From Apple to Chanel to Rolex, 8 of the best rainbow watches for Pride Month – or just for fun
- Once considered unusual and flashy, rainbow-coloured watches such as Apple’s Pride Edition are now de rigueur – especially during Pride Month in June
- Rolex’s Day-Date 36 is the discreet rainbow option, while Chanel’s Premiere Electro weaves a rainbow-coloured leather strap through the chain bracelet
For decades the watch market was dominated by classic stainless-steel sport models and rose gold dress pieces with white dials and clean stylings.
In recent years, that’s changed as watchmakers have embraced their creativity and designed models that allow wearers to truly express themselves and their personal style. These days watches can feature wild motifs, unusual materials and bold colours, including dials that encompass all the colours of the rainbow.
A sprinkling of rainbow-coloured luxury timepieces have come to market over the past decade, with Rolex making Daytona models with colourful sapphire bezels in 2012, and Hublot and Chopard not far behind. By 2019 there was a veritable downpour, with the trend moving to watches by Parmigiani Fleurier, Audemars Piguet, and even Apple.
Once considered outré and flashy, rainbow gradients on watches are now de rigueur – especially during June, which is Pride Month. Here are eight watches at various price points so you can get in on the action.
1. Rolex Day-Date 36 Watch
For a more discreet rainbow, Rolex’s Day-Date 36 is the way to go. This fabulous jewelled watch has a diamond-paved dial (we said the rainbow was discreet, not the watch) with 10 fancy-coloured sapphires as hour markers. The centre link of the 18K white gold president bracelet is also set with diamonds, as is the bezel. The watch displays the day of the week at 12 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock. It’s powered by the in-house Calibre 3255, which has a 70-hour power reserve. Price: on request