Rolex Stainless Steel Early Oyster Perpetual with Original Dial from 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6085 METAL
Rolex Stainless Steel Early Oyster Perpetual with Original Dial from 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6085 METAL
Rolex Steel Late Series Bubble Back Movement with Original Dial from 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6285 METAL
Rolex Stainless Steel Early Oysterdate with Rare Super Oyster Crown, circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Super Oysterdate / Reference 6094 METAL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual with Original Patinated Dial from 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6285 METAL
Rolex Oyster Date Precision Stainless Steel Men's Wristwatch Ref 6066
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century all original, 1951 Rolex stainless steel oyster date precision wristwatch. Red date
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Date Custom Color Automatic Wristwatch, 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1951 Rolex Reference 1501, Date Model Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. Stainless Steel Oyster case with
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Royal manual Wristwatch Ref 6144, 1951
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Rolex Oyster Royal, Ref:6144, Serial No.809892 1951 Jewelled manual wind movement, silvered
Rolex Rose Gold Chronograph Wristwatch with Black Dial Ref 4062 circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Rolex 18k rose gold chronograph wristwatch with black dial, Ref. 4062, Case Number 845132, circa
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Steel Rare Model with Machined Bezel Super Oyster, circa 1951 or 1952
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Ref. 6107 METAL
Rolex 1951 Steel Self Winding Wrist Watch with Cali Bubbleback Style Dial
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1951 Rolex Reference 6558 Wrist Watch, 36 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 piece Oyster case. Caliber
Steel
Rolex Oyster Date Precision Vintage Steel Mechanical Custom Dial Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1951 Rolex Reference 6694 Oyster Date Precision Wrist Watch. 34 M.M. 3 piece Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Rolex Two Tone Oyster Perpetual with Original Dial from 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6084 METAL
Rolex Stainless Steel Sub Seconds Bubble Back Watch, circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / "Bubble Back" METAL
Rolex Stainless Steel with Rare Full Size Bubble Back Movement from 1951 or 1952
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Super Oyster / 6084 METAL
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Wristwatch Ref 6084
By Rolex
Located in Milano, IT
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Wristwatch Ref 6084 circa 1951 A very nice clean Rolex in excellent
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Precision Ref. 6022 Watch, 1951
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1951 Vintage Rolex Oyster Precision Ref. 6022 10k Yellow Gold watch with Original Silver Dial with
Rolex Oyster Ref 6022 Original Dial, circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster ref # 6022 in stainless steel, case serial # 761,xxx circa 1951. Featuring 34mm
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 6084 Stainless Steel Watch, 1951
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1951 Vintage Rolex Early Oyster Perpetual Ref. 6084 Semi-Bubbleback Stainless Steel watch with
Rolex Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Zephyr Wristwatch circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brand Name: Rolex Style Number: 1008 Series: Oyster Perpetual Gender: Men's Case Material
Rolex Yellow Gold Bombe Red Officially self winding wristwatch, circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare example Rolex 18K YG Bombe ref # 6090 serial# 759,xxx circa 1951 with red printed OFFICIALLY
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel and Rose Gold Viceroy Wristwatch circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel and rose gold Viceroy wristwatch, Ref. 3359. Steel tonneau case with nicely
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 6084 14 Karat Yellow Gold Watch, 1951
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1951 Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Big Semi Bubbleback Ref. 6084 14k Yellow Gold watch with
Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Wristwatch circa 1951 with box and papers
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel Speedking wristwatch, Ref. 6420, circa 1951, complete with original box and
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual 18 Karat Yellow Gold Watch, 1951
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1951 Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 6084. 18K Yellow Gold case. Case size, 34mm wide
Rolex Perpetual Automatic 18 Carat Gold, circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
A rare and very well preserved vintage Automatic Perpetual wristwatch by Rolex Circa 1951. 18ct
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Kt Rainer Brand Triple Date Moonphase Chronograph Wrist Watch, Collectors
Located in Antwerp, BE
18 Kt Rainer Brand Triple Date Moonphase Chronograph Wrist Watch, Brand New In Box With all Warranty Papers, Rare Collectors Watch Case : 18 Kt Solid Gold, Diameter 39.5 mm Strap :...
18k Gold
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.34 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6634 34mm Gold Capped Mens 1950s Automatic Original RA673
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref.6634 "Golden Egg" gold-capped automatic, c.1959, all original, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker....
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Stainless Steel 26mm Just Date Women's Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date display watch is a classic example of Rolex's timeless elegance and durability. With it's versatile satin 26mm stainless steel case, this water resis...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Factory Original Charcoal Dial 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Date / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter ...
Stainless Steel
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 M...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Classic Air King from 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: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 35m...
Stainless Steel
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
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Bracelet and Rare Dial
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: 1969 / 70 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41m...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Bubble Back Rare Roman Dial Perpetual Wind Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 40mm X Diameter 32mm CIRCA: 1940's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perp...
On Hold|$6,960
W 1.34 in
Mens Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 1007 34mm 18k Solid Gold Automatic 1960s RA438
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxurious elegance, Men's 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster perpetual ref.1007 automatic, c.1967, in excellent working and aesthetic condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. G...
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Yellow Gold Datejust Wristwatch Ref 6605
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Rolex Stainless Steel and 14k Yellow Gold Datejust Wristwatch, Ref. 6605. Natural wear/patina on the dial. Stainless steel and 14k yellow gold Bracelet Length: 8 1/4 inches and adju...
14k Gold, Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold, Gold, Steel
1940s Rolex Unisex Manual Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
This is a 1940s 14ct yellow gold unisex Rolex Chronometer watch. The dial is an off-white colour with rose gold hands and roman numeral indices at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock. The watch f...
Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Historical Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Big Red 6263 steel 1979
By Rolex
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
First launched in 1963 and created specifically for the world of automotive racing, the Rolex Daytona collection is arguably one of the most popular and universally respected lines o...
Steel
Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual Very Rare Deepsea From 1954 / 55 Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6332 METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1954 / 55 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Diamet...
Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt. Two-Tone Oversized Late Art Deco Wristwatch from 1940s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Solid Yellow and White Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 47mm X Width 29mm CIRCA: 1940's MOVEMEN...
Rolex Stainless Steel Chronometer Bubbleback with Black Dial 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 2940 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1945 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diamet...
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.
Antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches have captured the hearts and minds of all manner of watch collectors as well as the watchmakers themselves — it's time you found your own.
Certain vintage watches for men and iconic watch designs for women are sought after not only because of their graceful proportions or innovative materials but also because of the illustrious histories of the houses that created them, histories that they stylishly embody.
Bulgari’s legendary Serpenti watch was on everyone’s list after the collection’s bold bracelet, which technically debuted after the timepiece, graced the wrist of actress Elizabeth Taylor. If anything, elaborately crafted timepieces — the unmistakably boxy silhouette of Cartier Tank watches, the elegant and minimal Calatrava designed by legendary Swiss house Patek Philippe — are even more effective than the shape we associate with traditional wristwatches.
Form watches — the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches — are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. At the same time, both casual fans and careful collectors are drawn to the unbeatable charm of vintage styles, such as the icons designed by Omega that even James Bond can’t resist.
In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. Designer Gérald Genta, whose range of clients included Rolex, created for Audemars Piguet the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from stainless steel. First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.
Are you shopping for a wristwatch? It’s good to keep your needs as well as your specific personal style in mind: A smaller, subtle timepiece is a good fit for small wrists. When will you be wearing your new accessory? There’s a versatile model out there for everyday wear, while a rugged, feature-heavy watch is a safe bet if you’re prone to embarking on all-weather activities in the great outdoors.
Find antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches for sale on 1stDibs.
The watch has transformed several times over, but it’s still undeniably a classic.
This is perhaps the least subtle version of the Submariner.
If you think this looks like the Rolex Kermit, you're correct.
This model was designed for lefties.
Learn the devious techniques that counterfeiters use to sell inauthentic pieces at authentic prices. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller of Rolex watches is highly vetted.
From understanding the models to choosing among vintage, pre-owned and new watches, here’s our expert advice on finding the best Rolex for you.
As the cache goes on display at London’s Design Museum, we speak to its enigmatic owner about some of his rarest acquisitions.
These companies have stood the test of time, making exceptional pieces for generations.