Watch Paparazzi

Athlete Filippo Magnini spotted wearing Rolex

Filippo Magnini, the Italian freestyle swimming legend who claimed back-to-back 100m freestyle World Championship titles in 2005 and 2007, has been spotted wearing one of the most talked-about sports watches of the modern era: the stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' on Jubilee bracelet, reference 126710BLRO.

Introduced at Baselworld 2018, the GMT-Master II 126710BLRO represented a genuine departure for Rolex. The watch pairs the brand's Cerachrom ceramic bidirectional bezel in blue and red — the colourway that earned the nickname 'Pepsi' back in the 1950s — with a 40mm Oystersteel case and, crucially, the elegant five-link Jubilee bracelet. Prior to 2018, a steel 'Pepsi' GMT had only ever been offered on the Oyster bracelet; the Jubilee pairing was historically the preserve of gold references. The move rewrote the rulebook and immediately drove demand through the ceiling. Powering the watch is the in-house Calibre 3285, featuring a Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and the twin time-zone functionality that defines the GMT-Master line.

From a collector standpoint, the 126710BLRO occupies a unique position. It combines the sporting heritage of the GMT-Master bloodline — a reference born from a 1954 collaboration with Pan American Airways for transatlantic pilots — with a dressy bracelet that broadens its appeal considerably. The reference succeeded the 116710BLNR 'Batman' and the earlier steel 'Pepsi' references that were exclusive to the aluminium-bezel era, making it the most technically accomplished steel Pepsi ever produced. It routinely tops want lists among both entry-level and seasoned Rolex collectors.

Magnini, nicknamed 'King Magno' by Italian fans, is no stranger to the spotlight. A dominant force in world swimming during the mid-2000s, he remains one of the most recognisable faces in Italian sport. His choice of the 126710BLRO aligns with the watch's reputation as a serious piece with broad cultural cachet — equally at home poolside or at a formal dinner.

On the grey market, the 126710BLRO commands a significant premium over its official retail price of approximately €8,600 (around $9,350 USD). Secondary-market prices have softened slightly from their post-pandemic peak but still settle comfortably in the $13,000–$15,000 range, reflecting enduring demand for a reference that waitlists at authorised dealers continue to stretch.