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politicianSpotted May 2023

Politician Abid Raja spotted wearing a Rolex

politician Abid Raja spotted wearing a Rolex
Who & what: Rolex GMT-Master II Two-Tone Oystersteel and Yellow Gold Black Dial Reference 116713LN

Norwegian politician Abid Raja was recently photographed wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II in the classic two-tone configuration, pairing Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold — a combination that has defined the GMT's aspirational tier since the model's earliest days. The sighting is low-key in setting but unmistakable in wrist presence: the gold crown logo on the polo shirt bracket an aesthetic that clearly extends to his choice of timepiece.

The watch on Raja's wrist is consistent with reference 116713LN, produced between approximately 2005 and 2019. The 'LN' suffix denotes the black ceramic (Cerachrom) bezel insert, a significant upgrade from the earlier aluminium units that were prone to fading. The 40mm Oyster case houses Rolex's in-house Calibre 3186, a 28,800vph movement featuring the Parachrom hairspring for improved shock and magnetic resistance, with a 48-hour power reserve. The black dial features the signature luminous dot and baton indices, date window at 3 o'clock with Cyclops lens, and the distinctive two-tone Oyster bracelet with folding Oysterlock clasp — all hallmarks of the reference.

From a collector standpoint, 116713LN represents the final generation of the yellow-gold GMT before Rolex pivoted to Everose gold pairings and the Jubilee bracelet on updated references. That discontinuation in 2019 — when Rolex replaced it with the 126713GRNR featuring the green/black 'Sprite' bezel — immediately elevated secondary-market demand for the black-bezel two-tone variant. It is now considered a transitional classic: modern enough in construction, vintage enough in soul.

Abid Raja has been a prominent public figure in Norway for over a decade, known for his outspoken politics and media presence. His choice of the GMT-Master II aligns with a broader pattern among European politicians and executives who favour Rolex sport references as credible, understated signals of taste — neither ostentatious nor apologetic.

On the grey market, the 116713LN currently trades well above its last known retail price. Dealers list clean examples with box and papers between $16,000 and $19,000 USD depending on condition and service history, making Raja's wrist real estate a sound horological investment as much as a style statement.

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