18k Rolex Cufflinks. 18k YG Green Cerachrom Fluted Bezel Round Cuffs.
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Rare Genuine Rolex Cufflinks. Green Cerachrom (Green Ceramic) Embedded Rolex Logo. 18k Yellow Gold.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Marconi Steel Extra Prima Art Deco Watch with Two Silvered Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Today, surviving Rolex Marconi Extra Prima pieces are revered by collectors as rare artifacts from Rolex's foundational era.
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 Steel Silver Dial Manual 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This 6694 represents an early iteration of the model, combining the robust Oyster case with a movement that requires daily interaction, a rare blend in the later Rolex catalog. A Pu...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Oyster Perpetual 18K Yellow Gold 34mm 6564 Circa 1956
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual reference 6564, an exceptional yellow gold timepiece featuring a rare hobnail-patterned dial with applied gold faceted baton indices and a raise...
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970 Rolex Cellini 4089 18K YG Textured Breguet Dial Manual 23mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The use of a Breguet numeral dial is exceptionally rare for any Rolex, let alone a Cellini. It introduces a touch of classical, almost old-world watchmaking to a design that is disti...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1975 Rolex Datejust 1601 Stainless Steel & Rose Gold Champagne Dial 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Rare Metal In The Rolex Catalog While the Datejust is a foundational piece, this 1601 stands apart due to its use of rose gold.
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex 49MM 9K Gold London Camerer Cuss & Co. Mechanical Pocket Watch
By Rolex
Located in Houston, TX
This timepiece is an authentic, rare 1920s Rolex open-face pocket watch dual-signed and retailed by the prestigious London firm Camerer Cuss & Co.
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Cellini, 5241/6 , the "Cellinium", manual, platinum, ice blue dial, c2001
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our very rare and desirable Rolex Cellini, reference 5241/6 , the "Cellinium" , with manual winding movement, features a 38mm platinum case with ice blue dial, and sub seconds dial m...
Platinum
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex 6564 Oyster Perpetual 1950s Mens 34mm Gold-Capped Vintage Automatic RA789B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic vintage charm, rare Men's Rolex 6564 Oyster Perpetual gold-capped automatic dress watch, c.1956, in excellent working condition.
Gold, Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
1960's Rolex Ladies Vintage Cocktail Watch - 18K 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
$7,280Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex 3372 Chronometre Rose Gold SS Men 1940s 32mm Automatic Bubbleback RA750B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare and historic Rolex Perpetual Ref.3372 with solid rose gold bezel, c.1947, unrestored dial, in excellent working condition.
Gold, Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Ref 6605 Datejust Mens 1950s 36mm Roulette Wheel Automatic RA625C
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare luxury classic, 18k rose gold and stainless steel Rolex ref.6605 Oyster Perpetual Datejust automatic with roulette red and black date wheel, c.1958, in excellent working, origin...
$7,040Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Ref 6580 Mens 34mm 1950s 14k Gold SS Vintage Automatic RA786
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare vintage classic, Men's Rolex Oyster ref.6580 automatic dress watch, c.1954, all original, in excellent working condition.
Stainless Steel, 14k Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 6580 14k Gold SS 1950s Mens Vintage Automatic RA786B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare timeless classic, Men's Rolex Oyster ref.6580 automatic dress watch, c.1954, in excellent working condition.
14k Gold, 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 Vintage Explorer II Steve McQueen Albino Mark II Dial 1655
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare Steve Mcqueen Rolex Explorer II labelled the albino.
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1986 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 15037 14K YG Purple Diamond Auto 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The combination of a full 14K yellow gold case with a factory purple diamond dial is a genuinely rare configuration. While Rolex produced a variety of dial colors, purple remains one...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Rolex Day Date 36MM 18038 Walnut Birch Wood Dial Bark 18K Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Houston, TX
Rare 1980 Rolex Day Date Walnut Wood Dial. Pre-owned in very good condition.
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,904Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex 5015 Oyster Perpetual 14k SS Mens 1940s 32mm Bubble Back Automatic RA690B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare, timeless classic Rolex 14k gold and stainless steel Oyster Perpetual 5015 Bubble Back Automatic, c.1940s, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Precision 9k Gold Mens 1950s 32mm Vintage Manual Wind Dress Watch RA751
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage treasure, rare 9k solid gold Rolex Oyster Precision manual wind dress watch, c.1954, in excellent working condition.
9k Gold
Rolex Steel and 14Kt. Oyster Perpetual Date with Original Bracelet. circa 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
The bracelet has the rare and sought after "Big Rolex" logo on it as well.
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 5015 14k SS Mens 1940s 32mm Bubble Back Automatic RA690
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare, timeless classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref 5015 Bubble Back Automatic with 14k solid gold bezel, c.1940s, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Two Tone Rose Gold and Stainless Steel Dress Watch, circa 1930's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Reference 3893 METAL / MATERIAL: Two Tone 14Kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm "Lu...
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
$7,360Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Precision 14k Solid Gold Mens Manual Wind Dress Watch 1950s Vintage RA709
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage treasure, rare 14k solid gold Rolex Oyster Precision manual wind dress watch, c.1958, in excellent working condition.
14k Gold
$7,112Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Ref 6605 Datejust Mens 1950s 36mm Automatic w Roulette Wheel RA625
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare timeless classic, 18k rose gold and stainless steel Rolex ref.6605 Oyster Perpetual Datejust automatic with roulette red and black date wheel, c.1958, in excellent working, orig...
$5,588Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rolex Swiss President Curved Links Cufflinks In 18Kt Gold With 4 Black Onyxes
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of cufflinks designed by Rolex. A very rare and unusual pair of cufflinks, created in Geneva Switzerland by the Rolex company.
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Perpetual with Custom Made Mother of Pearl Dial 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster perpetual / Reference 1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm x Diam...
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
Seiko Credor Node Near Mint Watch Rolex Alternative 2004 Rare
Located in Northampton, MA
Seiko Credor Node (Ref. 4S76-00A0) It's not a Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet or Omega. It's something for the watch enthusiast in search of something a little oblique: a nea...
Stainless Steel
$8,208Sale Price|24% Off
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34mm Tiffany & Co Blue Dial Stainless Steel Watch Rare
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
An exceptionally collectible Rolex Oyster Perpetual featuring the highly coveted Tiffany & Co. co-signed dial, this refined 34 mm timepiece represents the perfect union of two of...
Tudor by Rolex Two Tone Prince Oysterdate Rare Charcoal Original Dial 1960's
By Tudor
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tudor Watch Company by Rolex STYLE / REFERENCE: Prince Oysterdate Automatic METAL / MATERIAL: 2 Tone Steel & Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Len...
Vintage 1965 Rolex Datejust 6517 18K Yellow Gold Automatic Buckley Dial
Located in New York, NY
This is peak mid century Rolex with impossibly rare specificaiton What makes this Datejust special is not size or era.
Yellow Gold
Vintage IWC Ingenieur Automatic Date Watch, Stainless Steel, 1960s
By IWC
Located in Zurich, CH
Fitted on a classic black leather strap, this rare reference stands alongside the Rolex Milgauss and Patek Amagnetic as an essential centerpiece for discerning vintage collectors.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel O.P Date with Rare Vignette Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1969 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm "Lu...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Datejust with Rare Original Charcoal Dial from, 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43...
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.
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.