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 Stainless Oyster Perpetual Date With Rare Factory Original Black Dial 2002
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 2120 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 2002 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm X D...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Oyster Perpetual Air King with Original Factory Black Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 5500/1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970'S DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Leng...
Rolex Stainless Oyster Perpetual Air-King with Original Factory Black Dial 1974
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air-King / Reference 5500/1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1974 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 40 Length X 34 Diameter MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Caliber 1500's DIAL / HANDS: Original Factory Black Dial with Silver Baton Markers / Silver Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original Factory Oyster Bracelet, 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement This is a great example of the legendary Air King by Rolex...
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual With Factory Original Dial from 1970'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: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm x Diam...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King With Rare Factory Original Charcoal Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 5500/1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 39 L...
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Charcoal Dial 1970'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: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm ...
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36mm Steel Black Dial Automatic Men Watch 126000
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in mint condition. Comes with a box and papers. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. Rolex Oyster Perpet...
Steel
New 2025 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Steel Black Index Dial Automatic Watch 126000
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
New. Original box and papers. 5-year Rolex warranty. 🕰️ General Information Brand: Rolex Model: Oyster Perpetual Model Number: 126000 Year Manufactured: 2025 Vintage: No Count...
Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 134300 41mm Steel Black Dial Automatic Watch 2025 B&P
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Brand new, 2025 card, comes with original box and papers. 5 years 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
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 Black Dial Mens Watch Box & Papers
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 124300 Mens Watch. 41mm stainless steel case with smooth bezel. Black dial with luminous steel hands and index hour marker. Minute marker around the outer dial...
Stainless 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
