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Rolex Marble Watch

Recent Sales

Vintage Rolex Grey Marble Watch Display, 1970
By Rolex
Located in Munich, DE
Marble watch display marked with golden letters by Rolex, 1970s.
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Marble

Vintage Rolex Grey Marble Watch Display, 1970
Vintage Rolex Grey Marble Watch Display, 1970
H 13.39 in W 22.45 in D 3.15 in
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Rolex for sale on 1stDibs

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.

A Close Look at mid-century-modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

Finding the Right centerpieces for You

A hallmark of design in an entertainment space is the centerpiece. Its main function is to draw the eye to a specific place in the room and promote symmetry. In dining areas, antique, new or vintage centerpieces can bring the entire tablescape of fine fabrics and china together.

A sculptural Art Deco–inspired primrose yellow cake stand is an example of how a singular item can transform the table. The New York– and Los Angeles–based interior designer Alexandra Loew agrees, suggesting that one such 1930s-era Schneider Glass piece, for example, could add a cheerful jolt to any staid dining table. Julia Buckingham, ​​of the Chicago firm Buckingham Interiors + Design, defines her style as “modernique” and shares with 1stDibs a striking dining-room project for Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS: white multidimensional art for the walls, monochromatic fabric from Pierre Frey for the dining chairs and large vases that are inspired by antlers for centerpieces, which she created for Global Views..

Centerpieces can be functional to the environment or a conversation starter. Explore a wide variety of antique, new and vintage centerpieces on 1stDibs — there are options for any space in one’s home. And don’t forget, unique centerpiece options for your dining table can also include an antique soup tureen brightened with flowers, stemless drinkware and other glass with flower heads, decorative vases and vessels and more.

Questions About Rolex
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    A new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date watch is worth around $6,000. However, if it's encrusted with gems or vintage, it can cost as much as $50,000. 1stDibs has a great and vast selection of Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The easiest way to adjust the time on the Rolex Oyster watch is by turning the crown. Turn it clockwise when you want increased hours or counter-clockwise for lower values, then push in until it clicks into place. On 1stDibs, you'll find a large collection of Rolex watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To adjust a Rolex's time, first unscrew the crown. Slide the crown to the second notch and wait for the second hand to stop moving before setting. The specific method varies from model to model. A user guide accompanies each Rolex watch sold and describes the correct time-setting process for that model in great detail. Find a large collection of Rolex watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    The new Submariner Rolex with a Black Bezel is worth around $8,100 with some of the more expensive new Submariners in yellow gold costing around $36,950.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Rolex recommends getting service on your watch every 7 to 10 years by an authorized Rolex watchmaker. Many Rolex watches will run far longer if you service them as recommended to prevent problems and help minimize wear. Find authentic vintage and modern timepieces from Rolex on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Ideally, to prevent damage to your watch, it’s best to visit a Rolex dealer to have your battery changed. If you need to change it yourself, loosen the screws, and carefully remove the old battery with a set of tweezers, install the new one, and tighten the screws. You'll find authentic vintage Rolex watches from top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, Tudor watches are made by Rolex. In fact, you often see the brand name referred to as "Tudor by Rolex." Hans Wilsdorf introduced the brand in 1946 to sell wristwatches at lower price points than Rolex timepieces. The brand relaunched in 2009 and has grown in popularity since. You’ll find a large selection of both Tudor and Rolex watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To wind a Rolex watch, first fully unscrew the winding crown. Once it is in a raised position, carefully turn the crown clockwise. Most watches require 25 turns for enough winding to begin powering the watch. The instructions included with Rolex watches provide more information about how to wind specific models. Shop a large collection of Rolex watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To wind a Rolex Oyster, set the crown notch (located on the right hand side of the face) to position one. To set it to position one, turn the crown counterclockwise to unscrew the crown and pop the crown out one notch. From this position, start to wind the Rolex by turning the crown clockwise. You should feel a bit of tension and hear a soft clicking sound. Browse a selection of well-vetted Rolex Oyster watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A Rolex Submariner bears an 18k stamp and the number “750,” which means that 75 percent of the watch is made out of pure gold model. The most luxurious of all timepieces, the Rolex Submariner has been continuously manufactured since 1951. Find vintage Rolex watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Each Rolex model may be slightly different, but most models feature a crown at the side that lets you adjust the time. Gently unscrew the crown by twisting it counter-clockwise. Gently pull it out and let it click through two extended positions until it reaches the third extended position. Twist it clockwise to adjust the time. When finished, press it back in and screw it in, in a clockwise direction to keep the watch waterproof. Browse through a range of authentic Rolex watches from top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A Rolex watch that is worn daily does not need winding. The Perpetual rotor uses the movement of your body to power the watch and it can hold this power for up to 70 hours. If you take off your watch for an extended period of time, more than the 70 hours, then it will need winding. Manual winding can be done by unscrewing the crown to the winding position and turning it clockwise about 20 times. Remember to screw the crown back tightly to reestablish its waterproof qualities. Shop a collection of authentic Rolex watches from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, a Rolex watch will hold its value and some of them even appreciate over time. This high-end brand has a grand reputation for superior quality, making it one of the more desirable watches available. Shop a collection of properly vetted vintage and contemporary Rolex watches from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Rolex uses only the highest quality melee diamonds with between D and G in color and IF in clarity. Every diamond is tested individually to make sure it is real.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, there are companies that allow you to rent Rolex watches. Some companies offer subscription services and allow you to choose to buy the watch at a certain point if desired. Shop a selection of vintage and contemporary Rolex watches on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, a Rolex can be traced using its unique serial number that is engraved into the watch. Noting down your watch’s serial number somewhere safe can help to identify it if it’s ever lost. Browse a collection of professionally vetted Rolex timepieces on 1stDibs from top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Almost all Rolex watches say “Swiss-Made” or “Swiss” on the watch face. Sometimes there is also the letter “T” included in this mark. Rolex is a Swiss brand and stands on the proud tradition of excellent Swiss timepiece construction. Shop a collection of authentic Rolex watches from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, a Rolex Air-King watch is waterproof. All Rolex watches are waterproof to depths of at least 330 feet except for Cellini styles, which are waterproof to a depth of at least 164 feet. Shop a wide range of verified authentic Air-King, Cellini and more Rolex styles on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Depending on what kind of watch you're looking for, one may be better than the other. For instance, if you want a highly functional sport watch, some of Rolex's models may be better for you. That said, the brands' watches are very similar quality-wise. The main difference is their appearances: While Rolex designs more traditional timepieces, Panerai is more contemporary and bold.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A Rolex watch’s second hand moves mechanically with precision, appearing to sweep the face smoothly without pause or interruption. It takes a very keen eye to spot the eight, slight tick-tock adjustments it makes each second. Shop a collection of authentic Rolex watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.