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Top 5 Rolex Watches to Ring in the New Year
Well, Christmas’s wonderful overindulgence is at an end, and all that’s left is to celebrate the arrival of the New Year with a spot of overindulgence.
Personally, I’ve always preferred the end-of-the-year bash to the Xmas festivities—not only is it a time to properly let your hair down (if you have any), the NYE revelries can take on a whole variety of different forms; everything from the casual get-together to the swanky black tie event to the raucous, booze-soaked shindig.
Happily, wherever and however your celebrations carry you into 2026, a plus one welcome at any gathering is a beautiful Rolex watch.
The question, then, is which one?
Read on for our top five recommendations.
The Rolex Submariner ref. 16613
If there’s a party at which Rolex’s seminal dive legend looks out of place, it’s not one I want to go to.
At the top of the tool watch tree for over 70-years now, the Submariner marries visuals which personify the word timeless with abilities that are still massively impressive even after all this time.
With its decades in the game there is obviously no shortage of different types, styles and colorways to choose from, but for a New Year’s knees-up of any description you can’t go wrong with the fabled Bluesy.
It’s the unofficial nickname for a two-tone, or Rolesor, Sub fitted with a blue dial and bezel. The deep sunburst shades are the perfect complement to the watch’s mix of metals—steel for the case, crown guards and outer bracelet links, solid yellow gold for the crown, bezel and inner links.
Arguably the best Bluesy all-rounder remains the long-running ref. 16613. Released in 1988 it is part of the generation of Submariners commonly referred to by collectors as the ‘last of the best’. It introduced the Cal. 3135, one of the finest mass-produced movements ever made, and was the final appearance of the beloved aluminum bezel inserts before they were replaced by Cerachrom.
Most enticing of all, though, is the price. You can pick up one of these fabulous examples of the genre for around $10,000; a small price to pay to be the bell of the ball.
The Rolex Day-Date ref. 118235
If your New Year’s celebrations are leaning towards the more formal end of the partying spectrum, then Rolex’s grand old flagship has long been the number one choice for just such events.
The Day-Date, sometimes better known by its colloquial title of The President, is how the greatest and the goodest have told the time since 1956. The first ever waterproof, self-winding wristwatch to display both the date and the day of the week spelled out in full, it was a mechanical wonder of its time. Today, it remains as relevant as ever; a study in masculine elegance with an aesthetic so classic it would be carved into horology’s Mount Rushmore.
There is an almost uncountable number of varieties to choose from, although if you’re looking for a steel watch you’ll have to look elsewhere; the Day-Date has only ever been produced in precious metals.
A fantastic choice for this time of year, one which works with any dress code, is the ref. 118235. The warmth of its rose gold is a welcome sight in the depths of winter, and its traditional fluted bezel catches the light just so.
It comes from the generation of the Day-Date which emerged in 2000. Powered by the Cal. 3155 (from the same family as the above Submariner’s Cal. 3135 movement) it has the convenience of a Double Quickset, meaning both calendar functions can be set easily via the crown. It was also the first of the Presidents to have a bracelet with all solid links, giving the watch a real heft and security on the wrist.
It was made available with a selection of different dials, although a standout has to be the matching rose colored face, giving the whole thing a pleasing harmony.
A very special watch for those extra special occasions, you should be able to find excellent examples for around $30K.
The Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN
If you’re lucky enough to be travelling abroad for your celebrations, then a watch capable of keeping track of the local time as well as the hour back home means you’ll know when to call and wish everyone a happy new year.
Fortunately, Rolex is the manufacturer of the undefeated grandaddy of all travel watches, the GMT-Master II.
Originally a collaboration between the watchmaker and now-defunct carrier, Pan Am, the GMT-Master was conceived as a way to help the airline’s pilots fight off the worst effects of jetlag by displaying two time zones simultaneously. These days it is far better known for its range of iconic bezels, with equally iconic nicknames. Over the years we have had the Pepsi, the Coke, the Root Beer, the Batman, the Sprite and plenty of others.
But while those twin color surrounds served a functional and not just decorative purpose—allowing an at-a-glance demarcation between the night-time and daytime hours of engraved numerals—the models issued with an all-black bezel have always found an appreciative audience among those who like their watches a little more understated.
The ref. 116710LN was actually the last of the all-black GMTs. Running from 2007 to 2019, it was also the first steel example of the watch released with Rolex’s proprietary ceramic, or Cerachrom, bezel insert. Scratchproof, fade resistant and nigh-on unbreakable, Cerachrom is set to look brand new forever; perfect for a high end travel model.
The ref. 116710LN is a studiedly discreet watch, and a class act of one, with the only break from the monochrome a pop of green on the 24-hour hand. It might even be mistaken for a classic Submariner, until you look a little closer and spot its hidden talents.
The perfect companion for an end of the year blowout.
The Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 16622
There’s low-key and then there’s low-key…
The Yacht-Master series is now one of the most well-stocked of any in Rolex’s Professional Collection, covering three different sizes, with two different bracelet options and six different metals (including a couple you won’t find anywhere else in the line-up).
One of those unique to the Yacht-Master range is known as Rolesium. Unlike the Rolesor we mentioned earlier, which is a meeting of steel and yellow gold to give a two-tone effect, Rolesium brings together steel and platinum, a pair of metals which are visually very similar.
For that reason they are given different finishes in order to introduce some contrast. On the ref. 16622, a 40mm model originally released in 1999, the steel case is polished to a high shine while the platinum bezel is brushed. Not only that, the surround has raised numerals which are also polished so they stand out. And the effect carries over on to the bracelet—the outer links are matte while the inners gleam.
All told, it gives the watch its own version of two-tone—sheen and satin—and an altogether more subtle air.
That is taken to another level by the dial. That too is platinum, so rather than liven up the neutrality, it enhances it. Only the inclusion of a splash of red on the seconds hand and dial text lets you know you haven’t gone color blind.
It is all fantastically restrained and tasteful, and the ideal complement to some of the more sophisticated ways to usher in the new year.
The Rolex Daytona ref. 16520
One of the most famous names in both watchmaking and motor racing, the Rolex Daytona was christened after Florida’s legendary racetrack back in 1963.
What was once a miserable failure in terms of sales for the brand today stands as perhaps its most in-demand creation; and the turnaround started with the second generation and the ref. 16520.
This was the first example of the Daytona to be powered by an automatic movement, supplied by Swiss manufacture Zenith—hence these examples are commonly known as the Zenith Daytonas.
However, while you might imagine such an historically significant iteration of arguably the most important sports watch of all time would command eye-watering prices, the Zeniths are actually the gateway into Daytona ownership. Prices start for less than $25k for pieces in good condition.
They are also shot through with neo-vintage charm. Steel models with metal bezels aren’t available anymore in the current Daytona collection; the only two stainless examples today both have Cerachrom surrounds. That leaves the all-metal Zenith watches with a certain exclusive charisma which collectors love.
The ref. 16520 only came with either a black or white dial, both with contrasting rings around the three sub dials. That seems to suit its pure tool watch vibe, but don’t worry; the Daytona has always been versatile enough to match with any outfit—and any party. Whether you’re dressing to the nines or keeping it casual this December 31st, rocking the one and only Cosmograph is a power move all the way.
All of us here at Beckertime wish you a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year, and hope you have a fantastic 2026.
Featured Photo: Mixed art by Oriol Mendivil for BKT Archive.
