Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Vinicius Junior spotted wearing Rolex

Ahead of the Supercopa de España final, Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior was photographed wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126715CHNR — one of the most sought-after sport-luxury watches in the current market. The sighting underlines how elite footballers are increasingly fluent in serious horology, not just brand recognition.

The GMT-Master II 126715CHNR debuted at Baselworld 2018 and immediately rewrote the GMT-Master narrative: it was the first time in the model's entire history — stretching back to 1955 — that Rolex produced the GMT-Master in 18k Everose gold. The 40mm Oyster case pairs with a bidirectional rotatable bezel fitted with a brown and black Cerachrom ceramic insert, a combination that instantly revived the 'Root Beer' nickname previously associated with the vintage ref. 16753, which wore a champagne and brown aluminum bezel in the 1980s. Powering the watch is the in-house calibre 3285, a movement offering a 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and Rolex's Parachrom hairspring — technically a significant step up from the calibre 3186 it replaced.

Among collectors, the 126715CHNR occupies a particular sweet spot. It combines the practical GMT complication — a third time-zone hand and independently adjustable local hour hand — with precious metal construction and a colorway that reads as warm and vintage-inflected rather than flashy. That restraint, paradoxically, makes it one of the harder references to acquire. Waitlists at authorized dealers remain substantial, and the grey market has consistently priced it well above retail since launch.

Vinicius Junior, 23, has become one of football's most marketable personalities following his Champions League and La Liga triumphs with Real Madrid. His watch choices have drawn attention before, and the Root Beer GMT-Master II is a statement that signals genuine collector sensibility — this is not an obvious, entry-level luxury pick.

At an official retail price of $42,500, the Rolex GMT-Master II 126715CHNR in Everose gold sits firmly in the upper tier of the sport watch segment. On the secondary market, demand continues to outpace supply, with grey-market prices consistently running $15,000 to $20,000 above list — a premium that shows little sign of softening.