Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Luka Modric spotted wearing Rolex

At the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter-final press conference in Qatar, Croatia captain Luka Modric sat composed under the cameras before leading his side to one of the tournament's great upsets — a penalty shootout elimination of Brazil. On his wrist, visible against a crisp shirt cuff, sat a Rolex Datejust 41 in stainless steel, reference M126300-0020, fitted with the Jubilee bracelet and dressed in a mint green dial. The choice said everything about the man: classic, polished, nothing to prove.

The Rolex Datejust 41 ref. 126300 was introduced in 2016 as part of the brand's sweeping Oyster Perpetual family refresh. The case measures 41 mm in Oystersteel — Rolex's proprietary 904L stainless steel alloy — and houses the in-house Calibre 3235 automatic movement. That movement delivers a 70-hour power reserve, Rolex's Chronergy escapement for improved efficiency, and a Superlative Chronometer certification guaranteeing accuracy of +/-2 seconds per day. The smooth bezel on this reference keeps the dial front and centre, and on the M126300-0020 that means a mint green sunburst surface that shifts tone under different light conditions — one of the more distinctive dial options Rolex offers at this tier.

The Jubilee bracelet is original to the Datejust's 1945 debut — the watch itself was the first wristwatch to feature an automatically changing date display. Returning it to the 41 mm case felt natural, and collectors responded warmly. The five-link, centre-brushed bracelet with its Oysterclasp and Easylink comfort extension system wears with a suppleness that the Oyster bracelet doesn't match at this case size.

Modric's affinity for elegant, low-profile watches aligns with his on-pitch personality — technically immaculate, never ostentatious. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner and Real Madrid stalwart is one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation, and the Datejust 41 in this configuration reflects a collector's preference for timeless over trendy.

The Rolex Datejust 41 ref. M126300-0020 carries an official retail price in the region of $9,550 USD, though like virtually all current Rolex steel references it trades well above list on the secondary market. Grey-market prices for this specific mint green dial variant hover around $14,000 USD, reflecting steady demand for uncommon dial colours within one of Rolex's most accessible reference families.