Watch Paparazzi

Actor Richard Gomez spotted wearing Rolex

Richard Gomez, one of the Philippines' most enduring screen icons and the sitting mayor of Ormoc City in Leyte, was recently photographed wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126710BLRO — the stainless steel 'Pepsi' variant that has consistently ranked among the most coveted watches in the world since its 2018 relaunch.

The 126710BLRO represents a watershed moment in GMT-Master II history. When Rolex debuted it at Baselworld 2018, the combination of the classic red-and-blue 'Pepsi' Cerachrom bezel with an Oyster Perpetual case and — crucially — a five-link Jubilee bracelet was the brand's first such pairing for the GMT-Master line. The 40mm Oystersteel case houses the Calibre 3285, a movement built on Rolex's proprietary Chronergy escapement, delivering a 70-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring, and ±2 seconds per day accuracy. The bidirectional independently adjustable GMT hand allows a second time zone to be tracked without stopping the running seconds.

From a collector standpoint, the 126710BLRO occupies a rare position: it is simultaneously a watch with deep historical resonance — the Pepsi colorway traces back to the original Reference 6542 of 1955, famously associated with Pan Am pilots — and a modern manufacture piece with state-of-the-art finishing. The Jubilee bracelet, with its glidelock clasp and five-piece links, elevated the wearability of the reference significantly over its Oyster-strapped predecessor, the 116710BLNR 'Batman.' Waiting lists at authorized dealers remain long in most markets.

Gomez is no stranger to serious horology. The actor-turned-politician has been photographed with notable pieces over the years, and the GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' fits the profile of a collector who appreciates both heritage and practicality. As mayor of Ormoc City, Gomez balances public life with a media presence that keeps him firmly in the public eye, and the 126710BLRO is precisely the kind of watch that reads well on both a film set and a government function.

On the Philippine grey market, the 126710BLRO is currently valued at approximately 1,500,000 PHP — roughly $26,000 USD at prevailing exchange rates — a meaningful premium over its official Rolex retail price of $10,800 USD. That spread underscores the persistent global demand for this reference and the near-impossibility of securing one through authorised retail channels without an established purchase history.