Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Neymar Jr spotted wearing Rolex

Neymar Jr had every reason to celebrate, and his wrist said as much. Following PSG's Champions League semi-final victory over RB Leipzig, the Brazilian forward was photographed sporting one of Rolex's most opulent production references: the GMT-Master II 126755SARU in 18K Everose gold. Few watches in the current Rolex lineup carry this level of factory gem-setting, and fewer still sit at the intersection of genuine horological pedigree and outright jewellery excess.

The 126755SARU sits at the absolute top of the GMT-Master II hierarchy. Rolex set the 40mm Everose gold case with a bezel carrying 29 round-cut diamonds alternating with 30 sapphires — the blue stones echoing the traditional blue/black 'Batman' colour scheme, here rendered in precious stones rather than ceramic. The dial is a full diamond pavé, each hour marker replaced by individually set brilliants. Powering it is the calibre 3285, Rolex's in-house GMT movement featuring a Chronergy escapement, variable inertia balance wheel, and a 70-hour power reserve — COSC-certified and accurate to ±2 seconds per day. The Oyster case offers 100 metres of water resistance, and the Jubilee bracelet in Everose gold completes the package.

The GMT-Master II 126755SARU is not a watch that courts the understated collector. It is, however, a significant piece: Rolex produces gem-set references in tightly controlled numbers, and factory provenance matters enormously in this segment. Unlike aftermarket diamond modifications — which remain common in celebrity circles — this reference leaves Geneva already wearing its stones, with full manufacturer warranty intact. That distinction alone places it in a different category for serious collectors.

Neymar has long been one of football's most visible watch collectors, regularly photographed with high-complication pieces from Patek Philippe and Richard Mille alongside Rolex. A Champions League final appearance is precisely the kind of milestone that warrants reaching for the most significant piece in the collection, and the 126755SARU qualifies without argument.

At UK list price of approximately £85,000 — translating to roughly $107,000 at current exchange — the 126755SARU commands a substantial premium over steel GMT variants. On the secondary market, gem-set Rolex references in Everose gold trade at or above retail, given their scarcity and the enduring demand for factory-set stones. For buyers who want GMT functionality without compromise on spectacle, there is no further to go within the official Rolex catalogue.