The Top 5 Rolex Watches To Wear This 4th July
There are many attributes to Rolex which, together, makes them the biggest watch brand in the world.
Aficionados point to their excellence in microengineering and consistency of style. Others suggest their meticulousness in utilizing only the very finest materials and components or their ground-breaking innovation.
But in amongst those undeniable qualities, we have to talk about the sheer breadth of choice within the collection. No matter your personal tastes or individual style—in fact, no matter whether or not you’re an actual ‘watch guy’—there really is a perfect Rolex not only for you, but also for every occasion.
With the scope of different models, the various metals, the assortment of sizes, bezels, bracelets, dials and indexes, there is a watch to suit any situation.
And for this article, we’ll look at the top 5 Rolex models to wear this 4th July.
The Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126719BLRO
Yeah, we’re gonna kick this off with the lowest of low hanging fruit!
July 4th is all about celebrating independence from those ghastly British (boo!) so what better way than to model your wrist attire around the Stars and Stripes, the flag of freedom adopted less than a year after George III was given his marching orders.
The GMT-Master is one of the most iconic watches ever made, and the Pepsi-bezeled version is the most famous of those. Created originally for Pan Am Airways, itself something of an American icon, the GMT represents the ideal mix of travel, freedom and boldness.
The red and blue surround is available on four watches in the current range; two in steel (on either a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet) and two in white gold—one with a gorgeous midnight blue face or, my choice for this important date, a meteorite dial.
Rolex has made good use of their finite supply of the Gibeon meteorite, crafting wafer thin slices into dials for their high end offerings. The ref. 126719BLRO in the GMT-Master II series is the first time it has been used on the world’s favorite travel companion.
However, if your watch-buying budget doesn’t quite cover the $38,900 or so retail price of the meteoric GMT, (or the $60-$70k on the preowned market) then why not take a look at some great value vintage options?
You can easily pick up a retro reference like the ref. 1675 for around the $10-$15k mark, complete with glossy black dial and eye-popping aluminum bezel.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 ref. 124300 ‘Celebration Dial’
Well, it’s a celebration, right?
In 2023, Rolex indulged in a bit of uncharacteristic hair letting-down when they launched a new series of dials for their everyman, entry-level piece, the Oyster Perpetual.
The effervescent design consisted of a sky blue background, on top of which were painted a mass of multicolored bubbles. Coupled with the studiedly plain and austere OP model, the dial lifted the entire watch into another dimension; away from its traditionally understated vibe and onto somewhere Rolex rarely ventures—the realm of fun.
Of course, that sort of move always invites controversy and opinions were split on the so-called Celebration dials. But they have proved consistently popular among younger buyers, and with their red, white and blue (and yellow and pink and green) colorways, this might be the perfect choice for a laidback 4th.
The Rolex Submariner ref. 16618
Go big or go home this Independence Day.
Rolex has created a number of color options for their all-conquering Submariner over its 70-year+ history. Away from the masculine and time-honored black, green has become a staple in more recent years, starting with the 50th anniversary Kermit in 2003 before moving on to the Super-cased Hulk and now into the so-called Starbucks.
There’s also been a host of different material options. Steel models have always been the mainstay of the collection, but you can also have your Sub in yellow or white gold, or two-tone Rolesor.
But, for this 4th July, we are going to want to stand out, so let’s look at one of the most in-your-face variants, which still has shades of the patriotic.
The ref. 16618 consists of an 18k yellow gold case and bracelet, with a dazzlingly blue dial and bezel. As a standalone watch, this is one of the most unignorable versions of the Sub, its color scheme demanding attention with oodles of wrist presence. And yet, it manages to do it without looking crass or over the top.
The reference is also part of the ultra-long running ref. 1661X generation, often described as the last of the best. What that means in simple terms is that the models combine some wonderful vintage elements, such as sleek lines and aluminum bezels, with the contemporary—sapphire crystals, class-leading movements and the like.
At the moment, you can secure yourself an excellent example of this model for around $30,000. Small price to pay for having the best watch at the party.
The Rolex Day-Date Stella Dials
Something weird happened to Rolex in the 1970s. Perhaps shaken up by the Quartz Crisis, the brand went into overdrive trying to fight back, and the Stella dial examples remain some of the most bizarrely unexpected.
It is not solely because of the dials themselves. Yes, the range of spectacularly brightly colored and rare faces was certainly a shock to the system, especially in the usually rather conservative world of Rolex. But the biggest surprise was the choice of watch onto which they were fitted.
Of all the different models the manufacture could have selected, the Day-Date must be the most incongruous.
Prior to the Stella dials, so named for the unique lacquer provided to Rolex by the Stella company in Switzerland, the Day-Date was the establishment darling. A sober, restrained piece only meant to be recognized for what it was by other equally serious and important people, there’s a reason it was more commonly known as the President.
Outfitting them with psychedelic visages was a kick to the guts and horrified as many as it delighted. Today, they are some of the most sought after aberrations and prices can reach into the high six figures, particularly those with diamond-accented hour markers.
If you wanted, you could actually get three Stella dialed Day-Dates in red, white and blue. Although, as fun as that sounds, it would end up being on the pricey side.
Instead, why not pick your favorite color and enjoy the day?
The Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 126622
We’ll finish on an unsung bargain.
The Yacht-Master series has transformed over the last few years into one of the most diverse and interesting watch families in the Rolex line-up.
What started out as a Submariner clone for the boating set is now something of a Datejust equivalent in the Professional Collection, i.e. the place where Rolex road tests its latest ideas and innovations.
The Yacht-Master was the first sports watch the brand offered in three sizes, the first to wear the rubber Oysterflex bracelet and the first (and so far only) to come in Rolex’s proprietary Rolesium—a mixture of steel case and platinum bezel.
The wonderful ref. 126622 is the latter, a 40mm model with its gracefully defined case and robust Oyster bracelet in 904L steel, while that all-important rotatable timing surround comes in the shimmering white luxury of the king of metals.
Subtle but unmistakably stylish, the latest iteration is available with a gorgeous sunburst blue dial, its handset and indexes in pure white and its seconds hand and ‘Yacht-Master’ signature picked out in bright red.
With a price of just $12,550 at retail, the ref. 126622 has all the flag-waving potential you need this July. But if you want something a bit more restrained, check out the ref. 16622 from the previous generation. Here we also have a 40mm Rolesium piece, but this time the dial matches the bezel. Both components are cast in platinum, giving an overall monochromatic look, broken only by the pop of color from the red seconds hand and script.
Beautifully discreet and with effortless class, the ref. 16622 can be had for as little as $6,500 and will bring appreciative nods from those in the know.
Any one of our top 5 picks would make the ideal companion for this holiday season. And from everyone here at Beckertime, we wish you all a very happy Independence Day.
Featured Photo: Mixed art by Oriol Mendivil for BKT Archive.

