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.
1960's Rolex Ladies Vintage Cocktail Watch - 18K White Gold & Diamonds
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. 1960's ROLEX Ladies Vintage...
White Gold
1966 Rolex Ladies Dress Watch, Silver Dial - 14K White Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
White Gold
ROLEX Ladies Datejust SS Steel & Diamond Watch - Original Papers & Warranty
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Steel
1973 ROLEX PRECISION Vintage Mens Stainless Steel & Diamond Watch - Mint
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
1940 Cresarrow Vintage Art Deco Ladies Watch - Palladium, Diamonds & Aquamarines
By Cresarrow
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. 1940 CRESARROW Vintage Art Deco Ladies Watch...
Palladium
1959 Rolex Vintage Mens Early Datejust, Ref. 6605 - Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
Collector 1950s Platinum Diamond Cocktail Wristwatch, Swiss Movement
Located in London, GB
A sophisticated retro 1950s platinum diamond cocktail watch featuring a Swiss mechanical hand-wind movement. The off-white dial with go...
Diamond, Platinum
Rolex Stainless Steel with Mother of Pearl Diamond Dial and Bezel, circa 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm x Diameter 35...
Vintage Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6406 Steel Cream Dial 1960s 24mm Ladies Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
This vintage Rolex Oysterdate Precision reference 6406 features a cream-tone dial with gold-tone baton indices, dauphine hands, and a date aperture at 3 o'clock, housed in a stainles...
Stainless Steel
Antique 2.16 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cocktail Watch, circa 1925
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An stunning, fine and impressive antique 2.16 carats diamond and 9k white gold, platinum set watch; part of our diverse ladies cocktail watch and diamond jewelry collections. This stunning antique diamond and platinum watch has a circular form. The wristwatch has a watch face displaying bold black Arabic numerals within a circular, minute marked chapter ring. This impressive ladies diamond watch is fitted with blued steel hands and has a plain crown/winder. The platinum bezel is encircled with twenty-five eight cut diamonds and accented with shaped lugs, each accented with a further four diamonds.. The anterior surface of the articulated bracelet style strap consists of two curvilinear links and conjoined with rectangular connectors. Each pierced decorated link is ornamented with further eight-cut diamonds. The diamond links conjoin with eight gate-style articulated links, securing to the reverse with an adjustable bar style clasp; this allows the watch to be worn at different lengths. This stunning antique manual wind wrist watch is fitted with a Swiss made 15 jewel movement. The interior of the watch case displays the hallmark for platinum (platine), in addition to the Swiss domestic platinum mark (chamois*, c - La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and the reverse of the clasp bears the maker's mark (C&F), the gold mark (9, 375), the Birmingham Assay Office mark (anchor) and the date letter for 1952 (C). This ladies cocktail watch is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card. NOTE: The watch casing was assayed in La Chaux-de-Fonds and bears the chamois mark (1914-1934), this in addition to the style of the piece denotes the date as circa 1925, with a later added gate style strap and clasp. Images do not always reflect the true color and brilliance of gemstones and diamonds. The video however provides a truer representation of the actual color and showcases each stone of this example of antique diamond jewelry. Condition This ladies antique cocktail watch...
Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Ladies Vintage Platinum Geneva .60 Carat Natural Diamonds Cocktail Pop-Up Watch
By Geneva
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Ladies Collectable Geneva Platinum set with approximately 0.60 carat of Natural Diamonds, Manual Wind Pop-Up Cocktail Watch. It is set with 32 ...
Diamond, Platinum
Rolex Chromium Marconi Hermetic Manual Wind Watch, circa 1930s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex / Marconi STYLE / REFERENCE: Hermetic METAL / MATERIAL: Chromium CIRCA: 1930's DIMENSIONS: Length 35mm X Diameter 29mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel Breguet Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This very unique watch...
