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.
$63,250
H 1.66 in W 0.56 in Dm 1.66 in
NEW Rolex Sky Dweller 42 18K Rose Gold Rubber White Dial Automatic Watch 326235
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Original Box and Papers are Included. * Free Shipping within the USA * Five-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch's a...
Rose Gold
$58,499 / item
Dm 1.66 in
Rolex Sky Dweller Custom Diamond Watch Rose Gold Chocolate Arabic Dial 326135
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Sky Dweller 18Kt Rose Gold Custom Diamond Watch with Chocolate Arabic Dial Rubber Strap 326135 This watch comes with a LIFETIME diamond rep...
Diamond, Rose Gold
$164,450
W 1.58 in Dm 1.58 in
Rolex Day-Date 40 18k Everrose Gold Diamond Eisenkiesel Dial M228345RBR Unworn
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Factory Diamonds. Comes with the original box and papers. * Free Shipping within the USA * Five-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...
Rose Gold
Rolex Datejust 41 Steel Rose Gold Sundust Index Dial Automatic Mens Watch 126331
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with the original box and papers. General Information Brand: Rolex Model: Datejust 126331 Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Style: Luxury Vintage: No Country/Region of ...
Steel
$22,770
W 0.52 in Dm 1.42 in
NEW Rolex Datejust 36 18k Rose Gold Steel Slate Wimbledon Dial Mens Watch 126231
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
New watch. Box and paper * Free Shipping within the USA * Five-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 and Model Information: Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex Datejust Model Number: 126231 Type and Style: Type: Wristwatch Style: Luxury Department: Men Display: Analog Vintage: No Year Manufactured: 2010-Now Design and Aesthetics: Dial Color: Slate Dial Pattern: Sunburst Indices: 12-Hour Dial, Roman Numerals Bezel Type: Fixed, Fluted Bezel Color: Rose Gold Band Color: 18k Rose Gold, Steel Band Material: Rose Gold, Stainless Steel Case Material: Stainless Steel Case Color: Steel Watch Shape: Round Band Type: Bracelet Closure: Fold-Over Clasp Case Finish: Polished Mechanical Specifications: Movement: Mechanical (Automatic) Movement Caliber: Rolex Caliber 3235...
Rose Gold, Steel
$38,460
H 1.62 in W 0.48 in Dm 1.62 in
Rolex Datejust 18k Rose Gold Steel Sundust Dial Automatic Mens Watch 126331
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. 2022-2023 Card. Comes with the original box and papers. Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex Datejust Model Number: 126331 Movement: Mechanical (Au...
Rose Gold, Steel
$51,748
H 1.66 in W 0.48 in Dm 1.66 in
Rolex Sky Dweller 42mm 326235 Rose Gold White Dial Automatic Watch B&P
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Mint condition. Box and papers. * Free Shipping within the USA * Two-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch's authe...
Rose Gold
$27,830
H 1.62 in W 0.48 in Dm 1.62 in
Rolex Datejust 41 18K Rose Gold Steel Chocolate Dial Mens Oyster Watch 126331
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Box and papers included. General Information Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex Datejust 126331 Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Model Number: 126331 Country/Region of Manufactu...
Steel
Rolex Sky Dweller 18k Everose Gold Dark Rhodium Dial Men Watch 326235
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn with 2022 Card. Brand: Rolex Department: Men Model Number: 326235 Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Model: Rolex Sky-Dweller Style: Luxury Band Color: Black Dial Color: Dark Rhodium Closure: Fold-Over Clasp with Flip Lock Safety Case Color: Rose Gold Display: Analog Year Manufactured: 2010-Now Indices: 12-Hour Dial, Non-Numeric Hour Marks Watch Shape: Round Vintage: No Bezel Type: Bidirectional Rotating, Fluted Bezel Color: Rose Gold Case Size: 42 mm Band Width: 16.5 mm Lug Width: 22 mm Case Thickness: 14 mm Features: Annual Calendar, Date Indicator, GMT, Luminous Hands, Month Indicator, Rotating Bezel, Sapphire Crystal, Screwdown Crown, Self-Winding, Swiss Made, Swiss Movement, Water-Resistant Movement: Mechanical (Automatic) Water Resistance: 100 m (10 ATM) Customized: No Band Type: Two-Piece Strap Number of Jewels: 40 Jewels Caseback: Solid Handedness: Left Band Material: Rubber Case Material: Rose Gold Case Finish: Polished With Original Packaging: Yes With Booklet: Yes With Papers: Yes Seller Warranty: Yes Wrist Fit: 7.25 inches Movement Caliber: Rolex caliber 9001
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Datejust 41 Steel 18K Rose Gold Wimbledon Roman Dial Mens Watch 126301
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with the original box and papers. Brand Information: Brand: Rolex Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Watch Type: Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Style: Dres...
Steel
Rolex Day-Date 40 Rose Gold 228235
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning unworn Day-Date, crafted in 18k rose gold by Rolex. Featuring a sun dust stripe motif dial with applied hour markers. Complementing the dial is a fixed rose gold fluted be...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Oyesterflex Rose Gold 116655
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A mens 40mm Yacht-Master in rose gold by Rolex. Featuring an intense black dial with the date and a matt black ceramic bidirectional rotatable bezel with raised 60-minute numerals an...
Rose Gold
Rolex Vintage Datejust Steel & 14k Rose Gold Grey Slate Dial 1601
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage Rolex Datejust reference 1601 in stainless steel and 14k rose gold. Featuring a superb grey slate dial with a date display and a 14k rose gold fixed fluted bezel. Fitted ...
Rose Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel, 14k Gold
Rolex Datejust 36mm Concentric Dial Roulette Date Wheel 116201
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 36mm Rolex Datejust reference 116201 in stainless steel and rose gold, featuring a distinctive black concentric dial with luminous Arabic numerals and hands. One of its most desir...
Rose Gold, Steel
Rolex Datejust 36mm Black Sunbeam Dial 116231
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 36mm Datejust in stainless steel and rose gold by Rolex. Featuring a black sunbeam dial with Roman numerals and a fluted rose gold bezel. The watch is presented on a Jubilee bracel...
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
Rolex GMT-Master II Root Beer Steel & Rose Gold Unworn
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A GMT-Master II Root Beer 126711CHNR in Oystersteel and Rose Gold by Rolex. Featuring a black dial with the date and second time zone hand. The black and brown ceramic bi-directiona...
Rose Gold, Steel
