Vintage 1954 Rolex Oyster Speedking Ref. 6430 – Manual Wind
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
minimalist aesthetic. Powered by the manual wind Rolex Cal. 1215 17-jewel movement, this Speedking represents
Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1954 Rolex Oyster Speedking Ref. 6430 – Manual Wind
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
minimalist aesthetic. Powered by the manual wind Rolex Cal. 1215 17-jewel movement, this Speedking represents
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1966 Rolex Oyster Speedking Ref. 6430 – Manual Wind
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
for a minimalist and elegant look. Powered by the manual wind Rolex Cal. 1225 17-jewel movement, this
Stainless Steel
Rolex Precision Steel Wristwatch, c1945
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
, teardrop, overlaid fancy lugs. Rolex, 17-Rubies (Jewels) precision lever escapement movement with
Steel
Rolex SpeedKing 6430 Women's Watch in Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
of actual watch. Rolex Calibre 1225, 17 Jewels, Movement Number 6453 Due to the age of the watch we
Stainless Steel
Genuine Rolex Watch. 14k WG Ladies Rolex Mechanical Windup Watch.
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
14k White Gold Rolex Brushed Bezel Ladies mechanical Movement Wristwatch. Rolex Movement 17 Jewel
14k Gold, White Gold
Genuine Rolex Watch. 14k WG Ladies Rolex Mechanical Windup Watch.
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
14k White Gold Rolex Brushed Bezel Ladies mechanical Movement Wristwatch. Rolex Movement 17 Jewel
14k Gold, White Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Mesh Dress Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Rolex solid 14k gold dress watch circa 1960 with manual wind 17 jewel Rolex movement and mesh watch
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Rolex Cocktail Watch 14K Yellow Gold Manual Wind
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
powered by a Rolex caliber 1401 17 jewel manual wind movement. The movement is serviced and the watch will
Yellow Gold
Rolex Precision 10K White Gold Retro c1950's Manual Cocktail Ladies Wristwatch.
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Rolex Movement 17 jewels, signed Rolex Geneve Instantly recognizable, it's a classy accessory of any
White Gold, 10k Gold
Rolex Prince Drs. Duo Dial 1930s Wristwatch Gold Filled and Steel Case
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
and stepped case with Stainless Steel Back. Rolex 17 Jewel Prince, Extra Prima Movement. Silvered Dial
Gold-filled, Steel
Rolex Lady's White Gold and Diamond Bracelet Watch Ref 6252 circa 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
case: 14k Movement: Rolex 17 jewel adj 2 positions Montres 1041 Swiss Inside case: Rolex 6252
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage Panerai Marina Militare made by Rolex circa 1950s
Located in Miami Beach, FL
and the case and 17 jewel movement are sigined by Rolex. It is a reference 6152-1. The non-locking
Rolex SS Vintage Square Dress Model c.1950s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
. Antique white dial with rasied arabic indexes and Rolex logo. 17 jewel manual wind movement with
Stainless Steel
Rolex Precision 14 Karat Pink Gold Manual Wind Ref 4010, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
salmon dial with mirror rose Roman indexes and simple baton hands. Powered by Rolex 17 jewel manual wind
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Dress Wristwatch
Located in West Hollywood, CA
caliber 1210 17 jewel manual wind movement with sweep seconds. Offered on your choice of fine leather or
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex SS Prince Brancard Flared Case Model ref# 1490 c.1930's
Located in West Hollywood, CA
silver satin dial with black figures and blued steel spade hands. Rolex calibre 300 17 jewel chronometer
Stainless Steel
Rolex Precision Gold Wristwatch c1940
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
, teardrop, fancy lugs and overlaid bezel. Rolex, 17-Rubies (Jewels) precision lever escapement movement
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Precision Steel Wristwatch, c1945
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
, teardrop, overlaid fancy lugs. Rolex, 17-Rubies (Jewels) precision lever escapement movement with
Steel
Rolex Precision Gold Wristwatch, circa 1959
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
lugs. Rolex, 17-Rubies (Jewels) precision lever escapement movement with Superbalance. Subsidiary
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Precision Wristwatch, circa 1958
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
lugs. Rolex, 17-Rubies (Jewels) precision lever escapement movement with Superbalance. Sweep centre
18k Gold, Yellow 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.
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.