Rolex Stainless Steel Submariner Automatic Wristwatch Ref 5513
By Rolex
Located in Bologna, IT
Steel Case Black Matt Dial with Patina Original Rolex Bracelet Ref. 93150 and Leather Strap Automatic Winding Diameter: 40mm Year: About 1978
Rolex Stainless Steel Submariner Automatic Wristwatch Ref 5513
By Rolex
Located in Bologna, IT
Steel Case Black Matt Dial with Patina Original Rolex Bracelet Ref. 93150 and Leather Strap Automatic Winding Diameter: 40mm Year: About 1978
Rolex Stainless Steel Submariner Wristwatch Ref 16610
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Stainless Steel Length: 47mm Width: 38mm Bracelet width at case: 20mm Case thickness: 12.9mm Bracelet: 93150 Rolex Oyster steel Outside case: 16610 X864768 Inside case:...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Submariner 16800 Stainless Steel Men's Watch with Distinctive Pati
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
The Stainless steel Oyster bracelet has a 93150 flip-lock clasp. Original Rolex box and books with warranty papers stamped 1986.
Rolex Steel Submariner Custom Blue Dial Bezel Automatic Wristwatch Ref 16610
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Matt finish Rolex Oyster band. © 1992. Steel 131.0 grams Band length: 8.5 inches Length: 47mm Width: 38mm Band width at case: 20mm Case thickness: 12.9mm Band: Rolex steel Oyster R...
Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Submariner Diamond Sapphire Custom Dial Bezel Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Steel Diamond and Sapphire markers. 133.3 grams Band length: 8 inches – buckle is adjustable Length: 47mm Width: 38mm Band width at case: 20mm Case thickness: 12.9 Band: Rolex steel ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel GMT-Master II "Cherry Coke" Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This was also the last year that Tritium was used on this model as the plots were filled with Luminova, making for another collectible quirk. It features the Rolex Oyster bracel...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 "Rail Dial" circa 1978
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Calibre 1570 self winding movement with sweep seconds and date. With Rolex SS 93150 heavy Oyster bracelet with flip lock clasp and 580 endpieces.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Submariner Automatic Wristwatch Ref 14060, circa 2000
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Powered by self winding calibre 3130 movement with sweep seconds. With Rolex heavy Oyster 93150 bracelet with flip lock clasp.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Double Red Sea Dweller Mark III Wristwatch Ref 1665
By Rolex
Located in Atlanta, GA
Case Material: Stainless Steel Case Diameter: 40 millimeters Caseback: Marked "ROLEX" "ROLEX PATENT" "OYSTER. GAS ESCAPE VALVE" Crown: Fluted, screw-down with embossed Rolex logo ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Double Red Sea Dweller Mark III Wristwatch Ref 1665
By Rolex
Located in Atlanta, GA
Case Material: Stainless Steel Case Diameter: 40 millimeters Caseback: Marked "ROLEX" "ROLEX PATENT" "OYSTER. GAS ESCAPE VALVE" Crown: Fluted, screw-down with embossed Rolex logo ...
Stainless Steel
ROLEX Stainless Steel Sea-Dweller Rail Dial so-called "Great White" circa 1978
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Calibre 1570 self-winding movement with sweep seconds and date. With Rolex stainless steel 93150 heavy Oyster bracelet with flip lock clasp and 580 endpieces.
While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.
Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.
But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.
But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.
Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.
The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.
Find vintage Rolex watches, bracelets and more on 1stDibs.
Antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches have captured the hearts and minds of all manner of watch collectors as well as the watchmakers themselves — it's time you found your own.
Certain vintage watches for men and iconic watch designs for women are sought after not only because of their graceful proportions or innovative materials but also because of the illustrious histories of the houses that created them, histories that they stylishly embody.
Bulgari’s legendary Serpenti watch was on everyone’s list after the collection’s bold bracelet, which technically debuted after the timepiece, graced the wrist of actress Elizabeth Taylor. If anything, elaborately crafted timepieces — the unmistakably boxy silhouette of Cartier Tank watches, the elegant and minimal Calatrava designed by legendary Swiss house Patek Philippe — are even more effective than the shape we associate with traditional wristwatches.
Form watches — the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches — are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. At the same time, both casual fans and careful collectors are drawn to the unbeatable charm of vintage styles, such as the icons designed by Omega that even James Bond can’t resist.
In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. Designer Gérald Genta, whose range of clients included Rolex, created for Audemars Piguet the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from stainless steel. First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.
Are you shopping for a wristwatch? It’s good to keep your needs as well as your specific personal style in mind: A smaller, subtle timepiece is a good fit for small wrists. When will you be wearing your new accessory? There’s a versatile model out there for everyday wear, while a rugged, feature-heavy watch is a safe bet if you’re prone to embarking on all-weather activities in the great outdoors.
Find antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches for sale on 1stDibs.
A fresh palette of dial colors and technological advances have elevated this classic watch model.
The watch has transformed several times over, but it’s still undeniably a classic.
This is perhaps the least subtle version of the Submariner.
If you think this looks like the Rolex Kermit, you're correct.
This model was designed for lefties.
Learn the devious techniques that counterfeiters use to sell inauthentic pieces at authentic prices. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller of Rolex watches is highly vetted.
From understanding the models to choosing among vintage, pre-owned and new watches, here’s our expert advice on finding the best Rolex for you.
As the cache goes on display at London’s Design Museum, we speak to its enigmatic owner about some of his rarest acquisitions.