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 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
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 35MM Mens Automatic 1960s Vintage RA568B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref.1501 automatic, c.1960s, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed silv...
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
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Original Dial, circa Mid-1960'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: Mid 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm...
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 Mens Automatic 1960s All Original RA675
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref.1501 Men's automatic, c.1963, all original, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Role...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date With Factory Original Dial, circa 1970'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: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm x...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref 1002 All Original Mens 34mm 1960s Automatic RA793
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1002 automatic, c.1960, all original, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous, unrestored Rolex si...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Dial circa Late 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Late 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / Jewels DIAL / HANDS: ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Original Oyster Bracelet, 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This classic Oyster Perpetual Date is fitted with its original and rare smoky brown dial. We seldom see this model. The watch is entirely original and still has its original factory rating on it. It is also fitted with its original Rolex Oyster bracelet...
Vintage 1970 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1007 Stainless Steel Silver Dial Auto 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Root Of The Rolex Tree The Oyster Perpetual holds a unique place in the Rolex lineup, serving as the foundational model from which all other references evolved. It combined the ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stanless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Dial from 1957
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual .Date / Reference 6534 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1957 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm x...
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 15053, 34mm stainless steel, champagne dial, c 1989
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our lovely and unusual Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, reference 15053 features a 34mm stainless steel and 18k yellow gold case with champagne dial and Oyster bracelet in stainless stee...
Rolex Datejust Turn-o-graph Wristwatch Ref 16253, Aka "Thunderbird". Year 1987
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage and very rare Rolex Datejust Turn-o-graph reference 16253 aka the Thunderbird features a 36mm stainless steel case with rotating 18k yello...
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...
Rare Ladies Rolex Datejust 69178, 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Dial year 1987
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our ladies Rolex Datejust reference 69178 features a 26mm 18ct yellow gold case with 18ct president bracelet, and champagne with diamond set dial. Presented in original unpolished co...
Rolex Cellini, 5241/6 , the "Cellinium", manual, platinum, ice blue dial, c2001
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our very rare and desirable Rolex Cellini, reference 5241/6 , the "Cellinium" , with manual winding movement, features a 38mm platinum case with ice blue dial, and sub seconds dial m...
Platinum
Rolex GMT Master 1675 'Pepsi'/Pan Am' Bezel, 40mm Case, Mark 11 Dial, Year 1973
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage and attractive Rolex GMT Master reference 1675 features a 40mm stainless steel case with stainless steel bracelet and desirable Pepsi/ Pan Am blue/ red bezel. This exampl...
