Footballer Lorenzo Pellegrini spotted wearing a Rolex

Lorenzo Pellegrini, the creative engine behind AS Roma's midfield and a cornerstone of the Italian national team, was recently spotted wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126711CHNR — the watch the collector community almost universally calls the 'Root Beer'. The sighting is entirely consistent with the taste level you'd expect from one of Serie A's most technically refined players.

The GMT-Master II 126711CHNR was introduced at Baselworld 2018 and immediately attracted attention for one very specific reason: its brown and black CERACHROM bezel insert. Rolex had long produced two-tone GMT-Masters in the original 'Root Beer' colour combination on the older 16713 reference, but achieving that warm brown-black gradient in modern ceramic required years of metallurgical development. The result is a 40mm Oyster case blending Oystersteel and Rolex's proprietary Everose gold — an 18-karat rose gold alloy with platinum added for colour stability — with a jubilee bracelet that became the default configuration and a proven calibre 3285 movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 70-hour power reserve, COSC-level precision, and a patented Rolex Chronergy escapement.

From a collector standpoint, the 126711CHNR occupies a peculiar sweet spot. It carries genuine horological credentials, references the most storied chapter of GMT-Master history, and is produced in limited enough quantities to sustain a meaningful premium on the secondary market. Unlike the full-gold variants, the two-tone configuration sits at a price point accessible to serious watch enthusiasts without sacrificing the visual drama of Everose gold applied to the bezel ring, crown, and pushers.

Pellegrini's affinity for the piece fits a pattern visible across European football: technically gifted midfielders with an eye for craft — whether in playmaking or watchmaking — gravitating toward references that reward closer inspection. The 'Root Beer' is not a flashy choice; it is a knowledgeable one.

At an official retail price of approximately $15,650 USD, the 126711CHNR trades significantly above list on the grey market, typically commanding between $22,000 and $26,000 depending on condition and completeness of set. Demand has remained resilient through broader market corrections, underscoring the reference's long-term collector credibility.