Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Riyad Mahrez spotted wearing Rolex

Riyad Mahrez, the mercurial Manchester City and Algerian national team winger, was recently spotted wearing what is arguably one of the most recognizable discontinued Rolex references of the modern era — the GMT-Master II 116710BLNR, universally known among collectors as the 'Batman.'

Introduced at Baselworld 2013, the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116710BLNR was the first GMT-Master to feature a two-color Cerachrom ceramic bezel, pairing a midnight blue 24-hour half with a gloss black 12-hour half. The case measures 40mm in Oystersteel, fitted on Rolex's Oyster bracelet with the Glidelock extension clasp. Power comes from the Calibre 3186, a COSC-certified movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 48-hour power reserve, featuring Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers for enhanced precision and resilience. The bidirectional 24-hour bezel allows wearers to track a second timezone at a glance — the watch's core professional function.

Rolex discontinued the 116710BLNR in 2019, replacing it with the reference 126710BLNR — a subtly updated model riding on the new five-link Jubilee bracelet with the upgraded Calibre 3285. That discontinuation transformed the 'Batman' from a popular catalogue piece into an actively hunted collector's reference virtually overnight. Grey-market premiums spiked sharply, and the watch has held elevated secondary values ever since, buoyed by its distinctive aesthetics and the deep nostalgia the Cerachrom bezel colorway inspires.

Mahrez has consistently shown an eye for serious horology off the pitch. The 'Batman' sits comfortably within a sportsman's wardrobe — robust, legible, and instantly recognizable without being ostentatious. For a footballer at the highest level of the Premier League, wearing a discontinued Rolex steel sports reference rather than a bejeweled novelty piece signals genuine collector awareness.

At its last known UK list price of £6,850, the 116710BLNR was already a premium proposition. On today's grey market, demand for discontinued 'Batman' examples remains strong, with clean, well-documented references trading at meaningful premiums above original retail. Buyers chasing an unworn or early-production example should expect to pay considerably more.