Eterna Matic Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch with Original Dial 1940's or 50's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940 / 50's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Diameter 33mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER
Eterna Matic Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch with Original Dial 1940's or 50's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940 / 50's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Diameter 33mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER
Rolex Vintage Spoon from Bucherer of Switzerland Souvenir Geneve Silver Plate
By Bucherer
Located in Dearborn, MI
Rolex Vintage Spoon from Bucherer of Switzerland Souvenir Geneve Silver Plate Genuine Vintage
Silver Plate
Unavailable|$11,871 / set
Rolex Oversize Salmon Dial
By Rolex
Located in Milan, IT
indexes, centered seconds and feuille black hands. Movement: Manual winding Year: 1940 ca The
Stainless Steel
Unavailable|$9,497
Rolex Decò Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in Milan, IT
centered seconds and yellow gold dauphine hands. Movement: Manual winding Year: 1940 ca The watch
Stainless Steel
Rolex Rose Gold Chronograph Wristwatch Ref 3484
By Rolex
Located in Milano, IT
Unusual and very rare 18 Kt. pink gold circular case,a square shape button chronograph snap on back in very good conditions wristwatch. Produced for the '40 in a few examples with b...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$29,678
Rolex Rose Gold Chronograph Piccolino Wristwatch Ref 3055
By Rolex
Located in Milano, IT
Unusual and very rarely produced, in a few samples. Rolex chronograph 18 KT rose gold with the
Rose Gold
Unavailable|$10,620
Rolex Bubble Back 31mm 2940
By Rolex
Located in Surfside, FL
This Rolex Stainless Steel Bubbleback, circa 1944, is a remarkable vintage piece, complete with its
Stainless Steel
Unavailable|$17,635
Rolex Precision Steel Wristwatch, c1945
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
Vintage Rolex Precision wristwatch dated Circa 1945. Snap back Stainless Steel case with tapered
Steel
Unavailable|$46,298
Rolex Yellow Gold White Dial Chronograph Wristwatch Ref 2508
By Rolex
Located in Milano, IT
Unusual and stunning conditions 18 KT. yellow gold chronograph wristwatch. Produced in the '40 in a few examples with a beautiful white dial with applied gold indexes and battons ha...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$42,000
ROLEX Retro Diamond Bracelet Watch
By Rolex
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
inches in circumference. Stamped "Rolex, Swiss Made" circa 1940's
Diamond
Unavailable|$4,750
Rolex Oysterdate 6494, Case, Certified and Warranty
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oysterdate Reference #:6494. Rolex Oysterdate Vintage Unpolished 6494 Men Hand Wind Watch
Rolex Yellow Gold Triple-Calendar Chronograph Dato-Compax Wristwatch Ref 6036
By Rolex
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Rolex Reference: 6036 Model: "Jean Claude Killy" Triple-Calendar Chronograph Dato-Compax
18k Gold
Unavailable|$4,250
Vintage Rolex Bubbleback Stainless Steel Watch, 1945
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1945 Vintage Rolex Bubbleback Ref. 2940 Stainless Steel watch with Original Silver Dial with
Unavailable|$13,058
Rolex Wrist Watch "Moneta" Ref. 3540 Stainless Steel Case Two Tones Dial
By Rolex
Located in Milan, IT
This Rolex "moneta" is extremely rare and in excellent NOS conditions. A stainless steel 35 mm case
Stainless Steel, Steel
Unavailable|$7,200
Rolex Perpetual Datejust 36 Custom Red Vignette
By Rolex
Located in Bradford, Ontario
Rolex Datejust is quietly classy in yet stands heads above rather more sedate peers Datejusts. Like
Yellow Gold, Steel
Rolex Wrist Watch Perpetual Super Precision Ref. 4645 Rose Gold with Bracelet
By Rolex
Located in Milan, IT
applied indexes, little seconds at 6 'o clock Movement: self winding "Super Precision" Year: 1940 circa
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Unavailable|$3,849
Rolex OysterDate 6094 Very Rare Dagger Dial Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex OysterDate 6094 Very Rare Dagger Dial Men's Watch 34mm stainless steel case with smooth
Vintage Rolex Chronometer Rectangular-Shaped 14 Karat Yellow Gold Watch, 1945
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1945 Vintage Rolex Rare Ref. 4469 Rectangle 14k Yellow Gold watch with Silver Dial with Recessed
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 2940 Bubble Back Vintage Patina Automatic Watch SS
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 2940 Bubble Back Vintage Patina Automatic Watch SS 32mm
Unavailable|$30,500
Rolex Explorer 6610 Oyster Perpetual Vintage Tropical Brown Dial Mens Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Explorer 6610 Oyster Perpetual Vintage Tropical Brown Dial Mens Watch 36MM
Stainless Steel
1947 Vintage Rolex Speedking Stainless Steel with Rare Pink Gold Arabic Dial!
By Rolex
Located in Warrington, PA
In the 1930's, Rolex and Sir Malcolm Campbell (a record breaking racecar driver), became united for
Stainless Steel
Unavailable|$4,500
Gallet 3 Registers Chronograph Valjoux 71, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A very pleasing original dial vintage Gallet 3 registers manual wind chronograph circa 1940’s
Stainless Steel
Unavailable|$16,303
Rolex Precision Gold Wristwatch c1947
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
Vintage Rolex Precision wristwatch with rare “Thunderbird” bezel dated Circa 1947. Snap back 18ct
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex 1940's Stainless-Steel Pink Markers & Special Lugs
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Rolex 1940's Stainless-Steel Pink Markers & Special Lugs
Stainless Steel
ROLEX 1940's Rose Gold Dress Watch
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
ROLEX 1940's Rose Gold Dress Watch
18k Gold
ROLEX 1940's 18K Rose Gold/Stainless Steel Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
ROLEX 1940's One Inch Square 18K Rose Gold/Stainless Steel Wristwatch. Beautiful silver dial
18k Gold
ROLEX 1940's Unique Stylized Lugs Yellow Gold Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A 1940's yellow gold wristwatch especially desirable for its stylized lugs. Kept in excellent
18k Gold
Rolex Oversized "Cushion" Shape 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Rolex Stainless Steel Oversized Cushion Shape with Arabic Numeral Dial. ref #4547
Stainless Steel
Rare Rose Gold 1940's Rolex Bubbleback
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18K Rose Gold 1940's Bubbleback by Rolex - Original Warranty Papers, Rare model in excellent
18k Gold
Rare Rose Gold 1940's Bubbleback by Rolex
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18K Rose Gold 1940's Bubbleback by Rolex
18k Gold
1940's "Bowtie" Dial with Scientific Markers & Rare Case Rolex
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Stainless-Steel "Bowtie" Dial with Scientific Markers & Rare Case by Rolex - circa 1940
Stainless Steel
ROLEX "Star Dial" Rare Vintage Yellow Gold 1940's Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
years ago. To find a 1940's Rolex of this importance in this condition is very exciting. This timepiece
18k Gold
Rolex Vintage Chronograph Stainless Steel 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Vintage Cosmograph Stainless Steel Rolex from 1930's with Rolex Service Papers. Rolex Service
Stainless Steel
1940's Oversized Men's Dress Wristwatch by Rolex
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
1940's Oversized Men's Dress Wristwatch by Rolex -"Owl Claw" Stylized lugs -37mm case
18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Chronometer Bubbleback with Black Dial 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 2940 METAL
9ct Yellow Gold 1940's Oversized 'Shock-Resisting' Rolex
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
9ct Yellow Gold 1940's Oversized 'Shock-Resisting' Rolex - 37mm 9ct Yellow Gold Case, Extremely
9k Gold
1940's Women's 14k Yellow Gold and Diamond Rolex Wristwatch Antique Rolex
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
A "Rolex" ladies 14K Yellow Gold and Diamond Wristwatch: Rhodium-plated caliber-1400 movement with
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940's 18K Pink Gold Watch sold by 'Serpico y Laino' by Rolex
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
, circa 1940, signed Rolex
18k Gold
Extremely Rare 1940's Rolex Dealer Counter Display
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Extremely Rare 1940's Rolex Dealer Counter Display. Rolex Oyster Watches Display. Made from wood
9ct Yellow Gold Oyster "Rolex Royal" by Rolex
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
, "Rolex Oyster Royal," circa 1940
9k Gold
Rolex Rose Gold Viceroy Wristwatch Ref 3359 with California Dial circa 1940
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Unbelievably rare and handsome early example of a 1940s Rolex Viceroy in 18k rose gold. Manual wind
Rose Gold, 18k Gold
1940's ROLEX PRECISION Vintage Mens Rare Ref. 3923 18K Rose Gold & SS
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
other online sites. 1940's ROLEX PRECISION Vintage Mens Ref. 3923 Coin Edge Watch - 18K Rose Gold
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
ROLEX Extremely Rare Early Black Dial Chronograph
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
1942, this watch is a wonderful find for all ROLEX and chronograph collectors.
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel 'Majestic' Oyster by Rolex
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Stainless Steel 'Majestic' Oyster by Rolex
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Chronometer California Dial
By Rolex
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
ROLEX REF. 3458 BUBBLE BACK.STAINLESS STEEL BEAUTIFULL PATINA Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Chronometer
Stainless Steel
Sold|$4,500
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Watch 14k Gold 30mm
By Rolex
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Everyone needs a Rolex in their timepiece collection. Circa 1940s, this 30mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual
14k Gold
Rare Rolex 18K White Gold & Diamond "Prince" Pocketwatch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18K White Gold & Diamond "Prince" Pocketwatch by Rolex - very rare Diamond Pocketwatch Dial, Very
Diamond, 18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Vintage Bubbleback Automatic Wristwatch Ref 6050
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Vintage Bubbleback 6050 Men's Stainless Steel Watch - Automatic winding. Stainless steel case
Sold|$8,920
1940s Rolex Unisex Square Manual Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
This is a 1940s 18ct rose gold unisex Rolex watch. The dial is a cream colour with gold hands and
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Oyster Royal Manual Winding Wristwatch, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage mens Rolex Oyster Royal manual winding wristwatch, Circa.1940's Gender: Mens Vintage Model
Rolex Oyster Royal Manual Winding Wristwatch, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage mens Rolex Oyster Royal manual winding wristwatch, Circa 1940's Gender: Mens Vintage Model
1940s Rolex Oyster Athlete Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
The evolution of the Rolex sport watch is clear upon examination of this unique vintage wristwatch
Stainless Steel
Rare Rolex Oyster Chronograph Monoblocco / Barilotto 3525
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare and historically significant Rolex Oyster Chronograph, reference 3525 the very first
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Square “Ciccolatone” Automatic Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An important Rolex dress watch from the 1940s in 18k yellow gold. The case measures 31mm wide
18k Gold
Sold|$6,500
Rolex Yellow Gold Bubble Back Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Rolex Bubbleback 3131 14k yellow gold 32mm in exceptionally nice condition. From the 1940s. It has
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
ROLEX 1940s Rose Gold 'Saturn' ref. #3029 Chronometer Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Among the most rare of vintage Rolex models from this era, this piece has special recessed enamel
18k Gold
ROLEX Rare Oversized Honey Comb Dial Contract Gold Case
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
ROLEX Rare Oversized Honey Comb Dial Contract Gold Case
18k 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.