Singer Eric Clapton spotted wearing a Rolex

Eric Clapton has never been shy about his affection for serious timekeeping. The rock icon was recently spotted on the wrist with a Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116710LN, the Oystersteel sports watch that sits at the core of Rolex's professional catalog and remains one of the most recognized dual-timezone watches in the world.

The GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN debuted at Baselworld 2007 and represented a pivotal technical step for the GMT-Master line. Rolex replaced the long-standing aluminum bezel insert with a single-piece Cerachrom ceramic insert in matte black — virtually scratch-proof, UV-resistant, and chemically stable. The case measures 40mm in Oystersteel and houses the in-house calibre 3186, a self-winding movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 48-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring, and Rolex's own Paraflex shock absorbers. The black dial with Mercedes hands and maxi-case proportions give the watch a purposeful, uncluttered read at a glance.

Among collectors, the 116710LN occupies a comfortable middle ground — more understated than the two-tone 'Batman' or 'Pepsi' variants, yet still carrying the full GMT functionality and the prestige of the ceramic bezel generation. It was succeeded by the calibre 3285-equipped ref. 126710LN in 2019, which pushed the power reserve to 70 hours, making pre-owned 116710LN examples increasingly attractive as entry points into ceramic-bezel GMT ownership without the premium commanded by its successor.

Clapton's relationship with fine watchmaking is well established. He has consigned notable pieces at auction over the years, and his personal taste tends toward classic sports references — watches that carry genuine horological credentials rather than purely decorative ones. The GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN suits that profile precisely: tool-watch lineage, jet-set utility, no unnecessary flourish.

On the current market, the Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN trades comfortably above retail on the grey market, sustained by consistent global demand and the model's discontinued status. Collectors and buyers should expect to pay a meaningful premium over the original list price for clean, full-set examples.