Rolex 2 Tone Ladies Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 4575 METAL / MATERIAL: Two Tone Steel & Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm ...
1966 Rolex Ladies Dress Watch, Silver Dial - 14K White Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. ...
White Gold
1960's Rolex Ladies Dress Watch, Silver Dial - 14K White Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. ...
White Gold
Rolex 18Kt Solid Gold Ladies Dress Watch circa 1950 with Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold / Set with Vintage Rose Cut Stones .75Cts. CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZ...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Cellini Danaos 18K Rose Gold Black Dial Ladies Quartz Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Vintage Ladies Luxury Dress Watch Brand: Rolex Model: Cellini Danaos Reference: 6229 Metal: 18K Rose Gold Case Size: 26mm cushion-shaped Movement: ...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Precision 2-Tone Manual Wind Flex Stretch Bracelet Ladies Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Vintage Ladies Dress Watch Brand: Rolex Model: Precision Metal: Two-Tone Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel Case Size: 22mm Movement: Manual Wind Dial...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Cellini Geneve 23mm 18K White Gold Blue Dial Ladies Manual Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
18K Rolex Cellini Ladies 23mm 1974 w/ Blue Leather Strap 7" Adjustable ; 7/10 Vintage Condition (Dial Fading) A 1974 vintage Rolex Cellini Genève ladies manual wind wristwatch in an...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Datejust Presidential Diamond Ruby 18K Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
The model 69178, produced in 1988, represents the pinnacle of Rolex's ladies dress watch output during the late 1980s, a period when Rolex embraced full gem-setting as an expression ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Cellini 3807 Champagne Dial 18K Gold Manual Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Dent mark on the bottom left side of the bracelet near the face. Vintage Rolex box included upon request. Product Specifications: Item Type: Vintage Ladies / Unisex Dress Watch Bra...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Precision 22m 18K Gold Champagne Dial Manual Wind Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Complete with original Rolex box. Product Specifications: - Item Type: Vintage Ladies Dress Watch - Brand: Rolex - Model: Precision - Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold - Case Shape: C...
18k Gold
Rolex Datejust 31mm Silver Diamond Dial Two-Tone Yellow Gold Steel Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Luxury Ladies Dress-Sport Watch Brand: Rolex Model: Datejust 31 Reference: 278243 Serial: 72U***** Metal: 18K Yellow Gold and Oystersteel (two-tone...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Datejust 26mm Two Tone 18K Gold Steel Fluted Bezel Jubilee Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Ladies Automatic Dress Watch Brand: Rolex Collection: Oyster Perpetual Datejust Case Size: 26mm Case Material: Stainless steel with 18K yellow gold...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6551 Two Tone 18K Gold Champagne Dial 31mm Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Vintage Ladies Automatic Wristwatch Brand: Rolex Model: Oyster Perpetual Reference Number: 6551 Movement: Automatic (Rolex Oyster Perpetual) Case M...
18k Gold
Rolex For Tiffany & Co. Oyster Perpetual 6718 24mm Steel Watch
By Rolex for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Ladies Luxury Dress Watch Brand: Rolex for Tiffany and Co Reference: 6718 Metal: Stainless Steel Case Size: 24mm Case Type: Oyster Dial: Light Gray...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Rose Gold Ladies Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Vintage Rose Gold Ladies Dress Watch - Manual winding .
Retro Rolex Ladies Rose Gold Automatic Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
This rare and collectable automatic lady’s Rolex ref. #4487 is made of 18 karat rose gold and retains its original, beautifully-styled associated bracelet. It is important to note th...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
1960's Rolex Ladies 14K White Gold & Diamond Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating on...
White Gold
Rolex 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Dress Model, circa 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT Rolex 14K ladies yellow gold bracelet dress model.
14k Gold
1938 Rolex Vintage Art Deco Ladies Dress Watch - 14K Rose Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? 1938 ROLEX Vintage Art Deco Ladies Dress Watch - 14K Rose Gold Beautiful Vintage Design - Pleasing Original Condition - 1 Year Warranty Today's offering sho...
Rose Gold
1958 Rolex Pre-Cellini Vintage Larger Ladies Dress Watch - 9K Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. ...
9k Gold
1960's Rolex Vintage Ladies Dress Bracelet Watch - 14K White Gold & Diamonds
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. ...
White Gold
1960's Rolex Ladies Dress Watch, Silver Dial - 14K White Gold & Diamonds
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers via other online sites wi...
White Gold
Ladies Rolex 18 Karat Gold Cellini Ref.4106 Manual-Wind Dress Watch, LV867YEL
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless luxury, ladies 18k white and yellow gold Rolex Cellini Geneve manual wind dress watch, c.1970s.
Sold
H 1.03 in W 0.6 in
1960's Rolex Ladies Dress Watch with Original Tag, Silver Dial - 14K White Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating on...
White Gold
Rolex 14Kt. Solid Gold Ladies Diamond Dress Watch with Box and Papers from 1982
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Ref. 8295 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1982 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 22mm X 22mm MOVEMENT: Manual Winding/ 17 Je...
Sold
H 0.87 in W 0.62 in
1971 Rolex ORCHID Pre-Cellini Vintage Ladies Watch, Ref. 2148 - 18K White Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. ...
White Gold
Vintage Rolex Cellini 3809 Manual 18K White Gold & Silver Mesh Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Product Specifications: Item Type: Vintage Ladies Dress Watch Brand: Rolex Cellini Model: Cellini Model Number: 3809 Serial Number: 3****** Year: 1972 Metal: 18K White Gold (case) Ca...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Precision 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Bezel Oval Manual Wind Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1960s Rolex Precision manual-wind ladies dress watch in 14K yellow gold featuring an oval case with a factory diamond bezel, champagne dial with applied baton indices, Rolex ...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage Rolex Ladies Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Rolex Ladies Dress Watch - Manual winding. 14K Yellow gold ( 12 x 18 mm ).
Rolex 14Kt Solid Gold Ladies Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 3570 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 16mm MOVEMENT ...
14k Gold, Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Art Deco Ladies Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 9Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 22mm "Lug Tip to Lug Tip" X Width 16m...
18k Gold
Rolex Ladies 14Kt Solid Gold & Diamond Ladies Dress Watch circa 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Model / Modernist Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold & Diamonds CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 23m...
14k Gold
Rolex Cellini 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Cellini 18k Yellow Gold Ladies Dress Watch - Manual winding. 18k yellow gold case (32mm diameter).
Rolex 14Kt Solid Gold Ladies Dress Watch circa 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress watch / Reference 82 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 18mm X Widt...
Gold
1950's Rolex Standard Ladies Dress Watch - Solid 10K Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
This charming ladies gold dress Rolex was made for the Canadian market.
10k Gold
Rolex Dress Style Ladies 14Kt Solid Gold Watch circa 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 19mm X Diameter 19mm MOVEMENT / C...
Gold
Rolex 18 Karat Solid Gold Manual Winding Ladies Dress Wristwatch, circa 1960s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Ladies Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 17mm x 15mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manu...
Rolex 18Kt Solid Gold Art Deco Ladies Dress Watch circa 1950's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 110 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 23mm MOVEMENT / CA...
18k Gold
Rolex Ladies 14Kt Solid Gold Diamond Dress Watch 1970's all Original
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bracelet Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 27mm X Width 24mm MOVEM...
14k Gold
Rolex 18Kt Ladies White Gold Dress Watch Factory Diamond Bezel circa 1973
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 2629 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1973 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 18mm X Widt...
White Gold
Ladies Rolex 18 Karat Gold Cellini 3600 Manual-Wind Dress Watch, Swiss LV976
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless luxury, ladies 18k yellow gold Rolex Cellini Geneve ref.3600 manual wind dress watch, c.1970s.
Rolex Ladies 18Kt. Solid White Gold Dress Watch with Original Bracelet 1980's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 2601 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt.
18k Gold
Rolex Cellini 18k Gold 5109 Ladies 1970s 27mm Computer Dial Dress Watch RA638
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Elegant luxury, Ladies 18k solid gold Rolex Cellini Ref.5109 Manual Wind dress watch, c.1970s, all original, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Ladies Diamond Dress Watch From 1983 with Box and Papers in New Condition
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1983 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 21mm Diameter MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber 1400 DIAL / HANDS: Gold Dial With Gold Baton Markers / Gold Ba...
14k Gold
Rolex Lady's Yellow Gold Bracelet Dress Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Ladies Rolex bracelet dress watch with a factory diamond bezel.
14k Gold
Art-Deco 9K Rose Gold Rolex Tonneau Case Manual 15 Rubis Ladies' Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This Fine Rolex ladies' dress watch is from Art-Deco period, yet it's in beautiful vintage condition & in excellent working order.
Rose Gold
Rolex Ladies Yellow Gold Precision Dress Model manual wind wristwatch, c 1950s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A scarce and simple design vintage lady’s Rolex 18K YG dress model circa 1950’s. Featuring a 20mm heavy snap back case with pronounced and angled lugs and featuring a beautiful matt...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Ladies Yellow Gold Manual Wind Dress Wristwatch 1950s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage Rolex manual wind dress model ref# 4307 14K YG circa 1950’s,, Featuring 28 x 36 square case with extended horn lugs, dome glass crystal, and professionally restored matte sil...
Rolex Ladies Yellow Gold Precision Dress Model manual wristwatch, circa 1952
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A scarce and striking design vintage lady’s Rolex 18K YG dress model circa 1952. Featuring a 22mm heavy snap back case with pronounced and sloped lugs and featuring a beautifully re...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid Gold Dress Watch circa 1980's with Original Bracelet
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 4217-10 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 23mm X Widt...
Gold
4.96 Carat Green Beryl Square Radiant Cut Platinum Engagement Ring by Merkaba
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A refined platinum diamond engagement ring by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills, centered by a natural green beryl weighing 4.96 carats in a square radiant cut. The vivid green hue is pa...
Beryl, Green Beryl, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
Cartier 18K Yellow Gold 1970's Fire Opal Bezel Set Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Step back in time with this exquisite vintage Cartier pendant, a true gem from the 1970s. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, this pendant features a captivating fire opal, bezel set to perf...
Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Platinum Diamond Omega Ladies Wrist Watch Vintage Art Deco
Located in Greer, SC
" Lady's dress watch by Omega measures 6.5 inches long. It weighs 13.3 pennyweights. It has a rectangular platinum case measuring 13.62 by 13.21 mm with bead set round diamond lugs. ...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage Rolex Oyster Octagonal 1920's Extra Prima 1096 Case RARE
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 1096 Serial: 260*** Year: 1925 Model: Rolex Oyster Vintage Octagonal Band: Custom Leather Band Dial: White / Off White Case Size: ~32mm In...
$26,500
H 1.42 in W 1.23 in
Vintage Patek Philippe Grand Ellipse 18K Gold Quartz 31mm Unisex 1980 Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Authentic Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Grand Ellipse 3838 Unisex 18K Yellow Gold Watch. Vintage, circa 1980. Featuring a 31mm dial with a smooth gold bezel, cream-white ivory enamel dial...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Ladies Platinum and Diamond Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Ladies Wrist Watch, 26 X 9 M.M. 2 Piece Platinum Case set with European cut Diamonds totaling 1 Carat, the case sides and back are fu...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Platinum Watch 2.40 TCW VS2 G/H Antique 17.5g Manual 6/5"
Located in Puyallup, WA
Introducing a work of art and a testament to exquisite craftsmanship, this Platinum Art Deco Watch. Adorned with exquisite natural diamonds, this timepiece stands as a statement of s...
Diamond, Platinum
Celine Paris Gold Watch New in box Circle Face Wrist watch
By Celine
Located in Wallkill, NY
Lovey Gold tone Celine Wrist Watch. In original box 1 inch diameter Face .50 in. wide band. In box, never worn. This is out of a massive collection of Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, Southwest...
Base Metal
Baume & Mercier Ladies Yellow Gold Manual Wristwatch
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Darnestown, MD
Baume & Mercier ladies gold watch with Roman numerals. The oval face is painted to simulate green agate. It measures 13/16" x 15/16". The stem is sapphire. The watch has a mechanica...
18k Gold
Omega 1940s Retro Rose Gold and Rubies Bracelet Watch
By Omega
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Omega Ladies Bracelet Watch, 22 x 14 M.M. 14k Rose Gold Signed Omega 2 piece case, the case top is set with Fine color Rubies and Round Brilliant cut Diamonds. 17 Jewel M...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Genuine Rolex Watch. Ladies ROLEX 2649 Precision Cocktail Watch.
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Stainless Steel Rolex Precision Ladies mechanical Movement Wristwatch. Circa 1970s. 1400 Caliber Rolex Movement Ref. 2649. Beautiful Watch. Manual Windup mechanism. Leather Band...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
$104,579
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
Tiffany & Co. Ladies Art Deco Watch circa 1920's
By Shreve & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tiffany & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum & Diamonds CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 16mm MOVEME...
Platinum
Rolex Chameleon Precision 8789 Pyramid Hobnail 18k Yellow Gold 1970s
By Rolex
Located in SYDNEY, AU
Rolex Chameleon Precision 8789 Pyramid Hobnail 18k Yellow Gold 1970s SKU: 1776 A masterclass in vintage elegance, the Rolex Chameleon Precision Ref. 8789 from the 1970s showcases t...
Chanel Shiny Alligator Jumbo Double Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Rare Item - Chanel Shiny Alligator Jumbo Double Flap Bag Shiny black iconic handbag crafted in Alligator skin and gold hardware. Double front flap and signature 'CC' turn-lock clos...
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.