Watch Paparazzi

Actor Mark Wahlberg spotted wearing Rolex

Mark Wahlberg was recently spotted on the wrist with a Rolex GMT-Master II in 18k yellow gold — reference 116718 — featuring the distinctive green dial variant and black Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert. It is exactly the kind of understated flex that separates genuine watch collectors from red-carpet prop dressers.

The GMT-Master II ref. 116718 was introduced in the mid-2000s as Rolex's flagship precious-metal iteration of its legendary dual-timezone traveler. The 40mm Oyster case is crafted entirely in 18k yellow gold, paired with a bidirectional rotatable bezel fitted with Rolex's own Cerachrom ceramic insert — virtually scratch-proof and UV-resistant — in gloss black. The green dial is a particularly sought-after configuration, lending the watch a richness that the more common black dial doesn't quite match. Inside beats the Calibre 3186, a manufacture movement featuring Rolex's proprietary Parachrom blue hairspring, offering enhanced resistance to magnetic fields and shocks, with a 48-hour power reserve and GMT hand independently adjustable in one-hour increments.

From a collector standpoint, the 116718 occupies a fascinating middle ground. It predates the later ref. 126718GRNR — the so-called "Sprite" bezel gold GMT — which has since stolen much of the spotlight. That makes the 116718, particularly in green dial, a quieter, more classic choice: desirable precisely because it doesn't chase trends. The Cerachrom bezel on a gold case was also a technical statement when launched, signaling Rolex's move away from aluminum inserts across the entire catalog.

Wahlberg is no stranger to serious horology. The Boston-born actor and producer has been photographed with a range of high-end references over the years, and his choices tend toward robust, masculine pieces rather than haute horlogerie showboating. The GMT-Master II fits his profile perfectly — a working man's watch built from working man's gold, if you will.

On the current market, the ref. 116718 in green dial commands a meaningful premium on the grey market, as the reference is discontinued and examples in excellent condition are increasingly scarce. Buyers chasing this specific dial and bezel combination should expect to pay well above the original retail price, with values holding firm as the reference ages gracefully into collectibility.