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 Datejust White Dial Diamond & Ruby Bezel Stainless Steel Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex 26mm Datejust White Dial Diamond & Custom Set Ruby/Diamond Bezel, Diamonds lugs Stainless Steel Watch We take great pride in presenting this timepiece, which is in impeccable c...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust White Dial Diamond & Ruby Bezel Ladies Stainless Steel Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex White Stick Dial 26mm Datejust Diamond & Ruby Bezel Ladies Stainless Steel Watch 69160
Diamond, Ruby, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 36mm White MOP Dial Diamond Numbers with Ruby & Diamond Bezel
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Datejust 36mm White Mother of Pearl Dial Diamond Numbers with Ruby & Diamond Bezel Jubilee Band 16014 This watch is in like new condi...
Diamond, Ruby, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust Silver Dial Diamond Diamond/Ruby Bezel Oyster Band Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
We take great pride in presenting this timepiece, which is in impeccable condition, having undergone professional polishing and servicing to maintain its pristine appearance. The wat...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust Silver Index Dial with Diamond Lugs + Ruby & Diamond Bezel
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex 36mm Datejust Silver Index Dial with Diamond Lugs + Ruby & Diamond Bezel Stainless Steel Watch 16014.
Diamond, Ruby, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust Silver Stick Dial with Diamond & Ruby Bezel Steel Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex 31mm Datejust Silver Stick Dial with Diamond & Ruby Bezel Steel Watch We take great pride in presenting this timepiece, which is in impeccable condition, having undergone prof...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 16233 Two Tone Steel-18K Gold Ruby Diamond Bezel Vintage Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust two-tone stainless steel and 18K yellow gold automatic wristwatch featuring an aftermarket diamond and ruby bezel, a white dial with black Roman numerals and diamond hour markers, date display, gold Dauphine hands, and a two-tone Jubilee bracelet. Bracelet fits 6.5 inches with one extra link included; original box included; 9/10 condition. Product Specifications: Item Type: Mens Automatic Wristwatch Brand: Rolex Model: Oyster Perpetual Datejust Movement: Automatic (Rolex Oyster Perpetual) Case Material: Stainless steel with 18K yellow gold bezel, crown, and Jubilee center links Case Size: 36mm Reference Number: 16233 Year: 1990 Dial: White with black Roman numerals and diamond hour markers Indices: Diamond hour markers with black Roman numerals Hands: Gold-tone Dauphine Bezel Type: Fixed aftermarket diamond and ruby set bezel Bezel Color: 18K yellow gold with round brilliant diamonds and baguette ruby accents at cardinal points Band Material: Two-tone Jubilee bracelet, stainless steel with 18K yellow gold center links Band Color: Two-tone silver and yellow gold Clasp: Rolex signed folding deployant with embossed crown Features: Date display with cyclops magnifying lens at 3 o'clock, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, Swiss Made Style: Luxury dress watch Condition: 9/10 excellent Box: Original box included Extra Link: One extra bracelet link included Bracelet Length: 6.5 inches About the Watch: This circa 1990 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust...
Ruby, Diamond, Stainless Steel, Gold
Rolex Datejust 31MM Diamond Dial Platinum 68246
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A midsize platinum Datejust by Rolex. Featuring a silver dial with diamond set hour markers and a smooth platinum bezel. The president bracelet is fastened by a concealed folding Cro...
Diamond, Platinum
Rolex DateJust President Bracelet 26mm 18K White Gold Factory Diamond Dial
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
18K White Gold Ladies Rolex DateJust President With Factory Round Diamond Hour Markers With Original Rolex Box And Card. Brand: Rolex Model Name: Rolex President DateJust Ladies 18...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ladies Rolex 6917 Datejust 26mm Stainless Steel Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Ladies Rolex 6917 Datejust 26mm Stainless Steel After Market Diamond Bezel & Aftermarket Mother of Pearl Diamond Dial. Jubilee Band
Diamond
Rolex Datejust Silver Diamond Dial Steel Automatic Ladies Watch 79174
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in good condition. No original box and papers. It comes with a chronostore box. 🕰️ Watch Overview Brand: Rolex Model: Datejust Model Number / Reference: 79174 Year Ma...
Steel
Rolex Lady-Datejust NEW White Gold Mother of Pearl with Diamonds
By Rolex
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Factory set diamonds BRAND: Rolex MODEL: Lady-Datejust REFRENCE: 179239 SIZE: 26mm CASE: White Gold DIAL: Mother of Pearl with Diamonds BEZEL: White Gold BAND: President White Gold ...
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
