Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo spotted wearing Rolex

Cristiano Ronaldo has never been shy about wearing serious horology, and a recent sighting confirmed he reached for one of the most ostentatious pieces in his well-documented arsenal: the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116758SARU in solid 18kt yellow gold, complete with a factory gem-set bezel alternating natural blue sapphires and red rubies in the classic Pepsi color scheme.

The 116758SARU sits at the extreme end of the GMT-Master II family. Where the standard steel Pepsi references — the 16710 and later the 126710BLRO — built their reputations as robust pilot and traveler watches, Rolex took the same 40mm Oyster case and Cal. 3186-equipped architecture and translated it into a full yellow gold construction. The bezel, normally occupied by a two-tone ceramic or aluminum insert, is here replaced by 24 baguette-cut blue sapphires and 18 round rubies, set by Rolex's in-house gem-setting atelier. The Calibre 3186 beating inside offers GMT complication, Parachrom hairspring for antimagnetic and shock resistance, and approximately 50 hours of power reserve.

From a collector standpoint, the 116758SARU occupies a peculiar and fascinating position. It is not a watch serious tool-watch purists typically chase — the gem-set bezel removes it entirely from the utilitarian tradition that defines GMT-Master collecting. Instead, it functions as an haute joaillerie statement piece dressed in the silhouette of a professional instrument, a duality Rolex executes with genuine craft. Production numbers are limited relative to steel references, and examples appear infrequently at auction.

Ronaldo's affinity for Rolex is well established. From diamond-paved Day-Dates to high-complication Patek Philippe pieces, the Portuguese forward has consistently worn watches that reflect both personal taste and significant financial investment. The 116758SARU is precisely the kind of piece that suits his public aesthetic — instantly recognizable in form, extraordinary in execution.

At a UK list price of approximately £65,000, the Rolex GMT-Master II 116758SARU commands a substantial premium even at retail. On the secondary grey market, demand from collectors seeking gem-set gold Rolex sports models has kept values firm, with examples trading at or above retail depending on condition and documentation.