1962 Rolex Explorer Ref. 5501 Vintage Mens Watch - Stainless Steel & 14K Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
Hands: Original, gold, luminous "alphas" Movement type: Rolex cal. 1530, self-winding, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorbe...
14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Tudor Prince Oysterdate, ref 9121/1. 38mm Stainless Steel. Red Dial, Year c1974
By Tudor
Located in Canterbury, England
Tudor reference 9121 is clearly styled as a precursor to the later Turn-o-graph, Oysterquartz and 1530 Rolex and later referenced with the Black Bay Heritage.
Rolex Stainless Steel Explorer Automatic Chronometer Wristwatch Ref 5504
By Rolex
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Model Explorer Ref. 5504 Case screwed case, steel, acrylic glass, screw-down crown, 36mm Movement caliber Rolex 1530, automatic, chronometer Dial original Tritium.dial a...
Rolex Stainless Steel Submariner Automatic Wristwatch Ref 5512
By Rolex
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Submariner Ref. 5512 CASE screwed case, steel, acrylic glass, rotating bezel, 40mm MOVEMENT caliber Rolex 1530, automatic DIAL original Tritium.dial and hands, Rare marr...
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Oyster Perpetual wristwatch Ref 1530, circa 1976
By Rolex
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
This timepiece has recently been serviced at Rolex and is a rare collectible timepiece.
Stainless Steel
Very Rare Rolex Ref. 1530 , Color Change Dial
By Rolex
Located in Munich, DE
One of the rarest watches made by Rolex. Chronometer self-winding inside the case Rolex later used for the 17000 quartz. Around 1000 have been made. the crown is smaller, than later...
1962 Rolex Explorer Ref. 5501 Vintage Mens Watch - Stainless Steel & 14K Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
Hands: Original, gold, luminous "alphas" Movement type: Rolex cal. 1530, self-winding, rhodium-plated, 25 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorbe...
14k Gold, Stainless Steel
1963 Rolex Explorer Ref 5500-1002, Cal 1530 Automatic S/Steel Mens' Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Instead of 'Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified' the dials would spell out 'Super Precision' or 'Precision' below the hands. ~~~ The timepiece is fitted with an Automatic...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref 1002 All Original Mens 34mm 1960s Automatic RA716S
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stainless steel smooth bezel on stainless steel case measuring 34mm, case in excellent, vintage condition. Original Rolex crown. 25-jeweled Rolex cal.1530 automatic movement, cleaned...
Stainless Steel
Mens Rolex Oyster Precision Ref 5500 Air King Automatic 1960s Swiss RA340
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Smooth bezel on stainless steel case measures 34mm wide, in excellent vintage condition. 26-jeweled Rolex cal.1530 automatic movement, cleaned and serviced, in excellent running cond...
Mens Rolex Ref 5501 Air King 14k Gold SS Automatic 1960s Vintage RA240B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Acylic crystal. 14k gold fluted bezel on stainless steel case measures 34mm wide, in excellent condition. 17-jeweled Rolex cal.1530 automatic movement, cleaned and serviced, in excel...
14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1530 Retailed by Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This is rare automatic Rolex reference 1530 from the 1970s retailed by Tiffany and Co.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Submariner Automatic Wristwatch Ref. 5512
By Rolex
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Submariner Ref. 5512 Case screwed case, steel, acrylic glass, rotating bezel, 40mm Movement caliber Rolex 1530, automatic Dial original Tritium.dial and hands, Rare marr...
Rolex Stainless Steel Submariner Automatic Wristwatch Ref. 5508
By Rolex
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Submariner Ref. 5508 Very rare Submariner "James Bond" Case-Screwed case, steel, acrylic glass, rotating bezel, screw-down crown, without crown guards, d=37mm Movement-Calibe...
Rolex Date 36mm 1530
By Rolex
Located in Surfside, FL
This extremely rare Rolex Date, model number 1530, is crafted in stainless steel and features a unique silver dial that has developed a tropical, or champagne hue, due to sun exposure.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perptual Date ref 1530 circa 1970
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex SS Oyster Perptual Date ref 1530 circa 1960 scarce transitional model with Oyster Quartz case and integral bracelet, but with automatic movement with date.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Date Wristwatch Ref 1530 circa 1975
By Rolex
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Rolex Date Ref. 1530 First case with sapphire crystal Case Stainless steel, screw back, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, 36mm Movement Automatic, caliber 1570, date ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex SS Explorer ref 5500 "Super Precision" circa 1962
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Featuring mercedes hands and classic Explorer dial with numbers 3/6/9 and other hour indexes with luminous bars. Rolex calibre 1530 chronometer rated self winding movement with sweep...
Stainless Steel
Longines Grand Prize Vintage Gold Filled Mesh Watch Box & Papers
By Longines
Located in Baltimore, MD
Longines Grand Prize Vintage Gold Filled Mesh Watch Box & Papers Metal: 10K gold filled Case: 33mm Dial: Gold Bracelet: 10K G.F. Mesh adjustable Lug width: 17mm Crystal: Acryli...
Gold-filled
rare CONCORD Limited Edition Guan Yu 18k white gold diamond ruby watch
By Concord Watch
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare CONCORD Limited Edition Guan Yu 18k white gold diamond ruby watch Reference: CAWG/A00313 Brand: Concord Model: Limited Edition Guan Yu 18K White Gold Diamond Ruby Watch Material...
Hermès 1960s Sac Kelly 32 Bandouliere Black Box Leather Hand Bag strap Hermes
By Hermès
Located in PARIS, FR
Hermès Kelly bag, size 32, in black box leather and gold-tone hardware. The interior is lined in black leather with two slip pockets and one large slip pocket (not zippered). It incl...
$11,920Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.42 in
Rolex Oyster Ref 6605 Datejust 18k Gold 36mm Mens 1960s Date Automatic RA701
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless treasure, rare 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref.6605 Datejust automatic, c.1960, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 3322 Ladies Yellow Gold Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Patek Philippe Reference 3322 Wrist Watch. 16 x 20 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case with hand Texturing, 20 Jewel Mechanical, manual wind Nickle lever movement, Patek Ph...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Longines Présence Heritage 34MM l4.767.8 White Dial 18K Yellow Gold Watch
By Longines
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Longines Gender: Men's Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold Length: 8.75 mm Diameter: 34.00 mm Weight: 43.64 grams Men's 18K yellow gold, LONGINES Swiss made wristwatch. The meta...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust With Rare Blue Vignette Dial circa 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm "Lug Tip to Lu...
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 / MATERIAL: Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1954 / 55 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Diamet...
Gold
1999 26mm Rolex Presidential 18K Gold with Champagne Dial and Fluted Bezel.
By Rolex
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
SN# U80**** Year: 1999. Brand: Rolex. Crystal: Sapphire. Gender: Women's. Bezel: Fluted Bezel. Dial Color: Champagne. Case Dimensions: 26mm. Condition: Mint Condition. Metal Type: 1...
18k Gold
Small Vintage Women's Watch Signed Kody
Located in Vannes, FR
This vintage ladies' watch in 18-carat yellow gold by Kody is a true collector's item dating back to the 1960s. Equipped with a Swiss movement, it combines precision and timeless ele...
18k Gold
Harry Winston Platinum Diamond Cocktail Watch with Audemars Piguet Movement
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Harry Winston Platinum Diamond Cocktail Watch with Audemars Piguet Movement Description: An exceptional vintage diamond cocktail watch by Harry Winston, featuring refined Art Deco s...
Diamond, Platinum
1999 Cartier Tank Basculante 2386 Stainless Steel White Roman Dial Quartz 22 mm
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A More Elegant Reversible Tank The Tank Basculante, first released in 1932, is Cartier's clever and arguably more refined take on the reversible watch. While the Jaeger-LeCoultre Re...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega “Bumper” Automatic Wristwatch, 18ct Yellow Gold Case
By Omega
Located in London, GB
A classic vintage Omega “bumper” automatic wristwatch, featuring Omega’s early automatic movement with its distinctive bumper winding system. The watch is housed in an elegant gold ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,745
H 1.58 in W 1.38 in
1960's Longines Vintage Ultra Chron High-Beat Mens Watch with Papers & Tag - SS
By Longines
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
Sold|$2,245
W 1.38 in L 1.58 in
1967 Omega Seamaster 600 Vintage Mens Handwound Emerald Green Dial Watch - SS
By Omega
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust Roman Ivory Dial Two-Tone Automatic Men's Watch Ref 16233
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref. 16233, crafted in timeless two-tone stainless steel and 18k yellow gold. This automatic men’s watch features a warm champagne dial acce...
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.