Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Michael Ballack spotted wearing Rolex

Michael Ballack, one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation, was recently spotted wearing a stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126710BLRO — the iconic 'Pepsi' variant that sits at the top of many serious collectors' wish lists. The sighting adds the German icon's wrist to a growing roster of footballers who favour tool watches with genuine horological pedigree over flashier complications.

The Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO was introduced in 2018 and represented two significant milestones for the Geneva manufacture. First, it marked Rolex's technical breakthrough in producing a two-colour Cerachrom ceramic bezel — the red and blue 'Pepsi' configuration — using a single piece of ceramic with differential colouring achieved through a proprietary sintering process. Previous attempts had required aluminium inserts. Second, and almost as significant to collectors, Rolex paired the 40mm Oystersteel case with the five-link Jubilee bracelet, a combination last seen on the original reference 1675 in the 1970s. The movement inside is the in-house calibre 3285, a bidirectionally jumping GMT hand mechanism with a Chronergy escapement offering approximately 70 hours of power reserve and certified Superlative Chronometer accuracy to ±2 seconds per day.

From a collector standpoint, the 126710BLRO occupies a rare position: a current-production Rolex sports reference that commands a substantial premium on the secondary market despite being actively catalogued. Demand has consistently outstripped Rolex's authorised dealer allocations since launch, making grey-market premiums a persistent reality. The Jubilee bracelet, with its comfort and vintage nod, elevates the 126710BLRO above its Oyster-bracelet sibling the 126710BLNR 'Batman' in the eyes of many enthusiasts.

Ballack's watch sensibility is consistent with his playing style — precise, authoritative, understated. The former Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, and Chelsea midfielder won the Champions League, multiple Bundesliga titles, and the FA Cup during a career that placed him among Europe's elite. He captained Germany to the 2002 World Cup final and remains one of the most respected figures in the modern game.

At UK list price of £7,150, the Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO is technically attainable at retail — if you can find one. On the grey market, demand keeps prices firmly above list, reflecting a watch that combines genuine technical innovation, heritage design, and near-universal desirability.