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.
Rolex Date 15238 34mm Champagne Dial 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Box Paper 2002
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 15238 Serial: P28**** Year: 2002 Model: Rolex Date Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Band: 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold Fluted ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Gold 34mm Bark Finish Watch in 18K Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
ROLEX 1950'S VINTAGE GOLD WATCH *Good condition with Rolex box, no papers. -Brand: Rolex -Reference: 1503 -Year: 1954 -Wrist Size: 7" -Material: 18...
18k Gold, Gold
Vintage Rolex OP Date 34mm 14k Gold Champagne Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1986 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date in 14K yellow gold featuring 34mm case with a champagne dial, fluted bezel, and Jubilee bracelet. ...
Gold, 14k Gold
Rolex Vintage Oyster Perpetual Date Yellow Gold 34mm 1500
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date reference 1500, a classic yellow gold timepiece featuring a silver dial with applied gold baton indices and a date aperture at 3 o'clock, all pr...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Date 15003 34mm Champagne Dial 18k Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Jubilee
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 15003 Serial: R76**** Year: 1988 Model: Rolex Date Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: 18k Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel Jubilee Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold Dial: Ch...
Stainless Steel
$14,320Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.34 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 1503 35mm 14k Solid Gold Mens 1970s Automatic RA741
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless luxury, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref.1503 14k solid gold automatic, c.1978, all original, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker....
Gold, 14k Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 1007 18k Solid Gold 1970s Mens 34mm Automatic RA797
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxurious classic, 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster perpetual ref.1007 men's 34mm automatic, c.1978, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous, Rolex signed gold dial, applied index short baton hour markers, gilt minute and hour hands, sweeping central second hand, hands in excellent vintage condition, very minor show of age, natural patinas and discoloration due to age. Acrylic crystal. Solid gold fluted bezel on 18k solid gold case measures 34mm wide, in pristine vintage condition. 26-jeweled Rolex cal.1570 chronometer-certified automatic movement, cleaned and serviced, in excellent running condition. Watch is all original. Fitted on new, aftermarket genuine croc strap and buckle. Timeless luxury, Men's 18k solid gold Rolex 1007...
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Datejust 36mm Automatic 18K Gold & Stainless Steel Men's Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
The Rolex 1995 Oyster Perpetual Datejust is a classic example of Rolex's timeless elegance and durability. The attractive fluted bezel and center links of the Oyster bracelet and ce...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold, Steel
$52,800
H 1.62 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.62 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 41 18K Yellow Gold Black Dial Watch 218238
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Good condition. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. General Information Brand: Rolex Model: Day-Date II...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Two-Tone Stainless Automatic Men's Watch Ref 1505
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date wristwatch featuring a two-tone stainless steel and gold design with a fluted gold bezel, gold crown, and two-tone Oyster bracelet. The watch has a silver...
Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Day-Date 18K Gold Watch, Champagne Dial, Circa 1979
By Rolex
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage 18K Gold Rolex Day-Date "President" Watch, circa 1979, in original box. Watch features a 35mm 18K gold case with finely fluted gold bezel, an elegant champagne-gold dial wi...
18k Gold
14K Gold and Diamond Omega Constellation Watch Vintage
By Omega
Located in Bradenton, FL
A vintage 14k yellow gold (tested), Omega Constellation wrist watch with round brilliant cut diamond numerals, approx. .16 carats. The diamond hour markers further elevate this beaut...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Omega Seamaster Automatic Men's Watch
By Omega
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage Omega Seamaster Automatic Men's Watch, circa 1950's. Stainless steel watch features a vintage Speidel USA stretch band with 34mm case and champagne colored dial background. T...
Stainless Steel
14k Yellow Gold Link Bracelet
Located in Bradenton, FL
14k yellow gold unisex link bracelet. 10" in length, 0.25"W, 29.33 grams TW. Lobster claw clasp. Marked 14K.
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Italian Link Bracelet, Unisex, 8.25" Long
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Italian Link Bracelet. This bracelet features polished rounded curb-style links that create a fluid silhouette with a substantial feel. The weight of this bra...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold With 5.91 CTW Diamonds Bridal Ring Set
Located in Bradenton, FL
Stunning 18k yellow gold with 5.91 ctw diamond bridal set, size 6.5, that includes: 1) Engagement ring prong set center diamond, approx. 3.15cts, I2 clarity, J in color. 36 channel ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
