Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Luka Modric spotted wearing Rolex

Luka Modric, widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation and the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, was recently spotted wearing a stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126710BLRO — the celebrated 'Pepsi' variant on its signature Jubilee bracelet. It is a choice that signals genuine horological taste rather than mere status dressing.

The 126710BLRO sits at the pinnacle of Rolex's GMT-Master II lineup in steel. Introduced at Baselworld 2018, it marked the first time Rolex had placed the red-and-blue Cerachrom bezel — a colour combination dating back to the original 1675 'Pepsi' of 1954 — onto the Jubilee bracelet in steel. The 40mm Oystersteel case houses the in-house Calibre 3285, a technically significant movement featuring the Chronergy escapement for improved energy efficiency, a 70-hour power reserve, and Rolex's Parachrom hairspring. The bidirectional independently adjustable GMT hand allows quick timezone changes without stopping the movement — the feature that made the original GMT-Master the choice of Pan Am pilots.

From a collector standpoint, the 126710BLRO occupies a unique position. After the steel Pepsi GMT disappeared from the catalogue in 2007, demand built for over a decade. Its 2018 return — and specifically the decision to pair it with the dressy Jubilee rather than the sportier Oyster bracelet — created a moment. The Jubilee's five-piece links soften the watch's profile considerably, making it equally at home with a suit or casual wear. Waitlists at authorised dealers remain notoriously long, making grey-market premiums a persistent reality.

Modric's affinity for quality timekeeping is well documented among watch spotters. The Croatian captain's understated elegance off the pitch mirrors his playing style — precise, unhurried, effective. The Pepsi GMT on Jubilee suits that profile exactly: a tool watch with genuine heritage, worn without ostentation.

At UK list price of £7,150, the 126710BLRO remains technically accessible by luxury standards, but scarcity drives grey-market values significantly higher. Demand shows no structural signs of softening, and the reference continues to trade at a meaningful premium over retail globally.