Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking with Original Dial and Hands from 1947
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Reference 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 30mm X Diameter 35m...
Rolex Gold Top Tropical Series Steel Back Early Ladies Perpetual from 1947
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Top with Steel Back CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 29mm x Diameter 24mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Black with Gold Numbers / Gil...
1947 Vintage Rolex Speedking Stainless Steel with Rare Pink Gold Arabic Dial!
By Rolex
Located in Warrington, PA
Many believed this is the reason the Rolex 'Speedking' was born. Featured here is a vintage Rolex Oyster Speedking circa 1947 with rare dial with pink gold Arabic applied numbers ...
Stainless Steel
1947 Rolex Precision Vintage Mens "Jumbo" Watch - 14K Gold & Stainless Steel
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 on...
14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking with Original Dial and Hands from 1947
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Reference 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 30mm X Diameter 35m...
Rolex Steel Mid-Size Oyster with Original Dial and Early Crown from 1947 or 1948
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Mid Size Oyster Speedking Style / Ref. 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1947-48 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 35mm X ...
Rolex 18 Karat Gold Early Ovetone Wristwatch from 1946 or 1947 with Rare Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Ovesized "Ovetone" Big Egg / Ref. 6305 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1946-47 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 41mm x 36mm M...
1947 Rolex Oyster Royal 4444 Stainless Steel Men's Watch Hand-Winding
By Rolex
Located in Washington Depot, CT
1947 Rolex Oyster Royal Men's Watch Model: 4444 Serial: 591784 This authentic Rolex watch is hand winding Set in stainless steel with a white dial Gold markers and hands 30mm c...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Ladies Rose Gold and Steel Art Deco Watch from 1947
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: / Art Deco Tropical / Reference 4327 METAL / MATERIAL: Rose Gold Top Steel Back CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 29mm Len...
Gold
Rolex Steel Watch with Original Dial from 1947 Great Birthday Gift
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 3/4 Size / Ref. 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 - 48 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 35mm X 30mm MOVEMENT / CALIB...
Rolex Bubble Back Yellow Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Vintage Rolex Yellow Gold Bubble Back Watch, circa 1947.
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Steel Automatic Wrist Watch with California Dial
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1947 Rolex Reference 6565 Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece Oyster case.
Steel
Vintage Rolex Precision Reference 4061 Stainless Steel Watch, 1947
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1947 Vintage Rolex Precision Ref. 4061 Stainless Steel watch with Original Two Tone Silver and Brown Dial with Applied Steel Arabic 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 with Stick/Bar/Baton Marker...
Rolex Pink gold Bubbleback self winding wristwatch ref 3372, circa 1947
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A Christmas present from 69 years ago, could be a Christmas present again! Rolex 14K PG Bubbleback ref 3372 serial # 495,xxx circa 1947.
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Pink Gold Bubbleback ref# 3131 circa 1947
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K PG Bubbleback ref # 3131 circa 1947, 31mm diameter 3 piece Oyster case, Beautifully restored antique salmon dial with antique patina'd luminous indexes and mercedes hands.
18k Gold
Rolex Gold Athlete "Empire" ref. 3548 circa 1947
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Rolex 18K PG automatic "Empire" model ref# 3548 circa 1947.
18k Gold
Rare Rolex Gold Automatic "Empire" model ref# 3548 circa 1947
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Rolex 18K PG automatic "Empire" model ref# 3548 circa 1947.
18k Gold
Rare Rolex 18K PG automatic "Empire" model ref# 3548 circa 1947
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Rolex 18K PG automatic "Empire" model ref# 3548 circa 1947.
18k Gold
Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Factory Original Dark Blue Sunburst Dial, 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Date / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter ...
Stainless Steel
NALLY GIA Fancy Pink Color Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Natural GIA Certified Fancy Light Purplish Pink Diamond Ring This rectangular mixed cut diamond weighs 4.03 carat (Color: Fancy Light Purplish Pink, Clarity: SI1, GIA# ) set in 18k...
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Platinum
Cartier Tank 1710 Américaine Diamond Bezel Quartz 18K Gold Watch
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Cartier Tank Américaine watch with diamond bezel and bracelet in 18K yellow gold, featuring a rectangular 19 x 34.5mm case and quartz movement. Designed with timeless Roman numerals ...
18k Gold
Cartier Riviera Paris Vintage Yellow Gold Ladies Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Cartier Riviera Paris Wrist Watch, 23 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 Piece case, Sapphire crown, 17 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind movement, White dial with Black Roman numerals. ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ladies Omega 14K Yellow Gold Automatic Watch with Mesh Band and Gold Dial
By Omega
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Ladies Omega Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Automatic Watch with Mesh Band and Gold Dial. (Pre-Owned) Pre-Owned Brand: Omega. Gender: Ladies. Dial Color: Gold. Case Back: Solid. Band Type: ...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual with Machined Bezel, Early 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Reference 1007 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm x Diameter 34 mm M...
Vacheron Constantin Platinum and Diamond Dress Watch with Ceylon Sapphires, 1920
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Vacheron Constantin for Merimont STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum Diamond Sapphires CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Leng...
Hilton White Gold Filled Mid Century Mystery Watch
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Mid Century / Mystery Model METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 30mm X Diame...
$27,500
H 1.42 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.42 in
Rolex Day-Date 36mm 18k Yellow Gold Champagne Diamond Dial Automatic Watch 18038
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-Owned. Factory Diamond dial. Comes with an original box, No papers. * Free Shipping within the USA * Three-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buye...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Steel Oyster with Rare Original Dial from 1946
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster / Reference 4365 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1946 DIMENSIONS: Length 39mm X Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT...
Stainless Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Constellation Original Dial Automatic Watch
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Constellation Chronometer METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 43mm X Diameter 34mm CIRCA: 1950's MOV...
$1,995
H 1.62 in W 1.34 in
1966 Omega (Seamaster) Rare Cal. 560 Vintage Mens 10K Gold Filled & Stainless St
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...
Gold-filled, Stainless Steel
$11,706 / item
Dm 1.23 in
Rolex 31mm Datejust Two Tone Diamond Bezel & Lugs Silver Color Dial Watch 68273
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Women's Rolex 31mm Datejust Two Tone Diamond Bezel & Lugs Silver Color Dial with 8 + 2 Accent 68273 This watch is in like new condition. It has been polished, serviced and has no vi...
Diamond, Gold, Stainless Steel
$9,909
H 0.46 in Dm 1.03 in
18kt Yellow Gold MINI Universal Geneve Compur Chronograph Watch, Extremy Rare
By Universal Genève
Located in Antwerp, BE
Extremely rare miniature 18kt Yellow Gold MINI Universal Genève Compur Chronograph Watch One of the worlds smallest mechanical chronograph from 1940 s !!!!!!!!!! Movement: Mechanic...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe for Shreve Crump & Low Platinum Diamond 1920s Ladies Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Patek Philippe Ladies Bracelet Wrist Watch retailed by Shreve Crump & Low, 24 X 13 M.M. Platinum case set with Old cut Diamonds. Hand Engraved design work on the case sid...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Piaget Gold Watch
By Piaget
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed by Piaget Circa 1960s Size 6 1/4 inches
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.
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.