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 Rare 1942 Bubble Back Ladies Steel Automatic Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1942 Rolex Ladies Reference 3869 Bubble Back Wrist Watch, 24 M.M. Stainless Steel 2 Piece Oyster case, original and unpolished, original Oyster Crown. Automatic, self winding ...
Steel
Vintage 1954 Rolex Small Second Manual Wind Watch Ref. 3882
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex’s early dress-watch craftsmanship is reflected in this vintage 1954 reference 3882, a manual wind watch with a refined small seconds layout. The design carries the understated ...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Watch. ROLEX Oyster Royal 2280 SS 30mm 1930s
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Rolex Oyster Royal 2280 Stainless Steel Case. Manual Windup Movement. Runs well. Circa 1939 Beautiful Watch. Generic Stainless Steel Bracelet (not original Rolex). 30mm round c...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Bubbleback 1946 Steel Automatic Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1946 Rolex Reference 3130 "Bubbleback" 31 M.M Stainless Steel 2 piece Oyster case, caliber 630, 17 jewel Automatic Self winding movement, Quality Redone as original Black dial ...
Steel
Rolex Royal ref 2280 Art-Deco c1936 S/Steel Manual 15 Jewels 30mm Mens' Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This fine & rare Art-Deco Rolex Royal reference 2280 S/Steel wristwatch, dating back to circa 1936, featuring: 30mm S/Steel Case, 35mm including the or...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Rolex Bubbleback 1949 Steel and Gold Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1949 Rolex Bubbleback Referance 5015, 32 M.M Stainless Steel 3 Piece case with Yellow Gold Engine turned Bezel and Gold Rolex Crown, Caliber 630 automatic, self winding movemen...
Gold, Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Cupronickel Ultra Prima Handwind Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex’s early Oyster design is presented here with distinctive vintage character, featuring a cupronickel case and a shaped profile that reflects the brand’s formative era of durable...
$4,119
H 1.54 in W 1.19 in
1943 Rolex Very Rare Lund & Blockley Oyster Aqua Vintage Mens Midsize World War
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
Rare Rolex Prince Jump Hour Doctor's Watch Steel 1491
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare vintage Rolex Prince reference 149, produced circa 1939, known as “Doctor’s Watch” from the late Art Deco period, characterised by its elon...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 5015 14k SS Mens 1940s 32mm Bubble Back Automatic RA690
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare, timeless classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref 5015 Bubble Back Automatic with 14k solid gold bezel, c.1940s, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed unrestored dial, applied Arabic numeral and dagger index hour markers, lumed minute and hour hands, sweeping central second hand, hands and dial in excellent, vintage condition, natural patinas due to age on hands and dial give its unique vintage look. Acrylic crystal. 14k solid gold Rolex engine turned bezel...
Gold, 14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Classic "Bubble Back" with Original Dial and Ladder Bracelet, 1949
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back / Reference 5015 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1949 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm X Diameter 39mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 18 Jewels / Caliber 630 DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Arabic Numerals / Original Blued Steel Leaf Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Period Ladder / Bamboo Braecelet, 17mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Rolex "Bubble Back" is fitted with the legendary Caliber N.A. Movement, their first Perpetual Winding caliber. The watch is entirely original, including the dial and crown. This unique watch has the very desirable Thunderbird Machined Bezel and lastly, it has a rare and original Ladder Bracelet...
Rolex Steel Early Speedking with Original Dial from 1941 or 1942
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Reference 3373 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 36mm X Diameter 30mm CIRCA / YEAR: 1941 / 1942...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Original Dial Bubble Back circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: "Bubble Back" / Oyster Perpetual METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel / Yellow Gold Bezel DIMENSIONS: Length 39mm X Diameter 33mm CIRCA: 1944 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: "N.A" Caliber / 17 Jewels Perpetual DIAL / HANDS: Original with Luminous Dial / Dauphine Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator and Original Ladder Bracelet, 17mm / Medium Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is the classic Rolex "Bubble Back" with an original dial, hands and Oyster Crown. It is based on the original design of the world's first automatic waterproof...
Rolex Steel and Rose Gold "Bubble Back" with Rare Original Dial from 1942
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back / Reference 2940 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel / 14Kt. Solid Pink Gold Bezel ...
Rolex Steel Oyster Raleigh with Original Patinated Dial 1930's Oyster
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Tudor STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Raleigh / Reference 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1941 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm X Diameter 29mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Caliber Font 30 DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a rare little watch by Rolex. It is part of the Tudor series but it signed Rolex Geneve...
Rolex Two Steel and Rose Gold with Original Dial and Ladder Bracelet from 1942
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back / Reference 2940 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel and 14k Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1942 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm X Diameter 39mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 630 DIAL / HANDS: Original Dial with Luminous Numerals / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original Ladder or Bamboo Bracelet 17mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Rolex Bubble Back...
