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.
Vintage Rolex Day-Date 18K Yellow Gold Silver Dial 1802
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k yellow gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date vintage wristwatch. Features a silver dial with applied hour markers, a date aperture, and a day display. Complementing the dial is a fix...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Rolex Vintage Date Yellow Gold Blue Dial 34mm 1503
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 34mm Rolex Date in yellow gold, reference 1503, dating to approximately 1979. Featuring a blue dial that has lightly faded to a purple hue. Fitted with a plastic crystal, ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$11,920Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.23 in
Rolex Oyster 6551 14k Solid Gold 1960s Midsize 31mm Automatic All Original Ra756
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless luxury, 14k solid gold Men's midsize Rolex ref.6551 Oyster Perpetual automatic, c.1962, all original, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmak...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Rolex Rare Vintage Precision Yellow Gold 36mm 8896
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 36mm Rolex Precision crafted in 18k yellow gold. Featuring a silver dial with applied dagger style hour markers and a polished yellow gold bezel. Fitted with a plexiglass, ...
18k Gold
Rolex Lady's Yellow Gold Datejust Wristwatch Ref 179178, circa 2002
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Rolex lady's 18k yellow gold Datejust wristwatch, Ref. 179178, circa 2002, cream-colored textured dial with gold Roman numerals. The dial has a pattern on it that is hard to photograph. the close up photo captures it accurately. 18k yellow gold Bracelet length: 6.5 inches Top to bottom: 32.77mm Width without crown: 26.4mm Width with crown: 28.78mm Bracelet width at case: 13mm Case thickness: 10.7mm Bracelet: Rolex President, 750, D711 83138 Crystal: Sapphire Outside case: 179178, Y165815 Inside case: Rolex 750...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Ref 6624 Oyster Date 18k Solid Gold Midsize 30mm 1960s Automatic RA456C
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxurious elegance, 18k solid gold Men's midsize Rolex ref.6624 Oyster Perpetual Date automatic, c.1962, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Go...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Rare Date Hammered Finished 1503
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare vintage Date by Rolex, in yellow gold. Featuring a champagne dial with a smooth finish bezel. Equipped with a yellow gold bracelet and a rare hammered finish which is bound by...
Yellow Gold
Vintage Rolex Day Date Ref 18038 80s Champagne Dial 18K Yellow Gold 36mm Case.
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Rolex Day Date reference 18038 automatic (single quick) with a champagne sunburst dial in 18K yellow gold from the 1980s. Measurements include a 36mm case, 20mm lug ...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Yellow Gold Strap Model Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Rolex Wrist Watch, 33 M.M. 14K 2 piece case, 9 M.M. thick, 17 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind Nickle lever movement, 2 tone Silver Satin Pie pan dial with raised Gold marke...
14k Gold
Rolex Date 1503 14K Yellow Gold Jubilee Band 34mm
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 1503 Serial: 6089*** Year: 1979 Model: Rolex Date Case Material: 14K Yellow Gold Band: 14K Yellow Gold Bezel: 14K Yellow Gold Dial: Cha...
Carrera Y Carrera Mi Princes Greco Roman Diamond Crown Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Mi Princes Greco Roman Diamond Band Ring by Carrera Y Carrera. With 1 round brilliant cut Diamond VS1 clarity, G color total weight approx: 0.25ct This ring comes wi...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Cartier Diamond Eternity Band Yellow Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Eternity Band Ring by Cartier. With 22 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, E color total weig...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Perlee Diamond 5 Row Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Perlee diamond band ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. The Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold Perlée Diamond 5-Row Band Ring is a luxurious statement piece. Crafted from 1...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Signature X Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond X Band Ring by Tiffany & Co. With 14 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds VS1 clarity, G color, Total weight Approx .50ctw Details...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Yellow Gold Nouvelle Vague Diamond Band
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
A striking expression of Cartier’s timeless elegance, this Nouvelle Vague Diamond Band is exquisitely crafted in 18K yellow gold and showcases the Maison’s signature sculptural desig...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Chopard Chopardissimo 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pavé Diamond Signature Wide Band Ring
By Chopard
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Chopardissimo Pave Diamond Signature Wide Band Ring by Chopard. This ring comes with Chopard box. With Round brilliant cut diamonds VS1 clarity, G color Details: Ri...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
