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.
Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches
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.
Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 5003 Stainless Steel White Dial Automatic Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Ladies ''Bubble back'' Rolex Oyster Perpetual in stainless steel & 14k on leather strap.
Rolex Ladies 18Kt. Gold Early Perpetual Winding "Bubble Back" Watch, circa 1949
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: "Bubble Back" / Reference 5002 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Ladies "Bubble Back" with Custom Mother of Pearl Dial 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back / Reference 6006 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Diameter 29...
Stainless Steel
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 wheel. Original ruby steel riveted oyster band. Unpolished, minor scratches to case an...
Steel, 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 Bubbleback 1946 Steel Automatic Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1946 Rolex Reference 3130 "Bubbleback" 31 M.M Stainless Steel 2 piece Oyster case, caliber 630, 17 jewel Automatic Self winding movement, Quality Redone as original Black dial ...
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...
Rolex Steel Rare Super Oyster Model with Original Dial from the Mid 1950's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Reference 6202 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1954 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm x Diameter 34mm MOV...
Rolex Steel Early Speedking with Original Dial from 1941 or 1942
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Reference 3373 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 36mm X Diameter 30mm CIRCA / YEAR: 1941 / 1942...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Watch. ROLEX Oyster Royal 2280 SS 30mm 1930s
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Rolex Oyster Royal 2280 Stainless Steel Case. Manual Windup Movement. Runs well. Circa 1939 Beautiful Watch. Generic Stainless Steel Bracelet (not original Rolex). 30mm round c...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Royal ref 2280 Art-Deco c1936 S/Steel Manual 15 Jewels 30mm Mens' Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This fine & rare Art-Deco Rolex Royal reference 2280 S/Steel wristwatch, dating back to circa 1936, featuring: 30mm S/Steel Case, 35mm including the original signed screw-down cr...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Rolex Steel and Rose Gold "Bubble Back" with Rare Original Dial from 1942
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back / Reference 2940 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel / 14Kt. Solid Pink Gold Bezel CIRCA / YEAR: 1942 DIMENSIONS / S...
Rare Rolex Prince Jump Hour Doctor's Watch Steel 1491
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare vintage Rolex Prince reference 149, produced circa 1939, known as “Doctor’s Watch” from the late Art Deco period, characterised by its elongated dual-register dial layout. Th...
Stainless Steel
1948 Rolex Ref. 4498 Vintage Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wristwatch, Unpolished
By Rolex
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Rolex Ref. 4498 Vintage Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wristwatch An elegant vintage Rolex wristwatch, Reference 4498, dating to circa 1948, featuring a classic stainless steel case an...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking with Original Dial and Hands from 1947
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Reference 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm X Diameter 30m...
Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Original Vintage Patinated Dial 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oysterdate / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 3...
Vintage Rolex Watch. ROLEX Oyster SPEEDKING 4302 SS and 9k Bezel. 29mm
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Rolex Oyster SpeedKing 4302 9k Yellow Gold Bezel and Stainless Steel Case. Manual Windup Movement. Runs well. Circa 1946 Beautiful Watch. New Genuine Leather band. 29mm round c...
9k Gold, Stainless Steel
ROLEX Watch. Rolex ref. 6426 Rare Subseconds Dial 1960s Mens Rolex watch.
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage Rolex Mens Watch Stainless Steel Case ref.6426 / 6427 Windup Movement. Runs well. Circa 1960 New Leather Band. Beautiful Watch. 34 mm round Case
Stainless Steel
Rolex Bubbleback 1949 Steel and Gold Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1949 Rolex Bubbleback Referance 5015, 32 M.M Stainless Steel 3 Piece case with Yellow Gold Engine turned Bezel and Gold Rolex Crown, Caliber 630 automatic, self winding movemen...
Gold, Steel
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Cover Open Link Watch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Very special item designed by Van Cleef & Arpels, this is a ropetwist gold and diamond open link bracelet watch. Designed with graduating twist rope segments whith the center section...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Baignoire Mini 18K Yellow Gold Bangle Watch 17
By Cartier
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Sold out worldwide with a waitlist extending over a year, this petite timepiece is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Skilfully created in the house's Swiss atelier, it boasts 18-karat ...
Omega Ladies Diamond Yellow Gold Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in Stamford, CT
Ladies late 1960's Omega diamond dress wristwatch. Crafted in 18k yellow gold accented with a 24 round cut diamonds along the bezel which are set in 18k white gold. Solid Omega mesh ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,780Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Large
1960s Jean Patou Vintage Wool Jacket + Skirt Suit Ensemble with Faux Fur Trim
By Jean Patou
Located in Sparks, NV
Completely amazing vintage 1960s Jean Patou black wool jacket and skirt ensemble with faux fur trim and gold studs. Incredible tailoring and construction and chic enamel buttons. Ful...
Thierry Mugler S/S 1994 White Pleated Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in New York, NY
Thierry Mugler S/S 1994 White Fan Pleated Dress; with pleated gathering to central metal ring at midriff, satin-covered lightly-boned corset to interior. Fits US size 4, EU 34; Miss...
$2,847
W 2.17 in L 3.55 in
Hermès 20th Century Silver Chainmail Coin Purse Spurs Shaped Gaetan de Percin
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremely Rare Authentic Hermès Chainmail Coin Purse Vintage Item from Mid-20th Century Made of silver flowing meshes (crab hallmark) Spurs shaped clasp "HERMÈS" and crab hallma...
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Wristwatch in Rose Gold
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in New York, NY
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso 260.2.86 wristwatch exudes a distinct charm with its polished 18k rose gold case and silvered dial. It features a slim, reversible rectangular case measu...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
$8,792Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.91 in D 6.3 in L 10.83 in
Auth. Hermès Clutch Bag Pallonnier Black Porosus Crocodile Vintage Collector
By Hermès
Located in Ottawa, CA
Hermès Pallonnier Clutch Bag – Black Porosus Crocodile – EXVC – 2410121651 Brand: Hermès Type/Model: Pallonnier Clutch Bag Color: Black Material: Porosus Crocodile (Exterior), Calf ...
$5,694
H 7.68 in W 1.58 in L 8.47 in
Exceptional Hermès Shoulder Bag Purse Green-Grey Lizard Gold Hdw RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Gorgeous and rare Authentic Hermès Bag Made in France Vintage bag, no stamp Made of Lizard and Golden Hardware Lined with smooth lambsink Leather Colorway: green-grey 1 main co...
$102,499
H 0.28 in Dm 0.61 in
Vintage Platinum Audemars Piguet Haute Joaillerie Diamond Tennis Bracelet Watch
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Antwerp, BE
StunningHigh Yewellery Platinum Tennis bracelet / watch Audemars Piguet. Calibre: 2426 Diamonds: The bracelet has together 16,2 carat diamonds. D color Internally Flawless Materi...
Diamond, Platinum
Patek Philippe Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond Art Deco Manual Wristwatch, 1920s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Water Mill, NY
Unique 1920's Patek Philippe Platinum 4.00 cts Diamond Art Deco Wristwatch Retailed by Tiffany with Silk Band and Original Platinum Clasp...Manual Wind In Running Condition. Dial sig...
Diamond, Platinum
$13,000Sale Price|40% Off
Rare Limited Edition Fendi F3 Secret Code Bag Brown Alligator Mink Fur Satchel
By Fendi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare Limited Edition Fendi Brown Alligator and Mink Fur F3 Secret Code Bag in excellent condition. Brown alligator leather exterior trimmed with brown mink fur and brushed gold hardw...
$4,327
Hermès bag 1950s-1960s
By Hermès
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
HERMÈS - (Made in France) Navy-blue box leather and marled beige H canvas bag with a gold-plated fasterner on a flap. Design from the 1950s-1960s. Condition: Very good condition Di...
Cartier Panthère 18k White Gold 27mm Quartz 1991 Box Only, Full Links
By Cartier
Located in Berlin, BE
Cartier Panthère watch in 18k white gold, manufactured in 1991. The watch comes with its original box but without papers. It features a 27mm case, quartz movement, and is presented w...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Retro Ladies Platinum Patek Philippe 11 Carat Diamond Watch & Brooche circa 1950
By Patek Philippe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ladies Original Platinum Patek Philippe set with 11 Carats of Natural Diamonds, Circa 1950. (With Original Attachment Brooche). Total weight of watch and attachment brooche is 74 gra...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 18ct Gold Stamped, 1980s Diamond Cat Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Cat Brooch 18ct Gold Stamped Elevate your accessory collection with this exquisite 1980s cat brooch, meticulously crafted from 18ct yellow gold. This beautifully detailed ...
Diamond, Gold, 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.