Politician Rowena Guanzon spotted wearing a Rolex

Rowena Guanzon, the Filipina lawyer and former COMELEC Commissioner known for her combative public persona and landmark electoral rulings, was recently spotted wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' in stainless steel, reference 126710BLNR — a watch that carries as much weight in collector circles as Guanzon herself carries in Philippine jurisprudence.

The Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLNR was unveiled at Baselworld 2018 and immediately became one of the most talked-about releases in modern Rolex history. The key story was the return of the iconic red-and-blue 'Pepsi' bezel in stainless steel — a combination Rolex had withheld from the metal since transitioning the colorway exclusively to white gold in 2005. The 40mm Oyster case houses Rolex's proprietary Calibre 3285, a movement featuring the Chronergy escapement, a 70-hour power reserve, and a independently adjustable GMT hand that allows the wearer to track a second time zone without disrupting the local time setting. The Jubilee bracelet, featuring the Oysterclasp and Easylink comfort extension, adds a dressy finish that distinguishes it from the Oyster-bracelet variant.

From a collector standpoint, the 126710BLNR occupies a unique position: it is simultaneously a sports watch, a travel tool, and a grail piece for enthusiasts priced out of the white gold 126719BLRO. Waitlists at authorized dealers remain years long in most markets, making any retail acquisition a matter of considerable luck or loyalty. The watch's Cerachrom bezel resists fading and scratching in a way that the original aluminum inserts never could, adding durability to desirability.

Guanzon, who served as COMELEC Commissioner from 2018 to 2022 and became a nationally recognized figure during the Philippines' contentious electoral periods, is no stranger to public scrutiny. Seeing a GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' on her wrist is a notable sighting — the reference skews toward finance executives and seasoned collectors rather than the political class, making it an unexpected but entirely credible choice.

On the secondary market, the Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR commands a significant premium over its retail price, reflecting sustained global demand. Buyers unwilling to navigate dealer relationships routinely pay well above list, and values have remained remarkably stable even as the broader luxury watch market has cooled from its 2021–2022 peaks.