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 18k Yellow Gold Woman's Datejust Pearlmaster Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Rolex Pearlmaster that is as stylish as it is beautiful! Style 80318, the mother-of-pearl dial, 12 diamond bezel, Pearlmaster bracelet with aftermarket diamonds, synthetic sapphire...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 118388 Day-Date 18k Yellow Gold Factory Diamond Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Rolex Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Case Diameter: 36mm Crystal: Sapphire Crystal Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold bezel with Diamonds Dial: All Diamond dial with black Roman numerals and yellow gold hands. Date can be found at 3 o'clock Bracelet: 18k yellow gold Presidential bracelet...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 18948 Day-Date 18k Mother of Pearl Masterpiece Diamond Watch
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Rolex Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Case Diameter: 39mm Crystal: Sapphire Crystal Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold bezel with Diamonds Dial: Mother of pearl Dial with yellow gold hands and Diamond...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Ladies Pearlmaster 80298 29mm MOP Diamond Dial Diamond Bezel 18K Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 80298 Serial: P904*** Year: 2000 Model: Rolex Ladies Datejust Pearlmaster Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold Band: 18K Yellow Gold Bezel: Factory Di...
18k Gold
$58,000Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.11 in Dm 1.11 in
Rolex Lady-Datejust Masterpiece 28mm 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite Rolex Lady-Datejust Masterpiece, reference 69298, is a stunning testament to luxury watchmaking, crafted entirely in luminous 18k yellow gold. This timepiece features ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold
Rolex 116718LN GMT-Master II 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Pave Watch
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Rolex Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Case Diameter: 40mm Crystal: Sapphire Crystal Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold bezel with Diamonds Dial: Diamond pave dial with black hands and lumi...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ladies Rolex 26mm Presidential 18K Yellow Gold Watch with White Dial and Diamond
By Rolex
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Brand: Rolex. Bezel: Diamond. Model: DateJust. Series: President. Crystal: Sapphire. Numeral: Roman. Dial Color: White. Gender: Women's. Dial: Diamond Dial. Condition: Very Good. Mod...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Rolex Datejust 26mm 18k Yellow Gold Custom Diamond Dial Bezel Ladies Watch 69173
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Custom Diamond dial and bezel. Comes with the gift box. General Information: Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex Datejust Model Number: 69173 Type: Wristwatch Department: Women Sty...
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1988 Rolex Lady Datejust 69158 YG Diamond Guilloche Dial Automatic 26mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Masterclass In Factory Gem Setting This is not a standard Datejust. The "Crown Collection" represents a special, off-catalog tier of Rolex production where the brand's jewelers an...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 39mm Day-Date Masterpiece Mother Of Pearl Diamond 18KYG Watch
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Rolex Day-Date Masterpiece wristwatch crafted in 18K yellow gold, featuring an exquisite mother-of-pearl dial adorned with brilliant diamond hour markers and a factory diamond-set be...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Ladies Datejust 2-Tone Diamond Watch 179313 Gold Champagne Mother of Pearl
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Ladies Datejust 2-Tone Diamond Watch 179313 Gold Champagne Mother of Pearl Dial - Automatic winding, Quickset, 31 jewels, sapphire crystal. Lady Datejust. Stainless steel case ...
Rolex Datejust 2-Tone Steel & Gold Ladies Watch 79173
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Datejust 2-tone Steel & Gold Ladies Watch 79173 - Automatic winding, 29 jewels, Quickset date, sapphire crystal. Stainless steel case with custom diamond bezel (26mm diameter...
Ladies Rolex President 18k Gold Diamond Watch 69138
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Ladies Rolex President 18k Gold Diamond Watch 69138 - Automatic winding, Quickset date, sapphire crystal. President. 18k yellow gold case and factory diamond bezel (26mm diameter). V...
Rolex Datejust Midsize 31mm Steel & Gold Diamond Bezel 178383
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Datejust Midsize 31mm Steel & Gold Diamond Bezel 178383 - Automatic winding, 31 jewels, sapphire crystal. Datejust. Stainless steel case with diamond bezel (31mm diameter). Cha...
Rolex Datejust 31 Midsize Yellow Gold Watch 78278
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Datejust 31 Midsize Yellow Gold Watch 78278 - Automatic winding; 31 jewel; sapphire crystal. Midsize Datejust. 18k yellow gold case with fluted bezel (31mm diameter). White Dia...
Rolex Vintage Extremely Rare Ladies Yellow Gold Cocktail Watch Ref 4492
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Vintage Extremely Rare Ladies Yellow Gold Cocktail Watch Ref 4492 - Manual. 18K Yellow Gold ( 21 mm). Tonneau shaped refurbished champagne dial with gold hour markers. 18K yell...
