Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref 1603 Custom Dial, Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1603 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 44mm X Diameter 36mm CIRCA: ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Ref 1601 Datejust Mens 1970s 36mm 18k SS Vintage Automatic RA790B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A timeless icon in black, Men's 18k yellow gold & stainless steel Rolex Oyster Ref. 1601 Datejust automatic black dial, c.1971, in excellent working condition.
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Ref 1601 Datejust 36mm 18k SS Mens 1970s Vintage Automatic RA790
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A world's icon, Men's 18k yellow gold & stainless steel Rolex Oyster Ref. 1601 Datejust automatic in black, c.1971, in excellent working condition.
Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Black Dial Jubilee Bracelet, Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1603 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1971-1972 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41m...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Albino Galvanized Cappucino Dial Datejust Wristwatch Ref 1607
By Rolex
Located in Westlake Village, CA
Case In 18K gold, bark finish bezel Movement Rolex, self winding caliber 1570 Dial Original albino galvanized cappucino, stick markers Band Original and matching bark finish R...
18k Gold
Rolex Perpetual Oyster Stainless Steel Datejust Black Dial
By Rolex
Located in Media, PA
Rolex Wristwatch with Black Dial 1602 Model Model Datejust 36MM Size Case In Perfect Working Order Has normal use ware but no damage Has scratches on Case Can be worn by Men or Wom...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Charcoal Dial Datejust Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
THIS CLASSIC ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST MODEL HAS A RARE PLAIN POLISHED BEZEL.
Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Datejust Oyster Perpetual Watch Dated 1970
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel / 18Kt. Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 43mm X Diameter 36mm CIRCA...
Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Datejust Oyster Perpetual Watch Dated 1970
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel / 18Kt. Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: 43mm X 36mm CIRCA: 1970 / 71 MOVEMENT / ...
Rolex Steel Datejust with Custom Pink Dial 1971 or 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA: 1971 or 1972 DIMENSIONS: 44mm x 36mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 26 Je...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Two-Tone Datejust Watch with Thunderbird Bezel from 1971 or 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: 42mm X 36mm CIRCA: 1971 / 1972 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Cal. 1570 DIAL / HANDS: Black Dial with Baton Markers / Baton Hands ATTAC...
Mens Rolex Oyster Datejust 1601 36mm 18k Gold SS Automatic 1970s Swiss RJC189S
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Men's iconic 18k gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref.1601 automatic, c.1971, in excellent working condition.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex White Gold Stainless Steel Datejust Turn-O-graph Self-Winding Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 1625.
18k Gold, White Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Two-Tone Datejust Rare Smooth Bezel circa, 1971 Flawless Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1600 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel and 14Kt.
Gold, Stainless Steel
Mens Rolex Oyster Datejust Ref 1601 18k SS Automatic 1970s Vintage RJC172
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless icon, Men's 18k gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref.1601 automatic, c.1971.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mens Rolex Oyster Datejust 1601 36mm 18k White Gold SS Automatic 1970s RA285
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic icon, Men's 18k white gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Datejust ref.1601 automatic, c.1971.
18k Gold, White Gold
Rolex White Gold Stainless Steel Datejust Turn-O-Graph "Thunderbird" Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 1625.
18k Gold, White Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Datejust with Custom Pink Dial, Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA: 1971 or 1972 DIMENSIONS: 44mm x 36mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 26 Je...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Ref 1601 Custom Purple Dial, Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Ref 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 43mm x 36...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Lady's Oyster Perpetual Date Wristwatch circa 1971
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Stk# 43642 Explanation about sizes of vintage Rolex watches: 36mm full size man's Datejust or Day-Date President. 34mm man's Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, or Oyster Perpetual Date.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Date Wristwatch circa 1971
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Explanation about sizes of vintage Rolex watches: 36mm full size man's Datejust or Day-Date President. 34mm man's Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, or Oyster Perpetual Date.
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 1603 Linen Dial Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 1603 Linen Dial Men's Watch. 36mm stainless steel case and 18k white gold fluted bezel.
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust Wristwatch Ref 1601
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust ref 1601 serial number 2.8 million circa 1971. 36mm diameter case with 14K white gold fluted bezel and acrylic crystal.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Rolex 18K Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust Factory Black Matte Dial 36mm in size 18K Yellow Gold Fluted Bezel 1971 Production Unpolished Case C...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Wristwatch Ref 1500 circa 1971
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Explanation about sizes of vintage Rolex watches: 36mm full size man's Datejust or Day-Date President. 34mm man's Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, or Oyster Perpetual Date.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Wristwatch Ref 1601 circa 1971
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel Datejust wristwatch, Ref. 1601, serial number 2.7 million, circa 1971. 36mm Oyster case with 14K white gold fluted bezel and acrylic crystal.
14k Gold, Stainless Steel, White Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Gold Bezel Oyster Perpetual DateJust Wristwatch Ref 1601
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Classic Datejust Stainless Steel Case with 18K White Gold Bezel. Reference 1601. Rolex Jubilee Band. Circa 1971. Serial numbers: 3213466. Silvered Dial with Stainless stick m...
Stainless Steel
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W 1.42 in Dm 1.42 in
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Wristwatch circa 1971 with Custom Sage Green Dial
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Explanation about sizes of vintage Rolex watches: 36mm full size man's Datejust or Day-Date President. 34mm man's Oyster Perpetual, Air-King, or Oyster Perpetual Date.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust Ref 1601 Stainless Steel “Fat Boy”, circa 1970
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust ref 1601 serial# 2.6 million circa 1970. 36mm diameter case with 14K WG fluted bezel and acrylic crystal and original silver satin pie pan “Fat Boy” ...
White Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Day-Date Wristwatch with Custom-Colored Dial circa 1971
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Self-winding calibre 1556 movement with sweep seconds and apertures for day and date. On a 18K YG Oyster style bracelet with deployment clasp. Explanation about sizes of vintage R...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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W 1.42 in Dm 1.42 in
Rolex Yellow Gold Day-Date President Wristwatch circa 1971 with Custom Blue Dial
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
With associated 18K yellow gold riveted link Oyster bracelet with deployment clasp. Explanation about sizes of vintage Rolex watches: 36mm full size man's Datejust or Day-Date Pre...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Wristwatch Ref 1601 circa 1971
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel Datejust wristwatch, Ref. 1601, serial number 2.7 million, circa 1971. 36mm case with 14K white gold fluted bezel and acrylic crystal.
14k Gold, Stainless Steel, White 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.