Footballer Karim Benzema spotted wearing a Rolex

Karim Benzema celebrated a Club World Cup triumph with Real Madrid this weekend, and the French striker marked the occasion — and his birthday — with a piece of steel and ceramic that collectors have been chasing for nearly a decade. On his wrist: a Rolex GMT-Master II 'Batman,' reference 116710BLNR, one of the most recognizable sport watches produced in the modern era.

The 116710BLNR debuted at Baselworld 2013 as Rolex's solution to a technical challenge: producing a two-color ceramic Cerachrom bezel insert. The result was a black-and-blue combination achieved through a proprietary dual-firing process that manipulates pigment at the molecular level during kiln treatment. Beneath the 40mm Oystersteel case beats the Calibre 3186, a self-winding movement running at 28,800 vph with a Parachrom hairspring offering superior resistance to magnetic fields and temperature variation. The movement provides a 48-hour power reserve and independently adjustable GMT hand — functional architecture refined for serious travelers.

The 116710BLNR holds a specific place in collector culture. It bridged the era between the polarizing all-black 'Darth' 116710LN and the later 'Batman' on Jubilee bracelet. Purists appreciate the Oyster bracelet pairing on the BLNR, arguing it gives the watch a cleaner, more tool-watch-appropriate profile. Production ceased in 2019, making the reference a finite commodity — and that scarcity has directly shaped its market behavior.

Benzema's watch choices consistently lean toward understated steel sports references rather than precious-metal showpieces, which fits the GMT-Master II's profile as a technically serious watch that wears without ostentation. The birthday-and-trophy combination made for a natural public appearance, and the 116710BLNR held its own in the frame.

On the grey market, the 116710BLNR commands a meaningful premium over its original retail pricing — demand has not softened since discontinuation. Collectors looking for a comparable new option must now consider the 126710BLNR at current retail, but the Oyster-bracelet 'Batman' retains a distinct following that shows no sign of fading.