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 Vintage 5512 Gilt Underline Dial Pointed Crown Guard Submariner Full Set
By Rolex
Located in Boston, MA
A vintage Rolex Submariner, model 5512, with rare Underline gilt dial and pointed crown guard case. The round case measures 40mm in width, featuring the original black dial with gil...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1965 Rolex Submariner 5513 Stainless Steel Gilt Dial Automatic 40 mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Gilt Era Submariner The reference 5513 is one of the longest-running and most revered models in Rolex history. It is the definitive no-date Submariner, celebrated for its pure, ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Glossy Gilt Explorer Dial 5513 Steel Automatic Watch, 1964
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 5513 Year: 1964 Serial number: 11xxxxx Reference: C03610 Many have seen Rolex signature design the 3,6,9 known to be the e...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Non-Date Mark III Maxi Dial Lollipop 5513
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 40mm stainless steel Submariner Non-Date by Rolex. Featuring a distinctive black Mark III maxi dial. The features of this particular dial include: • Large tritium hour plots that ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Tropical Brown Glossy Gilt Dial 5512 Steel Automatic Watch 1960
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 5512 Year: 1960 Serial number: 55xxxx Reference: C03729; C03603 Case: Show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; inner case back stamped 5512 III.60; the bottom part of the serial engraving has been scratched off by the bracelet but can still eye out by the loupe Dial: Super Smooth Glossy Gilt Tropical Dial where the lumes are still intact and have turned into creamy color along with matching hands; there are some hairline (hard to capture on photo) and discoloration on the dial (specially right side of 6 o’clock) please view detail photos; the crystal is a bit scratched which might have reflected on the dial Bracelet: Rolex 7206 Rivet Bracelet...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Small Crown Gilt Black Dial 6205 Steel Automatic Watch 1954
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 6205 Year: 1954 Serial number: 21xxx Reference: OT1504 Model 6204 as the first small crown submariner produced in 1953, guarantee depth rate 100 meters. ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Non-Date 41mm 124060
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An unworn 41mm Submariner Non-Date in Oystersteel by Rolex. Featuring a black dial and a black ceramic unidirectional rotatable bezel with 60-minute graduations coated in platinum. ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Submariner Mark IV Dial1680
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 40mm Rolex Submariner in stainless steel. Featuring a distinctive mark IV black dial with open sixes, and a stainless steel bi-directional rota...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1978 Rolex Submariner 5513 Stainless Steel Black Dial Auto 40mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Archetype Of The Dive Watch The Submariner 5513 is not just a watch, it is the reference point for an entire category. Introduced in an era where tool watches were evolving rapi...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Date, Ref 1680, 40mm Case, Dial & Hands Coeval Patina, 1977/78
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage Rolex Submariner Date , reference 1680, features a 40mm stainless steel case with stainless steel bracelet. Presented in excellent condition for its age and as a sports R...
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Venetian Link Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
"Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Venetian Link Bracelet Product Details Xupes Ref: J1689 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Venetia Link Bracelet Type: Bracelet RRP: £535 Accompanied...
Sterling Silver
Cartier Diamond Set 18ct Yellow Gold Maillon Ring
By Cartier
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Cartier Diamond Set 18ct Yellow Gold Maillon Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: COMJ729 Brand: Cartier Model: Maillon Ring Type: Ring Serial Number: undefined Age: 2000 Accompanied By:...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18ct White Gold, Yellow Gold and Rose Gold Les Must de Cartier Ring
By Cartier
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Cartier 18ct White Gold, 18ct Yellow Gold and 18ct Rose Gold Medium Les Must de Cartier Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J1596 Brand: Cartier Model: Les Must de Cartier Ring Type: Ri...
Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 2.42ct Brilliant Cut Diamond Platinum Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. 2.42ct Brilliant Cut Diamond Platinum Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: COMJ810 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: 2.42ct Diamond Tiffany Setting Ring Type: Ring Age: 2001 Acco...
Diamond, Platinum
Tiffany & Co. 3mm Platinum Wedding Band Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. 3mm Platinum Wedding Band Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: COMJ786 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Wedding Band Type: Ring RRP: £1,300 Accompanied By: Tiffany &...
Platinum
Tiffany & Co. Brilliant Cut Diamond Platinum Full Eternity Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. Brilliant Cut Diamond Platinum Full Eternity Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J1245 Brand: Tiffany & Co. Model: Full Eternity Ring Type: Ring RRP: £6,500 Mater...
Diamond, Platinum
