Vintage Rolex Datejust Reference 1601 Two-Tone Watch, 1968
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1968 Vintage Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 Two Tone 14k Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel watch with
Vintage Rolex Datejust Reference 1601 Two-Tone Watch, 1968
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1968 Vintage Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 Two Tone 14k Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel watch with
Vintage 1968 Rolex Datejust 36MM 1601 Silver Dial Steel Yellow Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Houston, TX
Ref. No.: 1601 Serial No.: 1,787,XXX Production Year: 1968 Water Resistance: 100 meters Caliber
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Custom Dial Automatic Wristwatch Ref 1601
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1968 Rolex Datejust, 36 MM Reference 1601 Stainless Steel Waterproof Oyster case with Fluted
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Wristwatch Ref 1601 1968
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage Rolex Datejust ref 1601 case serial number 1.9 million circa 1968. Featuring 36mm diameter
14k Gold, Stainless Steel, White Gold
Vintage Rolex Datejust Reference 1601 Two-Tone Watch, 1968
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1968 Vintage Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 Two Tone 14k Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel watch with
Rolex Datejust ref 1601 18K Yellow Gold circa 1968
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage Rolex Datejust ref 1601,18K yellow gold 36mm case with a 2.4 million serial number, circa
18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Wristwatch Ref 1601 circa 1968
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage Rolex Datejust ref 1601 case serial number 1.8 million circa 1968. Featuring 36mm diameter
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Gold Datejust ref. 1601 circa 1968
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex SS & pink gold Datejust ref 1601 serial # 1.8 million circa 1968 with 14K pink gold fluted
Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
Rolex Datejust Stainless Steel and White Gold Ref 1601 circa 1968
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Datejust stainless steel ref 1601, serial# 2.3 million circa 1968. Featuring 36mm diameter
White Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust self winding wristwatch Ref 1601, circa 1968
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust ref 1603 serial # 1.9 million circa 1968. Full size man’s 36mm
Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust Stainless Steel and 14 Karat White Gold Ref 1601, circa 1968
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Datejust stainless steel and 14k white gold ref 1601, serial# 1.7 million circa 1968
White Gold, Stainless Steel
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.