There are a lot of holiday traditions. Stockings over the fireplace. Mistletoe in the doorway. Turning that glass of milk for Santa into a White Russian after the kids go to sleep – you know, the usual stuff. And then there’s the ugly Christmas sweater. Whether you’ve corralled your friends and family into this festive tradition or you’re being dragged unwillingly, this is the kind of thing you have to go all out for or it’s just no fun.
But just because your ugly Christmas sweater is, well, ugly, that doesn’t mean your watch has to be. Whether you’re wearing a light-up sweatshirt, a punny holiday sweater, or something knitted in horrible taste, you can dress it up with a luxury watch that’s stylish and festive. Here, we’ve made a list of our favorite ugly Christmas sweater companions – from the classic and matchy-matchy to the ice cool. Let’s take a look.
Rolex Submariner ref. 116610LV – “Hulk”
Submariner 116610LV Key Features:
Case Size: 40mm
Materials: Stainless Steel
Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display
Dial: Green w/ Luminous Hour Markers
Bezel: Unidirectional, Green Ceramic Insert w/ 60-Minute Scale
Movement: Caliber 3135
Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
If you’re wearing a big, green, ugly Christmas sweater this year, then why not go all out and pair it with the eye-popping green Rolex Hulk? This Submariner is outfitted with both a green bezel and dial, giving this otherwise classic Rolex timepiece a modern and festive look. We’d be sure to pair this with Grinch ugly Christmas sweaters or anything with a Christmas tree on it. If you’ve got one of those ugly green Christmas sweaters that makes you look like an elf, then at least this watch will make you look like the most tasteful elf in Santa’s workshop.
Besides the festive colors of the Submariner Hulk, we love this watch for its incredible dive watch functionality and timeless style. The Submariner, which has been around since 1953, is one of the world’s most popular watches. So, we love the idea of owning this classic in colors that make it feel fresh and modern. Beyond the sunburst green dial, you’ll love the added durability of the green ceramic bezel alongside the desirable “Super Case” that features larger crown guards and thicker lugs.
Omega Speedmaster FOiS – The MET Edition
Speedmaster FOiS MET Edition Key Features:
Case Size: 39.7mm
Materials: Stainless Steel
Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, 12-Hour Chronograph
Dial: Black w/ Luminous Markers
Bezel: Fixed, Black Aluminum Insert w/ Tachymeter Scale
Movement: Caliber 1861
Strap/Bracelet: Red and White NATO Strap
Along with being the signature colors of the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, red and white are also two colors synonymous with the holiday season. From candy canes to Santa Claus’s outfit, the pairing of red and white graces the months leading up to Christmas – and more importantly, they are the colors of the premium NATO strap found on the Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space Met Edition.
The Omega Speedmaster is famous throughout the watch industry for looking great on pretty much every single strap you can imagine, and the red and white striped NATO strap of the Met Edition Speedy is no different. Beyond the special edition strap, the watch itself remains your classic black dial Speedmaster FOiS, with its only mention of the Metropolitan Museum Of Art being a small engraving on its caseback. This watch will just look like a candy cane on your wrist in all of your ugly Christmas sweater photos, and when you are done with the holiday season, you can always swap the Met-edition NATO strap out for something more classic and understated so you can pair your Omega Speedmaster FOiS with more formal attire.
Rolex Submariner Date ref. 116610LN
Submariner 116610LN Key Features:
Case Size: 40mm
Materials: Stainless Steel
Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display
Dial: Black w/ Luminous Hour Markers
Bezel: Unidirectional, Black Ceramic Insert w/ 60-Minute Scale
Movement: Caliber 3135
Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
We’d pair this modern, Rolex Submariner Date ref. 116610 with a classically ugly Christmas sweater. You know, one of those knitted monstrosities that’s itchy and has some kind of horribly festive pattern that your grandparents would have worn. The Submariner is a classic itself, but one that is far better looking. And it is so good looking that it is going to elevate your entire outfit. If you’ve begrudgingly taken part in wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, the classic Rolex Submariner Date will help you save face.
What we love about the ref. 116610LN that you see here is that while it has all the traditional feature of a Rolex Submariner that you love – like that rotating bezel and handsome, luminous dial – it’s updated and upgraded with a ceramic, Cerachrom bezel, a larger “Maxi” display on the dial, and a newer case and bracelet. These modern details give the reference 116610LN a more substantial look and feel, despite its traditional 40mm case size. Plus, that black dial and bezel are going to match anything. And those hour markers? White as snow.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph ref. 26048SK
Royal Oak Offshore 26048SK Key Features:
Case Size: 37mm
Materials: Stainless Steel
Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, 12-Hour Chronograph
Dial: White ‘Mega Tapisserie” Pattern w/ Luminous Markers
Bezel: Fixed, Set w/ 32 Brilliant-Cut Diamonds
Movement: Caliber 2385
Strap/Bracelet: White Rubber Strap
Now, if you really want to distract from that ugly Christmas sweater, look no further than this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph ref. 26048SK. This is technically classified as a ladies watch, however clocking in with a unisex 37mm case size, anyone can get away with wearing this snow-white beauty. Plus, not only is this incredible watch entirely theme-appropriate with it’s all-white design, but it’s even been iced out in diamonds.
There’s so much to love about this watch, but for us it has to be the juxtaposition of the sporty heritage of the luxurious Royal Oak Offshore with the elegant, over the top design features. Look no further than that beautiful white rubber strap against that bezel encrusted in 32 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 1.25 carats. If that doesn’t sell you, the brand’s signature Méga Tapisserie dial topped with white gold hands, Arabic numerals, and luminous plots surely will. Fun, bold and joyously playful, this is the kind of watch you’re going to love wearing – especially on this festive occasion.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000
Oyster Perpetual 126000 Key Features:
Case Size: 36mm
Materials: Stainless Steel
Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds
Dial: Multiple Options Available
Bezel: Fixed, Stainless Steel, Smooth Style
Movement: Caliber 3230
Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
If you’re stuck in a winter-themed holiday sweater with snow, sledding, or some kind of weirdly knitted snowman, this turquoise “Tiffany” dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000 will pair perfectly. Not only does the icy blue color go with your winter theme, but this brand new, colorful, and ultra-desirable watch is going to totally distract from whatever ugly Christmas sweater you’re wearing.
We were really excited for this Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000 to come into our store, as it is one of the brand-new Oyster Perpetual watches Rolex released this year. While there are a number of unique and vibrant colors, this “Tiffany” blue one is a top favorite among many collectors. The 36mm sizing means it’s great for both men and women, and this new generation of the Oyster Perpetual features Rolex’s all-new Caliber 3230 movement. What we also love about this new OP is that it boasts an improved Chromalight blue lume display on the dial and the updated Oyster bracelet that integrates perfectly with the case. Grab it while it’s ice-cold!
Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLRO – “Pepsi”
GMT-Master II 126710BLRO Key Features:
Case Size: 40mm
Materials: Stainless Steel
Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, GMT Functionality
Dial: Black w/ Luminous Hour Markers
Bezel: Bidirectional, Red and Blue Ceramic Insert w/ 24-Hour Scale
Movement: Caliber 3285
Strap/Bracelet: Jubilee Bracelet
Do you remember all those old Pepsi ads with Santa holding a bottle of soda? Well, underneath that fur-collared red jacket he was sporting one of these – a Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLRO (okay, not really). But if today’s Santa had to pick a watch to wear while hopping from rooftop to rooftop across the world, we think it’s a safe bet he’d have this Rolex strapped on his wrist. With multiple time zone functionality and the classic bred and blue “Pepsi” bezel, this watch could help him keep track of time all around the world while also matching his outfit.
And while you’re stuck in an ugly Christmas sweater rather than a red and white Santa suit, we think this watch will bring you a ton of joy to wear. Not only is this modern GMT-Master II 126710BLRO updated with a ceramic, Cerachrom bezel, but an elegant stainless steel Jubilee bracelet. This watch is incredibly hard to get your hands on as well, so if you show up wearing this with your ugly Christmas sweater, everyone’s going to assume you were really good at the top of Santa’s ‘nice list’ this year.
Tudor Black Bay ref. 79230R
Black Bay 79230R Key Features:
Case Size: 41mm
Materials: Stainless Steel
Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds
Dial: Black w/ Luminous Hour Markers
Bezel: Unidirectional, Red Aluminum Insert w/ 60-Minute Scale
Movement: Caliber MT5602
Strap/Bracelet: Stainless Steel Bracelet; Leather Strap; Canvas Strap
You can never, ever, go wrong with a Tudor Black Bay. If you love the aesthetic of a great vintage-inspired luxury watch, then the Tudor Heritage Black Bay is everything you’ve been looking for, offering some of the most bang for your buck in the entire industry. The ref. 79230R here is heavily inspired by older generation Tudor watches, all while offering the latest in modern watchmaking technology.
We particularly adore this ref. 79230R with a festive, solid red bezel because it is going to match your ugly Christmas sweater perfectly – whether it’s outfitted with Santa’s crimson hat, Rudolph’s shiny red nose, or some kind of dancing candy canes. The substantial 41mm stainless steel case will also sit prominently on your wrist, so even with your ugly Christmas sweater sleeves down, you can be sure this watch will stand out and catch a few glances.
