Rolex Rose Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch Ref 3131 circa 1945
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K Rose Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch, Ref. 3131 serial number 3.2 million, circa 1945. 32mm
Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Rose Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch Ref 3131 circa 1945
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K Rose Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch, Ref. 3131 serial number 3.2 million, circa 1945. 32mm
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Barilotto Oyster Cosmograph Wristwatch Ref 4048
By Rolex
Located in Milano, IT
Unique and very rare stainless steel water resistant chronograph, rounded pushers.
Stainless Steel
ROLEX Pink Gold Bubble Back Chronometer Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Southampton, NY
14K pink gold bubble back case featuring a fully restored white dial with Arabic numerals, sweep seconds hand, circa 1940s
14k Gold
ROLEX Yellow Gold Bubble Back Chronometer Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Southampton, NY
14K yellow gold bubble back case featuring a silvered dial with Arabic numerals, sweep seconds hand, circa 1940s
14k Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch ref 3131 circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K Yellow Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch ref 3131 circa 1940s. 32mm diameter tonneau shaped
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Gold 14 Size Open Face Pocket Watch ref. 2441
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 18K YG 14 size open face pocket watch ref 2441 circa 1940's. Original matte silver dial with
18k Gold
Rolex Rose Gilt Top and Steel Bubbleback Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Bubbleback wristwatch with rose gold top and stainless steel case back, Ref# 3933, circa
14k Gold
Rolex SS/14K Hooded Bubbleback correct ref 3065 circa 1948
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex SS/14K Hooded Bubbleback correct ref 3065 circa 1948 with beautifully restored black sector
14k Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6048 Silver Dial 14K Yellow Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6048 Silver Dial 14K Yellow Gold Watch 31mm
Yellow Gold
Rolex Silver ref 1490 Branchard Prince, duo dial doctor's watch
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Sterling Silver ref 1490 Branchard Prince, duo dial doctor's watch. Large flared case 26 X
Sterling Silver
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster “King of Wings” Wristwatch Ref 4125
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster “King of Wings” model ref 4125 circa 1942. Featuring 35mm diameter stainless steel
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel and Rose Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch circa 1948
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel and rose gold Bubbleback wristwatch, Ref. 5010, serial number 62,XXX, circa
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch with California Dial circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14k yellow gold Bubbleback wristwatch, circa 1940s. 32mm case with smooth bezel, screw back
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 14K PG man's Oyster Perpetual bubbleback ref #3131 c.1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K PG man's Oyster Perpetual bubbleback ref #3131 circa 1940's. 3 piece screw down 34mm
18k Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Bubble Back Oyster Perpetual Automatic Wristwatch Ref 3372
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex 18K Yellow Gold "Bubble Back" Oyster Perpetual Automatic Wristwatch, circa 1947. This Bubble
18k Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Rectangular Prince Railway Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Milano, IT
A beautiful Prince, a stainless steel and yellow gold rectangular shaped wristwatch with special two tone dial in very good condition.
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex 14K YG Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback ref# 3131 circa 1940's
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K YG Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback ref# 3131 circa 1940's with 3 piece case, smooth
14k 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. Large drum shaped case with heavy
18k Gold
Rolex Antimagnetic Chronograph Wristwatch Ref 2508 W. Rosch Berne circa 1940
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel antimagnetic chronograph wristwatch, Ref. 2508, circa 1940, retailed by W
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel and Rose Gold Square Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel and rose gold square Precision dress wristwatch, 26mm x 33.5mm case with
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Bombe self winding wristwatch Ref 5018, circa 1948
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Scarce and desirable model Rolex stainless steel “Bombe ref 5018 serial # 608,xxx circa 1948
Stainless Steel
Rolex Rose Gold and Stainless Steel Bubbleback Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel and rose gold Bubbleback wristwatch, Ref. 3372, circa 1940s. 32mm case with
Stainless Steel, Rose Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel and Rose Gold Speedking Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel and rose gold Speedking wristwatch, circa 1940s. Boy's size 31mm case with
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex 18K Gold 14 size open face pocket watchcirca 1930's.
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 18K gold 14 size open face pocket watch circa 1940's. Original matte silver dial with Roman
18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Bubbleback Wristwatch with Original Black Dial circa 1944
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel bubbleback wristwatch, Ref. 2940, serial number 295,XXX, circa 1944. With
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Bubbleback Oyster Perpetual Chronometer Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K Yellow Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch circa 1940s. 32mm diameter case with smooth bezel and
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Rolex Prince Brancard Steel and Gold Watch Leather Strap
By Rolex
Located in Greenwich, CT
Vintage Rolex Prince Brancard, Circa 1939-1943 in very good working condition. Original Rolex crown
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Ribbed Hooded Bubbleback Wristwatch, 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A scarce Rolex SS/14K YG ribbed hooded Bubbleback circa 1940’s. Featuring 32 mm diameter tonneau
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Rose Gold Bubbleback Original Black Dial Wristwatch Ref 3131 1946
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Great looking man’s Rolex Bubbleback 14K Rose Gold ref 3131 case serial # 444,xxx circa 1946 with
14k Gold
Rolex Rose Gold Stainless Steel Bubbleback Tropical Model Wristwatch 1943-44
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Bubbleback Tropical Model case serial # 269,xxx circa 1943 to 1944. Rose gold top and
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel and Rose Gold Coin Edge Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel and rose gold dress model wristwatch with coin edge case, circa 1940s. 33 X
Stainless Steel, Rose Gold
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
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Precision Honey Comb Dial Wristwatch Ref. 6482
By Rolex
Located in Paris, FR
Fine and very rare stainless steel "Staybrite" manual winding wristwatch with honey comb dial.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Rose Gold Top Steel Back Tropical Bubbleback Wristwatch circa 1944
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex rose gold top and stainless back Bubbleback Wristwatch, Ref. 3696, circa 1944. 32mm diameter
Stainless Steel, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch Ref 2940 circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel and yellow gold Bubbleback wristwatch, Ref. 2940, circa 1940s. 32mm tonneau
Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel Oyster Wristwatch Ref 5022 circa 1948
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex yellow gold top and stainless steel back Oyster wristwatch, Ref. 5022, circa 1948. 33mm case
Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold
Rolex Precision 14 Karat Pink Gold Manual Wind Ref 4010, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage Rolex Precision man’s 14K PG manual wind dress model ref 4010 circa 1940’s. Featuring a 20
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Rose Gold Oyster Chronometer 31 mm Manual Wristwatch Ref 2595, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage Rolex 14K rose gold manual wind boy’s size (31mm) Oyster case circa 1940’s, with screw
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Gold and Steel Square Wristwatch with Black Dial Ref 4578 circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rolex yellow gold and stainless steel square wristwatch, Ref. 4578. The back of this watch is
Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold
Sold|$2,200
STAINLESS STEEL ROLEX WATCH
Located in Miami, FL
1942 Stainless steel Rolex Oyster Speedking watch with medium silver face.Original Rolex jubilee
Stainless Steel
OYSTER WATCH CO Stainless Steel Sport Aqua Ref 4378 circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Oyster Watch Co. Sport Aqua Ref. 4378, circa 1940s. 34mm diameter Oyster case with screw down crown and case back. 17-jewel manual-wind movement with sweep seconds. With antique whit...
Stainless Steel
Sold|$4,650
Rolex Gold Bubbleback circa 1940's
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Bubbleback 10K YG circa 1940's. Tonneau shaped case with smooth bezel and screw down period
18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Square Dress Wristwatch
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Stainless Steel Square Dress Wristwatch circa 1940s. Featuring 28 X 36.5mm snap back case
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Super Precision Chronometer Wristwatch, circa 1949
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
A vintage Rolex Super Precision wristwatch, circa 1949. Snap back 18 carat gold case with faceted
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$17,531
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
Sold|$12,074
Rolex Precision, 14ct Gold, c1945.
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
A vintage Rolex Precision wristwatch made in c1945 Model 4635 Snap back 14 carat gold case
14k Gold
Sold|$17,395
Rolex Precision Gold Wristwatch c1940
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
Vintage Rolex Precision wristwatch dated Circa 1940. Snap back 18ct gold case with tapered
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$4,350
Rolex Rose Gold Precision Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K Rose Gold Precision Wristwatch circa 1940s. Medium size dress model, 33mm diameter case
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$2,900
Rolex Sterling Silver Dress Model Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rolex dress model watch, reference 365. A early sterling silver Rolex watch that features a manual
Sterling Silver
Sold|$2,650
Rolex Century Black Dial Gold Fill
By Rolex
Located in Bradford, Ontario
Authentic men’s WW2 era Rolex wristwatch. With black radar dial. The back bezel with ¼ century
Gold, Gold-filled
Rolex - Vintage Sporting Prince - Ref: 1561 - Men
By Rolex
Located in Yeşilköy, TR
caseback, manual wind movement, in excellent condition. Rolex chose to name this model the Sporting Prince
Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Viceroy Wristwatch Ref 3116
By Rolex
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rolex Viceroy stainless steel wristwatch, reference 3116. This beautiful 1940s Rolex Viceroy
Stainless Steel
Rolex Ladies Precision Stainless Steel Watch, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Montclair, NJ
Rolex Precision 17 rubis super balance stainless steel Ladies watch. Last two photos depict
Rolex Rose Gold Stainless Steel Bubbleback Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Rose Gold and Stainless Steel Bubbleback serial # 302,xxx circa 1945. 32mm diameter tonneau
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Rose Gold Square Dress Wristwatch Ref 4470
By Rolex
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rolex square dress watch in 18 karat pink gold, reference 4470. This beautiful rare Rolex watch
18k Gold
1940's Rolex Precision Yellow Gold 12834 Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
report. Rolex were in their heyday in the 1940s, having had significant post-war and prior success since
Yellow Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Precision Shock Resisting Wristwatch c1945
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
Model 4517. A Precision wristwatch by Rolex made circa 1945. Snap back Stainless Steel shock
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.
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.