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.
Vintage Rare 1986 Rolex DayDate President Model 18038 Brown Vignette Full Set
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 1986 Rolex Day Date President with Rare Brown Burst Dial Box and Papers - full set. Maker: Rolex Model: 18038 Day Date Year: 1986 Material: 18K Yellow Gold, Brilliant cut ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Day Date 18078 Red Degrade Diamond Dial 18K Yellow Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Rolex Day-Date 18038 Men's Watch. This timepiece features a 36mm case made of 18K yellow gold, complemented by an 18K yellow gold fluted bezel. The dial showcases a striking red degr...
18k Gold
Rolex President Brown Dial Diamond 18K Day Date Watch Ref 18038
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome, hardly ever worn Gentlemen’s Rolex President Day Date watch, Ref 18038 dated late 1986.It is crafted in 18k yellow gold. Featuring All Original scratch resistant Sapphire Crystal, rare specialty brown with original factory Diamond Dial, gold hands, day and cyclops lens date boxes...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Day Date 36MM 18038 Walnut Birch Wood Dial Bark 18K Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Rolex Gender: Men Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold Diameter: 36.00 mm Weight: 123.56 grams ROLEX Gent's 18K yellow gold, ROLEX Swiss-made wristwatch. Engraved with "18K" an...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date President 18038 36mm Champagne Dial 18K Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 18038 Serial: 644**** Year: 1980 Model: Rolex Day Date President Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Band: Custom 18k Yellow Gold President Bezel: 18k...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex President Day-Date 18078 36mm Bark Finish Champagne Dial 18k Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 18078 Serial: 615**** Year: 1979 Model: Rolex President Day-Date Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Band: 18k Yellow Gold Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex President 18078 Spanish Day-Date Yellow Gold Bark Finish Watch
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This Rolex President Spanish Day-Date in Yellow Gold with Bark Finish for men is in mint condition with a subtle patina. It features a certified chronometer self-winding movement. Th...
18k Gold
Rolex Datejust 31 Midsize Red Vignette 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). Red Vigne...
Rolex President Day-Date Men's 18k Gold Watch 18038
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex President Day-Date Men's 18k Gold Watch 18038 - Automatic winding; quick-set; sapphire crystal. President - Day-Date. 18k yellow gold case with fluted bezel ( 36 mm) Miller High Life...
Rolex 18K Yellow Gold Day Date 36mm Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
An enduring symbol of prestige and refined craftsmanship, this vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is crafted in 18K yellow gold and features the iconic fluted bezel that has bec...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date NOS Rare Oxblood Stella Dial 18038
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare yellow gold Day-Date by Rolex. Featuring the highly sought out and collectable oxblood Stella dial, which features emerald cut diamond hour markers and a fixed yellow gold flu...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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
Rolex Very Rare Day-Date Vintage Gents 18k Yellow Gold Champagne Omani Dial 1803
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 36 mm Very Rare 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Vintage Gents Wristwatch, champagne dial with applied hour markers, day at 12 0'clock, date at 3 0'clock, Omani Crest at 6...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date NOS Diamond Dial 18038
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A yellow gold NOS Day-Date by Rolex. Featuring a champagne dial set with 8 round brilliant cut diamond hour markers, 2 baguette cut diamond hour markers and a fixed yellow gold flute...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Rare Day-Date NOS Omani Dial 1803
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare NOS Day-Date crafted in 18k yellow gold by Rolex. Featuring a silver dial with applied hour markers, an Omani crest representing Oman's national symbol at 6 o'clock and a fixe...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Rare Day-Date Vintage Men's 18K Yellow Gold Omani Dial Bark Finish 1807
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A very rare 18k yellow gold Day-Date men's wristwatch by Rolex, produced for the Sultan of Oman. The silver dial with applied hour markers and the iconic day and date apertures, de...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
