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.
1940's Rolex Ladies Vintage Cocktail Watch - Platinum & 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 1stD...
Platinum
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
1960's 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
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
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
1960's Piaget Ladies Vintage Backwind 18K White Gold & Diamond Watch - Minty
By Piaget
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
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 Diamond White Gold 18K Wristwatch 1950S
By Rolex
Located in Geneva, CH
Rolex Diamond round and baguette cut on white gold 18K wristwatch. Circa 1950. Rolex. Numbered. Rolex Precisions. Total gross weight: 22.12 grams. We do not guarantee the functi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
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
Vintage Zenith Ladies Cocktail Watch 18K White Gold Diamond Bezel
By Zenith
Located in Westport, CT
An original vintage 18K white gold Zenith ladies' cocktail watch, circa 1960s. Featuring a round 18K white gold case with a diamond bezel set with 30 natural diamonds weighing approx...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rolex 6673 Cellini Ladies White Gold and Diamond Bracelet Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2007 Rolex Cellini Reference 6673 Ladies 18k White Gold Bracelet Wrist Watch, 26 M.M 2 piece case, Factory Diamond set bezel and Lug tops, Quartz Movement, Pink dial with Diamo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s 2.92 Carat Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Watch
By Ciro 8
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, stunning, fine and impressive vintage 2.96 carat diamond (total), platinum and 9 karat white gold cocktail watch; part of our vintage watch collections. This stunning ladies vintage...
Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
