through authorized dealers. The grey market places it firmly north of $50,000, making Neymar's wrist real estate entirely consistent with his nine-figure net worth and taste for pieces that generate conversation.