Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Original Patinated Waffle Dial from 1959
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference: 6084 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Dia...
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch from 1952
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6106 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 20 Jewels / Caliber 645 DIAL / HANDS: Original Matte...
Stainless Steel
Rolex "Carbonized" Oyster Perpetual Black Dial and Super Oyster Crown, 1950's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6084 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950 / 51 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X D...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual with Original Oyster Bracelet and Sub Seconds from 1957
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6504 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1957 / 58 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 31mm X D...
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Dial Ladies Watch Ref. 6623
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Women's Rolex 6623 Oyster Perpetual vintage ladies wrist watch in stainless steel. Featuring a vintage oyster bracelet, fold over clasp (deployment release), screw-down crown, and 26...
Stainless Steel
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 / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1951 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 4mm X Diamet...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Restored and Patinated Dial 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6085 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Diamet...
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6084 Stainless Steel Wristwatch c. 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Crafted in stainless steel, this vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6084 has a silver tone dial. The dagger-shaped hour markers, paired with the dagger hands, stand out for their geometr...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ovettone 6305/1 14K Gold Roulette Date
By Rolex
Located in PARIS, FR
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ovettone – 14K Yellow Gold – 1954 - Orig. Box. A superb Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ovettone in 14K yellow gold, dating from 1954 and preserved in outsta...
14k Gold
Rolex Vintage Oyster Perpetual 18K Yellow Gold 34mm 6564 Circa 1956
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual reference 6564, an exceptional yellow gold timepiece featuring a rare hobnail-patterned dial with applied gold faceted baton indices and a raise...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 6564 Mens 34mm 1950s Vintage Automatic RA794B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A timeless classic, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6564 automatic, c.1957, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed silver dial,...
Stainless Steel
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 / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1951 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Diamet...
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual from 1957 with Original Patinated Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6532 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1957 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diamet...
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 Steel and 14Kt. Oyster Perpetual Date from 1953 or 54
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 6532 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel and 14Kt Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 / 54 DIMENSIONS / SI...
14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Two Tone with Factory Original Dial From 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6105 METAL / MATERIAL: Two Tone Stainless Steel & Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Leng...
Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust With Rare Original Patinated Black Dial 1958
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 6605 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1958 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm...
White Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 6564 All Original Mens 34mm Automatic 1950s RA794
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic with iconic Gay Frères bracelet! Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6564 automatic dress watch, c.1959, all original with Gay Freres bracelet, in excellent working conditi...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare Factory Original "Deep Sea" Dial 1956
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual "Deep Sea" / Reference 6532 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1956 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34...
Rolex Steel and 14Kt. Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Bracelet. circa 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 6532 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel and 14Kt Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 / 54 DIMENSIONS / SI...
Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual with Rare Original Black Dial from 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6334 METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 34...
Rolex 1952-1961 Oyster 34 Perpetual Reference 1003 Two Tone Jubilee Band
By Rolex
Located in Providence, RI
This iconic two tone Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch blends luxury and functionality into a classic formal wrist watch. The exquisite dial features 14k yellow gold stick indices and the...
Stainless Steel
Rolex 6564 Oyster Perpetual 1950s Mens 34mm Gold-Capped Vintage Automatic RA789B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic vintage charm, rare Men's Rolex 6564 Oyster Perpetual gold-capped automatic dress watch, c.1956, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Go...
Gold, Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6564 34mm Mens Gold-Capped Vintage Automatic 1950s RA789
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless luxury, Men's rare Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6564 gold-capped automatic dress watch, c.1956, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous...
Stainless Steel, Gold, Gold Plate
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare Factory Original "Deep Sea" Dial 1956
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual "Deep Sea" / Reference 6532 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1956 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34...
Rolex Rare Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual from 1952 Oversized Bubble Back Movement
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6334 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 / 54 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare Factory Original "Deep Sea" Dial 1956
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual "Deep Sea" / Reference 6532 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1956 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Original Dial from 1958
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1958 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm X Diameter 35mm...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare, Bulls Eye Dial from 1958 Caliber 1060
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6552 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1958 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 40mm Length X Diamet...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 6580 14k Gold SS 1950s Mens Vintage Automatic RA786B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare timeless classic, Men's Rolex Oyster ref.6580 automatic dress watch, c.1954, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed whi...
14k Gold, Stainless 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
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Gold 34mm Bark Finish Watch in 18K Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
ROLEX 1950'S VINTAGE GOLD WATCH *Good condition with Rolex box, no papers. -Brand: Rolex -Reference: 1503 -Year: 1954 -Wrist Size: 7" -Material: 18k Yellow Gold -Dial: Black -Case D...
18k Gold, Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual with Original Oyster Bracelet and Sub Seconds circa 1957
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6504 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1957 / 58 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 31mm X D...
Stainless Steel
Unavailable
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6084 Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6084 men's Watch. 36mm stainless steel case with smooth bezel. Offf-white patina dial with gold hands Arabic numeral hour markers. Brown crocodile leather stra...
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Self Winding Wristwatch Ref 6564
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref 6564 stainless steel, case serial # 436,xxx circa 1959.
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 6085 Watch, 1953
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1953 Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual VERY EARLY Ref. 6085 Two Tone 14k Rose Gold Machined Bezel and Stainless Steel Case watch with White Dial with Applied Rose Color Arabic 3, 6, and...
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6480, Ivory Dial, Certified and Warranty
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference #: 6480. Mens Mechanical Hand Wind Watch Stainless Steel Ivory 34 MM. Verified and Certified by WatchFacts. 1 year warranty offered by WatchFacts.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6305, Ivory Dial, Certified and Warranty
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference #: 6305. Mens Automatic Self Wind Watch Stainless Steel Ivory 36 MM. Verified and Certified by WatchFacts. 1 year warranty offered by WatchFacts.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6480, Ivory Dial, Certified and Warranty
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference #: 6480. Mens Mechanical Hand Wind Watch Stainless Steel Ivory 34 MM. Verified and Certified by WatchFacts. 1 year warranty offered by WatchFacts.
Rolex Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Deep Wristwatch Ref 6567
By Rolex
Located in Milano, IT
Unusual and very rare 18 KT.yellow gold Rolex oyster,water resistant case with special honeycomb dial and registered meters and feet. Doré color dial with applied gold indexes and da...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 6085 in Stainless Steel, 1957
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1957 Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 6085 Stainless Steel watch with Machined Bezel with Original Silver Dial with Applied Gold Beveled Elongated Arrow Markers with Original Stai...
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 6084 Stainless Steel Watch, 1952
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1952 Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 6084 Stainless Steel watch with Silver Dial with Applied Steel Arabic 3, 6, 9, and 12 Plus Elongated Arrow Markers. 34mm x 38mm lug to lug (1...
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 6085 Stainless Steel Watch, 1958
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1958 Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 6085 Stainless Steel watch with Machined Bezel with Original Silver Dial with Applied Gold Color Arabic 3, 6, and 9 with Elongated Beveled Ar...
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual 14 Karat Yellow Gold Watch, 1955
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1955 Vintage Rolex Ouster Perpetual Ref. 6564 14k Yellow Gold with Original Silver Dial Turning Golden Brown with Applied Beveled Gold Stick/Bar/Baton Markers. Case size, 34mm x 38mm...
Rolex Stainless Steel and 14 Karat Gold Oyster Perpetual Ref 6085, circa 1953
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Stainless Steel and 14K yellow gold Oyster Perpetual ref 6085, serial #855,xxx circa 1953. Featuring 34mm diameter case with fine engine turned “milled” bezel and acrylic crys...
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex 18K Gold Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref. 6605
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
18K yellow gold Rolex Ref. 6605 Oyster Perpetual Datejust, circa 1950's, is a tonneau-shaped, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with date. Th...
18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust Wristwatch Ref 6084
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
1957 Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Off white dial with minor stains and luminous markers. Plain bezel. Rolex steel buckle. Late bubble back model. Circa 1957. Steel Lug tip to lug: 39...
Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Pre Explorer Automatic Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Pre Explorer Men's Stainless Steel Watch 6098 - Automatic winding. Stainless steel case with smooth bezel (35mm diameter). White dial with gold Arabic numeral...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Gilt and Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch with Custom-Colored Dial
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Rolex gilt top and stainless steel back wristwatch, Ref. 1024, circa 1959, 26-jewel wristwatch with refinished custom color dial, plain bezel. Length: 40mm Width: 34mm Case thic...
Gilt Metal, Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Datejust Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch Ref 6105
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Men's 17 jewels, 18tkt yellow gold early Rolex Datejust. Original Dauphine hands and original restored dial. Reference Number: 6105
18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust Wristwatch Ref 6605
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Very Rare 25 jewels early Rolex Datejust with the original Jubilee early style bracelet. Original Dauphine hands and original restored dial. Reference Number: 6605 Caliber: 1065
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel AirKing Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch Ref 5504
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
“The ultimate vintage watch”… a larger-than-normal stainless steel Rolex AirKing with a 36mm case size. The stylized arrow markers and original hands create a legitimate vintage aest...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Bubble Back Wristwatch Ref 6332
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: 6332 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Oyster Perpetual "Bubble Back" DIAL / HANDS: Restored Dial DIMENSIONS: 33mm X 42mm ATTACH...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Factory Original Patinated Dial 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6085 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Diamet...
Sold
W 1.26 in L 1.54 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback "Ovetto" Ref. 3131 Automatic, 14K Gold, 1958.
By Rolex
Located in PARIS, FR
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Ovetto Ref. 3131 – 14K Yellow Gold – 1958 – Rare Original Black Dial – Original Box A superb Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Ovetto reference 313...
14k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch Ref 6564 circa 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
This watch contains every celebrated element of vintage Rolex: Original stylized hands, raised markers, an original 1950s Oyster bracelet and a unique-to-1950s-watches textured-linen...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual "Sunken Dial" Wristwatch circa 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Rolex Gents Stainless Steel Automatic watch. This rare Rolex from the 1950's features an even rarer "Sunken Dial" on the dial with crosshairs and a steel blue sweep second hand. A v...
Stainless Steel
1954 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Classic Vintage Mens Automatic Watch with Bubbleback
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ladies 6509 • 14K Yellow Gold • Honeycomb Dial
By Rolex
Located in Media, PA
*****note this is not a perfect or in very good condition. This watch is more of a collectors watch, nothing has been touched on the dial which collectors desire. Beautiful Rolex O...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Vintage Semi Bubble Back Oyster Perpetual Manual Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rare 18k Yellow Gold Semi Bubble Back Oyster Perpetual Vintage Gents Wristwatch, silvered dial with applied hour markers, a fixed 18k yellow gold coin edge bezel, a very rare origi...
18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual White Dial Automatic Wristwatch Ref 1005
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Rolex MPN: 1005 Model: Oyster Perpetual Case Material: Stainless Steel Case Diameter: 36mm Crystal: Plastic Bezel: Fluted 18k Yellow Gold Dial: White dial with gold hands, mar...
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
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.
A fresh palette of dial colors and technological advances have elevated this classic watch model.
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.