Watch Paparazzi

Royal Abdul Mateen spotted wearing Rolex

Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei has been spotted on the wrist with one of the most talked-about modern Rolex references of the past several years: the GMT-Master II 'Sprite' in Oystersteel, reference 126720VTNR. The prince, known internationally for his style and high-profile presence on social media, chose a watch that is far from an obvious flex — it is, rather, a pointed collector's statement.

Introduced at Watches & Wonders Geneva in 2022, the ref. 126720VTNR immediately distinguished itself as the first southpaw GMT-Master Rolex had ever produced. The crown and crown guards sit at 9 o'clock rather than the traditional 3 o'clock position, making it a genuinely ambidextrous tool watch — or simply a bold aesthetic choice. The 40mm Oystersteel case houses Rolex's calibre 3285, a twin-barrel movement with a 70-hour power reserve, Chronergy escapement, and a Parachrom hairspring offering superior resistance to shocks and magnetic fields. The bidirectional rotatable 24-hour bezel features a two-tone green and black Cerachrom insert — virtually scratchproof and UV-resistant — earning the watch its 'Sprite' nickname, a reference to the soft-drink's colorway.

For collectors, the 126720VTNR occupies a rare category: a reference that is both a genuine technical novelty and a visually distinctive piece in a lineup not always known for dramatic change. The left-crown configuration is not a gimmick; it materially improves wrist comfort when adjusting the time zone hand without removing the watch. That functional logic, combined with the sharp Sprite color scheme, has made this one of the most sought-after steel sports references Rolex has released this decade.

Abdul Mateen, son of the Sultan of Brunei, has cultivated a public image that blends royal heritage with contemporary style. His watch choices tend toward the informed rather than the ostentatious, and the 126720VTNR fits that profile precisely — it rewards those who know what they're looking at.

On the grey market, the Rolex GMT-Master II 'Sprite' ref. 126720VTNR trades well above its official retail price, reflecting persistent demand and constrained authorized dealer supply. The watch retails at approximately $16,100 USD through official channels, but secondary market values have settled significantly higher, underscoring its status as one of the more resilient modern Rolex references currently in circulation.