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.
Rare Antique Rolex 1920s Manual Winding 26MM 15K Yellow Gold Ladies Watch
By Rolex
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Rolex Gender: Ladies Metal Type: 15K and 14K Yellow Gold Diameter: 26.00 mm Weight: 19.19 grams One ladies 15K yellow gold ROLEX Swiss-made watch. The case metal was te...
Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 9ct. Solid Gold Art Deco Ladies Wristwatch ca 1920's, with Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Baguette Style METAL / MATERIAL: 9ct. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm x Width 11mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber M DIAL / HANDS: Original Silver with Kiln Fired Enamel Printing / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Cord Band / Regular Length Adjustable WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare watch was produced by the iconic house of Rolex sometime in the 1920's. The watch is in excellent original condition and still has its original blued steel hands. The dial, done in Sterling Silver is not printed, but is done in kiln fired enamel and is in original condition. It is extraordinary to find this nearly 100 year old watch...
Antique Rolex 9K Yellow Gold 15 Jewel Manual Wind Women’s Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This antique Rolex women’s watch features a 9K yellow gold case with a coordinating yellow gold link bracelet and a round champagne-tone dial. The dial is signed Rolex and is designe...
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 9 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Ladies Dress Watch Circa 1930's
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Rolex dress watch, circa 1930s, featuring a 27mm round case crafted in 9K yellow gold. The watch is fitted with a white porcelain dial with classic Roman numeral hour markers...
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Ladies Art Deco Rare 14Kt Two-Tone Gold Bracelet Watch, circa 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 3285 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Two-Tone Yellow & Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 25mm Len...
Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Genuine 18k Rolex Precision Watch. 18k Gold Ladies 8790 Rolex Fully serviced
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
18k Yellow Gold Rolex Precision Ladies mechanical Movement Wristwatch. Circa 1967s Circa 1960 Dainty 16mm by 23mm Case. Rolex 1400 Movement Ref. 8790. Just underwent full service. ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1951 Rolex Precision 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Bracelet Watch Original Rolex Box
By Rolex
Located in Santa Monica, CA
1951 Rolex Precision 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Bracelet Watch with Original Rolex Box An elegant vintage Rolex Precision ladies wristwatch dating to circa 1951, crafted in solid 18K y...
Yellow Gold
Rolex 18Kt. Solid Rose Gold with Original Cord Band and Hardware circa 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolexl Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 4554 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Width 17mm ...
Rolex 18kt. Rose Gold Art Deco Ladies Watch with Original Dial and Hardware 1940
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm X Width 16mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER...
Antique c1915 Rolex W&D 9K 375 Rose Gold 28mm Hinged Round Case Ladies' Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
TO U.S.A BUYERS: DON’T SWEAT ABOUT 15% TRUMP’S TARIFF - WE COVER IT BY GIVING YOU 15% DISCOUNT! This sophisticated ladies’ timepiece is an antique Rolex watch from circa 1915, y...
Rose Gold
Rare Ladies Rolex Datejust 69178, 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Dial year 1987
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our ladies Rolex Datejust reference 69178 features a 26mm 18ct yellow gold case with 18ct president bracelet, and champagne with diamond set dial. Presented in original unpolished co...
Vacheron Constantin ladies cocktail watch, 18K yellow gold, 6 x diamonds, 1960
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage, rare and very attractive manually wound Vacheron Constantin ladies cocktail watch features a 17mm 18ct yellow gold case (exc crown) with integrated 18ct yellow gold brac...
Breitling Geneve ref 2907, 36mm gold plated stainless steel case, manual, c1950
By Breitling
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage and rare Breitling Geneve reference 2907 features a 36mm (inc crown) gold plated stainless steel case with gold coloured dial, powered by a manually wound movement. This ...
Gucci ladies, reference 9200L, features a gold plated 25mm case / bracelet 1993
By Gucci
Located in Canterbury, England
Our neo vintage and desirable Gucci ladies, reference 9200L, features a gold plated 25mm case and bracelet. An iconic 1980s/ 1990s Gucci, this particular example is presented in very...
Dunhill Londinium features a 35mm stainless steel / gold plated case, c 1996
By Dunhill
Located in Canterbury, England
Our Neo vintage Dunhill Londinium features a 35mm stainless steel / gold plated case (36.5 mm inc crown) with stainless steel / gold plated bracelet, white dial with Roman numerals a...
Swiss Emperor, 34mm gold plated case with date function, art deco style, c1968
Located in Canterbury, England
Our very attractive Swiss Emperor features a 34mm gold plated case with date function, and art deco style dial, powered by an automatic movement. This is a very stylish gold plated m...
