Watch Paparazzi

Footballer David Beckham spotted wearing Rolex

David Beckham was recently photographed on two separate occasions wearing what appears to be a vintage Rolex GMT-Master, most likely a reference 1675, mounted on a leather bund strap — a pairing that immediately caught the attention of watch spotters and collectors alike. The sightings show the watch on Beckham's heavily tattooed right wrist, the warm brown tones of the dial harmonising naturally with the leather strap beneath it.

The Rolex GMT-Master 1675 was produced from approximately 1959 through to 1980, making it one of the longest-running references in the GMT-Master lineage. Powered by the calibre 1565 and later the 1575 automatic movement, the 1675 featured a 40mm Oyster case in stainless steel, a two-tone red and blue or all-black Pepsi/Coke bezel in acrylic, and the signature pointed crown guards that collectors refer to as 'cornino.' The brown sunburst dial visible here suggests this may be a tropical variant — a naturally aged dial that has shifted from its original black, commanding significant premiums in today's market.

The bund strap — a wide leather base strap with a cut-out for a standard strap — was originally designed for military aviators and motorsport drivers, providing insulation and comfort during high-altitude or high-speed conditions. Pairing a vintage GMT-Master 1675 with a bund strap is a deeply considered collector move, popular in European vintage watch circles and increasingly prevalent among style-conscious wearers who understand the watch's origins.

Beckham has long maintained a serious watch collection spanning Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. His choice to wear a vintage reference rather than a modern ceramic-bezel GMT-Master II speaks to a refined collector sensibility — he is clearly drawn to patina, provenance, and history over contemporary novelty.

On the grey market, a clean Rolex GMT-Master 1675 with original dial and correct parts trades between $12,000 and $30,000 depending on condition and dial configuration. A genuine tropical dial example pushes well beyond that ceiling, sometimes exceeding $50,000 at specialist auction. This is not a watch worn for its price tag — it is worn for its story.