Rolex Ladies 18Kt. Gold Early Perpetual Winding "Bubble Back" Watch, circa 1949
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: "Bubble Back" / Reference 5002 METAL
Yellow Gold
Rolex Gold Ovettone Original Dial Perpetual Watch, From 1949 Anyone Turning 68?
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Ovettone / Full Size / Ref. 6075 METAL
Tudor Two Tone Steel & Rose Gold Bezel All Original from 1949
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tudor by Rolex STYLE / REFERENCE: Solar Aqua / Reference 4547 METAL / MATERIAL
9k Rose Gold Vintage Rolex c1949 Square 26mm Manual Gents' Watch. Fine & V Rare.
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This retro timepiece by Rolex is in great condition & in excellent working order, featuring: - a
Rose Gold
ROLEX Ref. 8784 Lantern Pendant Rolex Precision Made in the 1950
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
, the Rolex crown logo in place of 12. Gold feuille hands. 5''', rhodium-plated, rectangular with canted
Gold, 18k Gold
Sold|$1,650
1940s 14kt Gold Rolex Orchid Watch
By Rolex
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Gorgeous Rolex Orchid ladies watch crafted of 14kt Gold. Features a white dial and gold number
14k Gold
Sold|$2,800
Rolex Steel Oyster Speed King, 1941
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster / Reference 2280 METAL / MATERIAL
Stainless Steel
1945 Bubbleback Rolex Stainless Steel Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in South Pasadena, CA
1945 Bubbleback Rolex Stainless Steel Wristwatch. The Rolex Bubbleback Stainless Steel Wristwatch
Steel, Stainless Steel
Sold|$6,500
Rolex Bubble Back Yellow Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Vintage Rolex Yellow Gold Bubble Back Watch, circa 1947. Vintage Rolex Bubbleback 14k gold ref
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$4,900
Rolex Gold Art Deco Rectangle Tank Style
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Yeloow Gold
Rolex Steel Oyster Lipton Wristwatch from 1944
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Lipton METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless
Sold|$8,467
Rolex Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold 4635
By Rolex
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Reference: COM1653 Manufacturer: Rolex Model: Vintage Model Reference: 4635 Age: Circa 1948 Gender
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$3,100
1940 Rolex Rare Enamel Silver Travel Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940 Rolex Travel Watch, Sterling Silver case measuring 1 1/8 X 1 inch with fold open
Sterling Silver
Rolex Precision Vintage Steel Manual Wind Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1948 Rolex Precision Wrist watch, 32 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece Oyster case, original Crown
Steel
Sold|$2,800
Yellow Gold Ladies Rolex 1940s Watch
By Rolex
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Length: 6.95 inches Metal Type: 14 karat Yellow Gold Weight: 36.8 grams Movement: Manual Wind Finger to Top of Stone Measurement: 6.53mm
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$4,886
Vintage 9ct Gold Rolex Watch, c.1940s
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
Dating to the 1940s comes this beautiful Rolex watch The 9 carat yellow gold case is a rectangle
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 1946 Steel Bubbleback Self Winding Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1946 Rolex Reference 2940 Bubbleback model Wrist Watch, 39 M.M. ( lug end to end ) X 32 M.M
Steel
Rolex Precision 1950 Yellow Gold Lady Wirstwatch
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
This model of lady Rolex Precision is very rare. We believe it was manufactured before 1950 and
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$1,750
1940s Gold Women's Manual Wind Rolex Watch
By Rolex
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Metal Type: 14 Karat Gold Weight: 12.1 grams Diameter: 14.75mm
14k Gold
Rolex 1940s Bucherer Retailed Gold Filled Pocket Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Rolex for Carl Bucherer of Switzerland Pocket Watch, 44 M.M. 3 piece Gold Filled Case
Gold-filled
Rolex 1940s Rose Gold Ladies Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Ladies Rolex Wrist Watch, 36 M.M. ( lug end to end ) X 18 M.M. 2 piece 18k Rose Gold
15k Gold
Sold|$4,250
14-Karat Yellow Gold Rolex Men's Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
14-karat yellow gold Montres Rolex Geneva Swiss watch with a genuine calfskin leather strap, circa
Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Manual Wind Pocket Watch, 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Rolex Precision Reference 9165 Pocket Watch 45 MM Stainless Steel 3 Piece case. 17
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Bubble Back Perpetual Winding Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back / Romabic METAL / MATERIAL
Rolex Classic Oyster with Original Dial from 1944
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster / Ref.4444 METAL / MATERIAL
Rolex Nickel Silver Cushion Shaped Oyster with Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Cushion Shape / Reference 1069 METAL
Rolex Oyster Rayleigh WWII Military Wristwatch, 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Braintree, GB
Rolex Oyster Rayleigh WWII Military Wristwatch. Made in 1940s. The wristwatch was designed to
Stainless Steel
1940's Rolex Ladies Vintage Cocktail Watch - Platinum & Diamonds
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
. 1940's ROLEX Ladies Vintage Cocktail Watch - Platinum & Diamonds Very Rare & Beautiful - Luxurious
Platinum
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. Caliber
Steel
Retro ROLEX Platinum + Diamond Cocktail Watch w/ Leather Band
By Rolex
Located in Narberth, PA
A gorgeous Retro (ca1940s) era Rolex watch! Crafted in platinum, this lovely watch is encrusted
Platinum
Rolex Yellow Gold Bubbleback Self Winding Wristwatch, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Rolex "BubbleBack" Wrist watch, 39 X 32 M.M. 14K yellow Gold 2 Piece Case
14k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Bubble Back Wristwatch Ref 2764
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual, Ref. 2764 MOVEMENT
Rolex Oyster Royalite WW2 Area in Mint Condition
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A rare and exiting Rolex oyster Royalite ww2 area in mint condition!!! Stunning. A piece of history
14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Rose Gold Precision Super Balance Wristwatch Ref 3667
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 1940’s very fine Rolex Precision Super Balance 3667 18k pink gold watch with brown Alligator
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex 1940 Rose Gold and Steel Mechanical Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940 Rolex Wrist Watch, 39 X 27 MM 2 piece case with a Rose Gold Shell Top and a Stainless
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Precision Vintage Yellow Gold Ladies Mechanical Wrist Bracelet Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Rolex Ladies Precision Wrist Watch, 16 M.M. Diameter X 5 M.M. thick 14k Yellow Gold 2
14k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Bubble Back Rare Sector Dial Perpetual Winding Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Bubble Back METAL
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Royal Shock Resisting Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
(both not by Rolex), plastic glass, manual wind movement, in excellent condition, comes with an original
Stainless Steel
Rolex Centregraph Gold Filled Ladies Wrist Watch circa, 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Centregraph METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Filled
Gold-filled
Rolex Steel Automatic Centre Seconds Bubbleback Ref 2940 Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Jewelled automatic movement, silvered dial with applied Arabic and dagger hour markers, centre seconds, polished case with chamfered bezel, screw down crown and screw back, fitted le...
Steel
Rolex Steel Ladies Watch with Original Dial from 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round METAL / MATERIAL: Steel
Rolex, Precision. 18-carat gold ladies' wristwatch set with twelve diamonds.
By Rolex
Located in bronshoj, DK
Rolex, Precision. 18-carat gold ladies' wristwatch set with twelve diamonds. Approx. 1940/50s
Rolex Vintage Precision Yellow Gold Silver Dial Ladies Wristwatch 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
clasp, plastic glass, manual wind movement, in excellent condition, comes with a Rolex box, our own
Yellow Gold
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
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
Gold
Rolex 1940's Vintage Ref 6552 Steel Self winding Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1945 Rolex Reference 6552 Wrist Watch, 34 M.M Stainless Steel 3 piece Oyster Case. Caliber
Steel
Vintage Rolex Stainless Steel Wristwatch with Bulls-Eye Dial Ref 3478
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Rolex stainless steel wristwatch with bulls-eye dial, circa 1941. Original natural patina, two-tone
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Top Oyster Essex with Original Dial from 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex / Tudor Essex STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Reference 3478 METAL / MATERIAL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Manual-Winding 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Model Oyster Perpetual Year 1940's Gold plated Rolex buckle Dimensions 34 mm.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Manual-Winding 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Model Oyster Perpetual Year 1940's Gold plated Rolex buckle Dimensions 34 mm.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Extremely Rare Rolex Oyster Precision Men's Vintage Stainless Steel Watch 4417
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Extremely Rare Rolex Oyster Precision Men's Vintage Stainless Steel Watch 4417 - Manual winding
Vintage Rolex Oyster Royal 6444 Stainless Steel Midsize Very Rare
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 6444 Serial: 205*** Model: Oyster Royal Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Custom Leather Band Bezel: Stainless Steel Dial: Ivory Face: Acrylic Case Size: ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Rose Gold Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Bubble Back Strap Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Rolex bubble back 1944 with deep pink, almost red, gold bezel and beautiful black dial with mixed
Rose Gold, Steel
Rolex Zephyr Oyster Perpetual Vintage Steel & Gold Quadrant 6582 Automatic Watch
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
case, a brand new brown leather strap with a stainless steel pin buckle (both not by Rolex), plastic
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Bubble-Back, Oyster Perpetual, Chronometer, Ref. 2940
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
BERNARDO ANTICHITÀ PONTE VECCHIO FLORENCE Made in the 1940s. Fine, tonneau-shaped, center seconds, self-winding, waterresistant, stainless steel wristwatch. Case two-body, polished...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Midsize Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref.3372 Bubble Back Automatic, c.1940s LV942
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, men's 14k gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref.3372 bubble back
14k Gold
1940's Rolex WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens 52mm Pocket Watch - Nick
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
other online sites. 1940's ROLEX WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens 52mm Pocket Watch - Nickel
Other
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.