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 Oyster Perpetual 277200 Midsize 31mm Blue Dial Steel Box Paper Stickers
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 277200 Serial: 886SY*** Year: 2020 Model: Oyster Perpetual Midsize Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: Stainless Steel Dial: Blue Face: Sapphir...
Rolex Ladies Date 69190 26mm Blue Dial Stainless Steel Jubilee
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 69190 Serial: W73**** Year: 1995 Model: Rolex Ladies Date Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Jubilee Bezel: Stainless Steel ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
2021 Rolex Midsize 31mm Steel Datejust 278240 Blue Roman Dial Box Papers
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Serial: 4A39F*** Year: 2021 Model: Midsize Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: Stainless Steel Dial: Blue Roman Dial Face: Sapphire Crysta...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 16000 36mm Blue Mother Of Pearl Diamond Dial Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 16000 Serial: R50**** Year: 1988 Model: Rolex Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Jubilee Bezel: Stainless Steel Dial: Custom B...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 16234 36mm Blue Sodalite Diamond Dial 18k Gold Steel Box Paper
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 16234 Serial: P10**** Year: 2000 Model: Rolex Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Jubilee Bezel: 18k White Gold Fluted...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Steel
Rolex Date 15200 Black Dial Diamond Bezel Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 15200 Serial: A184*** Year: 1999 Model: Rolex Date Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: Custom Diamond Bezel Dial: Black Face: Sapphire Crystal C...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
New Rolex Datejust 126300 Jubilee Steel Blue Roman Dial Automatic Watch B&P
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
New. Comes with an original box and papers. 5-year Rolex warranty.
Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41mm Steel Black Dial Automatic Watch 124300
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in Excellent condition. 2022 card. Box and Papers included. * Free Shipping within the USA * Two-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch's authenticity at any boutique or dealership within this period * Kindly be aware that international buyers must cover any customs taxes or duties imposed by their country. We do not defraud Customs. * Warranties provided by us are exclusively handled by our own certified watchmakers. Brand: Rolex Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Model Number: 124300 Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Style: Luxury Model: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 Vintage: No Escapement Type: Anchor Movement: Mechanical (Automatic) Number of Jewels: 31 Jewels Dial Color: Black Display: Analog Indices: 12-Hour Dial, Non-Numeric Hour Marks, Stick Indexes Bezel Type: Fixed Bezel Color: Gray Band Color: Gray Band Material: Stainless Steel Closure: Fold-Over Clasp Band Type: Bracelet Band Width: 15.5 mm Lug Width: 21 mm Case Material: Stainless Steel Case Color: Gray Water Resistance: 100 m (10 ATM) Watch Shape: Round Caseback: Solid Case Finish: Polished Case Size: 41 mm Case Thickness: 12 mm Features: Fixed Bezel, Luminous Hands, Sapphire Crystal, Screwdown Crown, Self-Winding, Swiss Made, Swiss Movement, Water-Resistant Year Manufactured: 2010-Now Customized: No Handedness: Right With Original Packaging: Yes With Booklet: Yes With Papers: Yes Seller Warranty: Yes Wrist Fit: 7.5 Inches Movement Caliber: Rolex Caliber 3230
Steel
New Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41mm Steel Black Dial Domed Oyster Watch 124300
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
New. It comes with an original box and paper. 5-year Rolex warranty.
Steel
New Rolex Datejust 41 126300 Steel Blue Roman Dial Automatic Mens Watch B&P
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
New. Comes with an original box and papers. 5-year Rolex warranty.
Steel
New Rolex Datejust 31mm 18K White Gold Diamond Blue Dial Ladies Watch 278384RBR
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with an original box and paper full set. 5 year Rolex warranty.
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Custom Blue Dial Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diam...
Stainless Steel
