Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Jadon Sancho spotted wearing Rolex

Jadon Sancho chose a fitting wrist companion for a milestone night — the 18K Everose gold Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126755SARU, one of the most jewel-laden pieces the Crown currently produces. Sancho scored his first goal for Manchester United that evening, and the watch on his wrist was anything but understated.

The GMT-Master II 126755SARU is built on the same 40mm Oyster case architecture as the steel sport references, but executed entirely in Rolex's proprietary Everose 18K rose gold alloy — an in-house formulation that resists fading over time. Where the standard GMT bezel insert carries a simple two-tone ceramic Cerachrom, the 126755SARU substitutes it for a factory gem-set arrangement of 29 brilliant-cut diamonds alternating with 30 blue sapphires, replicating the classic 'Pepsi' colour split in precious stones. The dial is a full pavé field of diamonds, leaving virtually no metal surface visible. Inside sits Calibre 3285, Rolex's own bidirectional self-winding movement featuring a Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, and a 70-hour power reserve — serious engineering beneath an extremely decorative exterior.

The 126755SARU occupies a specific and somewhat rarefied position in the GMT-Master II family. Collectors distinguish firmly between the sport references — the steel 126710BLNR or 126710BLRO — and the jewellery variants, and opinion divides accordingly. For those who track Rolex's gem-setting craft, however, this reference represents the maison at its most ambitious: it demands hand-setting by specialist Geneva artisans, and production volumes are accordingly limited. It does not appear on Rolex's authorised dealer floors in any meaningful quantity.

Sancho, who has long demonstrated a serious interest in high-end watches beyond the obvious sport references, wore the piece publicly on an emotionally charged occasion. Premier League footballers routinely reach for statement timepieces at key moments, and the 126755SARU — with its rose gold warmth and full gem coverage — reads unmistakably on camera, which is presumably part of the point.

At a UK list price of approximately £85,000 — roughly $117,000 at current rates — the GMT-Master II 126755SARU is already among the priciest catalogue references Rolex produces. The grey market, driven by scarcity and sustained demand from collectors and high-profile buyers alike, has pushed the piece considerably further: current secondary market values sit in the region of $195,000, a premium of roughly 67 percent over retail. For a reference that combines genuine movement quality with factory gem work, that trajectory is unlikely to reverse.