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 Steel Oyster Perpetual with Original Dial, circa Mid-1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Mid 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Original Dial with Gilded Markers 60's / 70's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Factory House STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's / 70's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length...
Rolex Stanless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Dial from 1957
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual .Date / Reference 6534 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1957 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm x...
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Dial circa Late 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Late 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / Jewels DIAL / HANDS: ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original Oyster Bracelet, 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Oyster Perpetual Date is fitted with its original and rare smoky brown dial. We seldom see this model. The watch is entirely original and still has its original factory rating on it. It is also fitted with its original Rolex Oyster bracelet...
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Automatic Watch, Stainless Steel, 1960s
By Rolex
Located in Queens, NY
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Steel Automatic Watch, reference # 1500, with silvered dial, baton indexes, date window at 3 0'clock, powered by automatic self winding movement, worn on ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Classic Oysterdate with Original Dial, circa 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oysterdate / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm x Diameter ...
Rolex Oyster Perpetual with Original Patinated Dial from 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6285 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1951 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 4mm X Diamet...
Rolex Steel Rare Super Oyster Model with Original Dial from the Mid 1950's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Reference 6202 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1954 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm x Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 645 Full Size Bubble Back DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Triangle Markers / Original Luminous Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare model by the lengendary house of Rolex is fitted with its original experimental crown which was called the "Super Oyster." It does not screw down like their other models. They tried to design a crown that was waterproof but did not screw on. It was not a success and they abandoned the idea. This watch however, still has its original crown. The watch was just serviced by our team and keeps excellent time. It is also fitted with one of the last generations of the "Bubble Back" movement, the 645 caliber, an oversized example of the original caliber. This is a watch for a collector of unusual Rolex...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1501 All Original circa 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1501 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm x...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Remarkable Original Patinated Dial 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X...
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 35mm Mens Vintage Automatic 1970s RA604
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1501 Date automatic, c.1972, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed silver dial, ap...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 Mens Automatic 1960s All Original RA568
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref.1501 automatic, c.1960s, all original, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rol...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 35mm Mens Vintage Automatic 1970s RA604B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless iconic classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1501 Date automatic, c.1972, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed silver d...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref 1002 All Original Mens 34mm 1960s Automatic RA793
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1002 automatic, c.1960, all original, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous, unrestored Rolex si...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 34mm Mens 1960s Vintage Automatic RA763B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref.1501 Men's automatic, c.1967, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed silve...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 6564 Mens 34mm 1950s Vintage Automatic RA794B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A timeless classic, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6564 automatic, c.1957, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed silver dial,...
Stainless Steel
