Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Steven Gerrard spotted wearing Rolex

Steven Gerrard was photographed wearing his brand-new Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 126600 on the day he bought it — one of the more satisfying contexts for a watch sighting, since the enthusiasm of a same-day purchase tends to be genuine rather than purely promotional.

The Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 debuted at Baselworld 2017 as a direct anniversary edition, celebrating 50 years since the original Sea-Dweller's commercial introduction. Rolex used the occasion to make two meaningful technical updates: the case diameter grew from 40 mm to 43 mm, and — most controversially among Sea-Dweller traditionalists — a cyclops magnification lens appeared over the date window for the first time in the model's history. The watch retains its helium escape valve, a 1,220-metre (4,000 ft) water resistance rating, and the calibre 3235 movement with Rolex's Chronergy escapement, offering approximately 70 hours of power reserve. The Cerachrom ceramic bezel is graduated to 60 minutes, and the Chromalight display ensures legibility in low-light dive conditions.

For collectors, the 126600 occupies an interesting position. It is the last single-crown Sea-Dweller before Rolex reintroduced a dedicated 43 mm Sea-Dweller as a permanent catalogue line, and the cyclops lens — divisive at launch — has come to define this generation of the reference. Production continuity means it doesn't carry the rarity premium of its predecessor, but demand for clean, unpolished examples remains steady on the secondary market.

Steven Gerrard needs little introduction in the context of English football. The former Liverpool and England captain is widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, and his watch taste has historically run toward robust, purpose-built pieces rather than jewellery-adjacent complications. The Sea-Dweller 126600 fits that profile precisely — it is, at its core, a working diver that happens to be finished to an exceptional standard.

At UK list price of £8,350, the Sea-Dweller 126600 sits just above the Submariner Date in the Rolex sports hierarchy. On the grey market, authorised dealer wait times have eased slightly compared to peak 2021–2022 demand, and examples trade modestly above retail — a sign of stable rather than speculative interest.