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Basketball player LeBron James spotted wearing Rolex

At the NBA All-Star Draft, cameras caught LeBron James wearing what is arguably the most talked-about affordable Rolex of the past decade — the Oyster Perpetual 41 in Candy Red, reference 124300. The choice is telling: in a room where million-dollar wrists are unremarkable, James opted for restraint, letting the dial's saturated lacquer finish do the talking.

Rolex introduced the Oyster Perpetual 124300 in 2020 as part of a sweeping refresh of its entry-level line, bumping the case diameter to 41mm and fitting it with the Calibre 3230 movement — a significant upgrade featuring the brand's proprietary Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, and a 70-hour power reserve. The case is rendered entirely in OysterSteel, Rolex's in-house 904L stainless steel alloy, polished and brushed across the classic three-piece Oyster bracelet. Water resistance sits at 100 metres. These are not exotic specifications, but the execution is characteristically immaculate.

The Red dial variant of the 124300 became a collector phenomenon almost immediately upon release. Rolex's decision to offer the Oyster Perpetual family in a palette of vivid, single-colour lacquer dials — Coral Red, Turquoise Blue, Yellow, Olive Green — landed at exactly the right cultural moment, resonating with a younger, streetwear-adjacent audience without alienating traditional buyers. The red dial in particular developed a waiting list at authorised dealers that stretched years, and grey-market premiums ballooned to multiples of retail almost overnight, a rare occurrence for a steel sports-adjacent watch at this price tier.

LeBron James needs no introduction as a watch collector. His collection spans ultra-complicated Patek Philippe perpetual calendars, bespoke Richard Mille RM pieces worn courtside, and various Rolex sports references. Spotting him in the 124300 rather than a Daytona or a Submariner underscores the genuine cult status the Oyster Perpetual Red has earned — this is not a default choice.

At a UK list price of £4,700, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 Red Dial sits at the entry point of the Rolex catalogue, yet grey-market demand has consistently pushed transaction prices well above retail. For collectors unable to secure one through authorised dealer channels, secondary market availability remains constrained, making LeBron's relaxed All-Star Draft appearance with one on his wrist a quietly sharp horological statement.