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 Date with Rare Factory Original Charcoal Dial 1970
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 X...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Black Dial 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 41mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Caliber 1570 DIAL / HANDS: Original Charcoal with Baton Markers / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original Oyster Bracelet, 19mm / Full Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. This classic and elegant Rolex...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Mid Size Oysterdate with Original Bracelet Rare Charcoal Dial 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oysterdate / Reference 6466 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Diameter 3...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Black Dial, circa 1970s
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 x...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Original Charcoal Dial, Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Caliber. 1570 DIAL / HANDS: Original Metallic Blue / Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original Oyster Bracelet 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is one of Rolex's classic models, the Air King...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Factory Original Silvered Dial circa 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1003 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm X Dia...
Stainless Steel
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
Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Stainless Watch With Original Shantung Dial 1971
By Rolex
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
A men's vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual stainless watch Ref # 1002, with a service box. This Rolex with a production year of 1971 based on serial # (2688482) features a 34mm stainless...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 Mens Vintage Automatic 1960s RA675B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref.1501 Men's automatic, c.1963, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed silve...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970 Rolex Oyster Precision 6426 Stainless Steel Silver Dial Manual 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Pure Expression Of Rolex The Rolex Oyster Precision is one of the most direct expressions of the brand's original vision. The reference 6426, produced for several decades, represe...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1966 Rolex Oyster Royal 6426 Stainless Steel Silver Dial Manual 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Purity In Hand-Wound Form The Oyster Royal is Rolex at its most fundamental. It combines the brand's legendary water-resistant case with a reliable manual-wind movement, creating a ...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1972 Rolex Air-King 5500 Stainless Steel Silver Dial Automatic 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Purest Expression Of The Crown The Air-King is one of the oldest and most elemental models in the Rolex catalog. Born from a series of aviation-themed watches created to honor R...
Stainless Steel
