LeBron Wore a Stunning Rolex Daytona to Celebrate 40,000 Career Points

This week, LeBron James became the first player in N.B.A. history to score 40,000 career points, firmly cementing his G.O.A.T. status as the league’s all-time leading scorer. That he accomplished this at age 39—making him the oldest player in the NBA—is mind-blowing.

Striding into Crypto Arena for his historic game with the Nuggets, King James wore a fitting watch: a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126509. No stranger to a great Rolex—he’s been spotted in a completely iced-out Yacht-Master before—James has worn numerous eye-popping Rollies. (Not to mention impressive fare from a host of other brands such as Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, AP, and others.)

In fact, by these standards, the ref. 126509, which debuted in 2023, is somewhat chaste: Sure, it’s housed in an 18K white gold case with a matching white gold Oyster bracelet, making it extraordinarily heavy (and valuable). But this particular reference, with its black and steel dial, white gold applied indices, and white gold tachymetric scale, doesn’t feature a single diamond. Really, it’s more reminiscent of the early, solid-gold versions of classic Rolex tool watches from the 1970s—though by virtue of its color, it’s even more subdued. Handsome and powered by the automatic Rolex Calibre 4131 movement, it features a power reserve of 72 hours.

Last year was a banner year for the Daytona. Rolex celebrated the model’s 60th anniversary by revamping the reference entirely and launching a white-gold special edition ref. 126529LN in honor of 100 years of Le Mans. Indeed, the Daytona—which begins at $15,100 in stainless steel—has seemingly never been more popular, with customers willing to wait years to receive an allocation from an authorized dealer.

Travis Kelce’s Rolex Day-Date

Kansas City Chiefs tight end and recent Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce took in a Celtics vs. Cavaliers game with brother (and former Eagles center) Jason Kelce in Cleveland this week wearing the most Presidential of Rolexes, a solid-gold Day-Date. It appears that Kelce sprung for a modern ref. 228238, a 40mm yellow gold model powered by an automatic Calibre 3255 movement and featuring a champagne dial with baguette-cut diamond indices — plus the model’s famed President bracelet. Launched in 1956 and only available in precious metals, the Day-Date was advertised as the province of politicians, artists, and winners — much as it is today.

Teyana Taylor’s Bulgari Serpenti

An actor, singer, songwriter, dancer, model and more, Teyana Taylor does it all — which is why it isn’t particularly surprising that she also knows a great watch when she sees one. Indeed, this past week, she wore a particularly cool Bulgari Serpenti in black ceramic to a Kings vs. Spurs game: A novel take on the Roman jeweler’s famed wrist-hugging, serpentine timepiece, the Serpenti Spiga consists of a 35mm black ceramic curved case, an 18K rose gold, diamond-set bezel, a matching rose gold crown set with ceramic, and a cool lacquered black dial. Paired to its famous case in black ceramic and rose gold and powered by a quartz movement, it’s proof positive that Bulgari, despite its origins as a jeweler and not a watchmaker, makes some of the most compelling timepieces in the world right now.

Barry Keoghan’s Omega Constellation Globemaster

A Vanity Fairy affair at the Chateau Marmont wasn’t the first time Irish heartthrob actor Barry Keoghan’s been spotted with an excellent Omega affixed to his wrist — but we particularly love this week’s pick. Part of the Constellation line, the Gobemaster in Sedna Gold is a 39mm, dressy Master Chronometer with a fluted bezel, a handsome, opaline “pie pan” dial inspired by the first “Connie” from 1952, and an Omega-built Calibre 8901 automatic movement visible via a sapphire caseback. Paired to a brown leather strap and featuring a convenient date window above 6 o’clock, its elegant profile is a far cry from the much more utilitarian design of the brand’s famed Moonwatch. (Which received a white-dialed upgrade this week!)

John Cena’s Rolex Explorer II

Taking his televised meeting with Jimmy Fallon in a pinstriped, pistachio-toned, three-piece suit — and being the only human on Earth who can pull this off in 2024 — American actor and professional wrestler John Cena rocked a most excellent Rolex Explorer II ref. 216570, posing with it in such practiced form during his photocall that we feel he was mentally communicating directly with the GQ watch desk. Measuring 42mm, this larger, contemporary version of Rolex’s spelunking watch from the 1970s seems like the perfect fit for Cena, its orange secondary time zone hand complementing the pops of yellow in his suit.