Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare Factory Original "Deep Sea" Dial 1956
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
model we have seen. It doesn't get any more rare and vintage than this Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare Factory Original "Deep Sea" Dial 1956
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
model we have seen. It doesn't get any more rare and vintage than this Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare Factory Original "Deep Sea" Dial 1956
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
examples of the Deep Sea model we have seen. It doesn't get any more rare and vintage than this Rolex
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Speed King with Rare Original Waffle Dial from 1954
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This unique mid size Rolex is fitted with its original and rare
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Original Black Dial and Gilt Markers
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Caliber 1500's DIAL / HANDS: Original Black Rare Gilt
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Bracelet and Rare Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1500
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Rare Black Dial circa, 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Rolex is in exceptional condition. We seldom see this watch with a flawless original dial like this one
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust With Rare Factory Original Silver Dial 1980's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 16000
White Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Precision with Rare 3-6-9 Black Dial, Ref. # 6427
By Rolex
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Rolex Oyster Precision with Rare 3-6-9 Ref. # 6427 Similar to the Rolex Ref. #1016 Manual
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Oyster Perpetual Date With Rare Factory Original Black Dial 2002
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 2120
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Rare Black Dial circa, 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
iconic house of Rolex is in exceptional condition. We seldom see this watch with a flawless original dial
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Mid Size Oysterdate with Original Bracelet Rare Charcoal Dial 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
with its original charcoal dial and Original Oyster Bracelet. It is rare to find this watch with this
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Factory Original Charcoal Dial 1970
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1500
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare White Dial circa, 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1500
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare Factory Original "Deep Sea" Dial 1956
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
model we have seen. It doesn't get any more rare and vintage than this Rolex Oyster Perpetual reference
Rolex Stainless Steel Rare Datejust Reference 6605 with Original Dial from 1957
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare model by Rolex, the reference 6605 has a unique bezel
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Original Charcoal Dial, 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1500 METAL
Rolex Two Tone Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Original Rare Black Dial 1987
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1600
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
RARE Vintage Rolex Datejust 16220 100 CLUB OF HOUSTON Dial 36mm Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Rare Rolex 100 CLUB - This watch came from Rolex with the logo of the 100 CLUB on it- a
Vintage Rolex DateJust Model 69178 18 Karat Yellow Gold Rare Chevrolet Dial Box
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Rolex Model 69178 DateJust 18k Yellow Gold, 26mm Rare Chevrolet Dial made for Jubilee
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Precision 34mm Two-Tone Rose Gold Steel Rare Dial 1978 Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
dial features a rare brown and cream white pattern, complemented by a seldom seen mix of arabic and
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Datejust with Rare Black Dial from 1960's Custom Diamond Bezel
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Caliber 1570 DIAL / HANDS: Factory Original Rare Black Dial with Baton
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
Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust with Rare Original Black Dial from Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Caliber 1570 DIAL / HANDS: Original Rare Black Dial with Baton Markers
Rolex 69174 Datejust Stainless Steel "Rolex" Pyramid Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Rolex 69174 Datejust Stainless Steel "Rolex" Pyramid Dial Watch This stunning Rolex 69174 Datejust
Gold, 18k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel, White Gold
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Flawless Black Dial circa, 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
house of Rolex. We seldom get this model with the matte black dial and this one is in flawless original
Stainless Steel
$17,600
H 1.42 in W 0.44 in Dm 1.42 in
Rare Rolex Datejust 36 18k Gold Green Floral Dial Steel Unisex Watch 116233
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Comes with the original box and papers. General Information Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex
Yellow Gold, Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Original Black Dial and Gilt Markers
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 26 Jewels / Caliber 1500's DIAL / HANDS: Original Black Rare Gilt
$12,650
H 1.03 in W 0.4 in Dm 1.03 in
Rare Rolex Datejust 26mm 18K White Gold Steel Pink Dial Ladies Watch 179174
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition, Rare Factory Pink Dial. It comes with an original box but no
Steel
Rolex Datejust 26mm 179173 Two Tone Ladies Watch Rare Myriad Pearl Dial Jubilee
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
complemented by a yellow gold fluted bezel and features Roman numerals on the rare mother of pearl dial. The
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Flawless Black Dial circa, 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
and elegant watch by the iconic house of Rolex. We seldom get this model with the matte black dial and
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Rare Original Black Dial Mid 1980's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
experienced. This rare black dial is exquisite and shows how elegant a watch can be. From the renown house of
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel O.P Date with Factory Original Rare Charcoal Dial 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Perpetual Date model with rare charcoal dial and an unusual machined index bezel. It has an original oyster
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare, Original Shaded Sunburst Red Dial 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
classic vintage Rolex has an extraordinary original Sunburst Shaded Red Dial. We have never seen this
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Air King with Rare Original Satin Grained Silver Dial, 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Dial. Rolex's reliability, you have piece of mind this timepiece will get you from point A to B on time
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
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel and Rose Gold "Bubble Back" with Rare Original Dial from 1942
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
rare machined rose gold bezel as well as a rare dial design. This watch has been in a vault for many
Rolex Steel Datejust with Rare Polished Bezel Custom Green Dial from 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
classic Rolex Datejust is fitted with the original factory dial with custom Hunter green dial finish and
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Black Dial and Engine Turned Bezel
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1501
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare White Dial, circa 1980's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
fitted with a rare white enamel dial and Roman numerals. The watch has just been serviced by us and comes
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Datejust with Rare "Pie Pan" Factory Original Dial circa, 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1601
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Datejust with Rare Original White Dial and Original Bracelet Late 60
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This late 1960's Datejust has a rare and unusual white dial, not to be
Steel
$26,574
H 1.54 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.54 in
Rare Rolex Cellini Time 18k Rose Gold Black Diamond Dial Men Watch 50605RBR
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
. General Information Brand: Rolex Model: Cellini Time Model Number: 50605RBR Type: Wristwatch Department
Rose Gold
Rolex Steel Air King with Custom Dial Rare Jubilee Bracelet, Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Mother of Pearl dial, made to Rolex of Switzerland specifications. All the other mechanical parts on this
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Rare Early Air King with Original Patinated Dial Early 60s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date With Rare Engine Turned Bezel and Black Dial 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1501
Stainless Steel
Rolex Rare Day-Date Vintage Men's 18K Yellow Gold Omani Dial Bark Finish 1807
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A very rare 18k yellow gold Day-Date men's wristwatch by Rolex, produced for the Sultan of Oman
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Slate Blue Dial from Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Rolex, fitted with its original and beautiful slate blue dial. We have just serviced this striking
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Rare Slate Blue Dial from Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Rolex, fitted with its original and beautiful slate blue dial. We have just serviced this striking
Rolex Stainless Steel with T. Blue Dial Rare Machined Bezel from Mid 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
dial made by our specialty custom dial house, made to "Rolex of Switzerland" rigorous specifications
Rolex Steel Datejust with Rare Original White Dial and Hand Made Strap Late 1960
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
COMMITMENT This late 1960's Datejust has a rare and unusual white dial, not be confused the typical silvered
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
Rolex Zenith Movement Daytona Stainless Steel & Gold Rare Mark I Dial B&P 16523
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Men's Wristwatch, rare Mark I floating champagne dial with applied hour markers, 30 minute recorder at 3
Gold, 18k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Very Rare Day-Date 18 Karat Yellow Gold Silver Omani Dial Bark Finish
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Very Rare 36 mm 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Vintage Gents Wristwatch, silver dial
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Rolex Very Rare Day-Date Vintage Gents 18k Yellow Gold Champagne Omani Dial 1803
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 36 mm Very Rare 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Vintage Gents Wristwatch, champagne
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Rolex Double Red Sea Dweller 1665 RARE MK 3 Dial with PATINA 40mm Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: Black Dial: Rare Mark 3
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex 18K Yellow Gold Rare Nipple Dial Omani Crest Submariner Date B&P 1680
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rare 18k Yellow Gold Omani Crest Submariner Date Vintage Men's Wristwatch, original matte black
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Steel Date Model with Rare Black Dial circa, 1960's with Custom Made Bezel
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1500
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.