Watch Paparazzi

Influencer Beibit Alibekov spotted wearing Rolex

Kazakh TikTok star Beibit Alibekov recently posted an unboxing video revealing a brand-new Rolex GMT-Master II 'Sprite' still nestled in its signature green presentation box — the kind of content that reliably sends the watch community into conversation. The crown-left configuration, clearly visible even in the unboxing angle, confirms this is the left-handed reference 126720VTNR, one of the most talked-about Rolex releases of the past three years.

The Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR debuted at Watches & Wonders Geneva in March 2022, making history as the first contemporary Rolex to position the winding crown at 9 o'clock. The decision was driven by real-world ergonomics: wearing the watch on the right wrist — as many left-handed individuals prefer — no longer means the crown digs into the hand. The 40mm Oystersteel case houses the in-house Calibre 3285, a movement featuring a Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and Rolex's Parachrom hairspring. The bidirectional rotatable bezel carries a two-tone black-and-green Cerachrom ceramic insert — virtually scratch-proof and UV-resistant — which earned it the 'Sprite' moniker among collectors, a nod to the soft drink's iconic color palette.

From a collector standpoint, the 126720VTNR occupies a unique position in the GMT-Master II family. It shares the green-and-black bezel with the steel Jubilee-bracelet variant but ships exclusively on the Oyster bracelet. The left-crown configuration makes it genuinely different from any other Rolex in circulation, and that novelty, combined with genuine waitlist pressure, has kept grey-market premiums elevated since launch. It is a watch that collectors either find brilliantly functional or stylistically divisive — rarely anything in between.

Beibit Alibekov commands a substantial following across Kazakh and Russian-speaking TikTok audiences, where luxury unboxing content performs exceptionally well. Receiving a 126720VTNR at or near retail — the official list price sits at approximately $15,200 USD — signals either strong authorized dealer relationships or considerable patience, given that grey-market values hover well above $24,000 USD.

For anyone tracking the GMT-Master II segment, the Sprite's street price has remained stubbornly above double retail since its introduction. Alibekov's unboxing is a reminder that even in 2024, fresh examples of the 126720VTNR arriving in their green boxes still generate genuine excitement — a testament to Rolex's continued ability to manufacture demand as effectively as it manufactures movements.