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 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 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
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
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
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
$9,520Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.38 in
Mens Rolex Ref 1503 Oyster Perpetual Date 18k Solid Gold Automatic 1960s RJC156
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless luxury, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref.1503 solid 18k gold automatic, c.1960s. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed gold dial, applied gol...
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1979 Rolex Date 1503 14K YG Champagne Dial Auto 34mm Head Only
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Oyster you may not have heard of before The reference 1503 occupies a unique space in the Rolex archive that many collectors overlook. While the 18K gold Day-Date and Datejust ...
14k Gold
$9,360Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.38 in
Mens Rolex Ref 1503 Oyster Perpetual Date 18k Gold Automatic 1960s Rjc156r
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxurious classic, Men's 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref.1503 automatic, c.1960s. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed gold dial, applied g...
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Two Tone Zephyr with Original Bracelet from 1968
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Zephyr / Reference 1038 / 1008 METAL / MATERIAL: Two Tone 14Kt. & Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1968 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: ...
Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex 18k Yellow Gold Oversized "Ovatoni" with Original Dial from Mid-1950s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Ovatoni / Reference 6075 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm X Diameter 35...
Rolex Vintage Ref 1038 Steel and 18k Zephyr Bezel Automatic Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1967 Rolex Reference 1038 Wrist Watch, 35 M.M. 3 piece Stainless Steel case with 18k Zephyr Bezel and Gold crown. Caliber 1570 Automatic, Self winding movement, Original and Mi...
18k Gold, Steel
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 Vintage Yellow Gold Manual Wind Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Rolex Wrist Watch, 31 M.M x 4.5 M.M thick 2 piece 14k Yellow Gold case, 17 jewel, caliber 1600 mechanical, manual wind nickle lever movement. Silver Satin sunburst dial w...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage 1966 Steel Air-king Automatic with Sunburst Dial
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1966 Rolex Air-King Reference 5500. 34 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece Oyster case. Caliber 1520 Automatic, Self winding movement, excellent Mint conditi...
Steel
Vintage Rolex Yellow Gold Automatic Coral dial Ladies Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1978 Rolex Reference 6719 Ladies Wrist Watch, 26 M.M. 14k Yellow Gold 3 piece Oyster case with Fluted bezel, Oyster Perpetual Automatic, self winding movement, Custom finished ...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Steel and Gold Ref 6582 Zephyre Bezel Automatic Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1966 Rolex Oyster perpetual Reference 6582 Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. 3 piece stainless steel Oyster case with Yellow Gold Zephyre Bezel an...
Gold, Steel
