Rolex Datejust 16234 Tropical Stardust Dial 36mm Circa 1988 Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust ref. 16234 in stainless steel, circa 1988, featuring an original copper-orange tropical “Stardust” dial with black Roman numeral minute track, sapphir...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Daytona Automatic Chronograph, Ref. 16520, Full Set, 1988
By Rolex
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rolex Daytona, Ref. 16520, U serial, Full Set from 1998 with Service Papers from 2008 and 2020, with original certificate. Model: 16520 Movement: Automatic Chronograph Zenith Cas...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1988 Rolex Lady Datejust President 69178 18K YG Champagne Automatic 26mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Foundational Gold Rolex The reference 69178 is the definitive ladies' gold watch.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1988 Rolex Datejust 36 16013 Two-Tone Auto Champagne Diamond Dial 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
In the world of vintage Rolex, the diamond dial adds a layer of depth and light-play that standard stick markers simply cannot match.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1988 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 67193 Two-Tone Automatic Champagne Dial 26mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Oyster Perpetual Before It Got Loud This Lady Datejust is a clean example of how Rolex approached smaller Oyster Perpetuals in the late 1980s.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1988 Rolex Lady Datejust 69178 18K Yellow Gold Walnut Dial Auto 26mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
During the 1970s and 80s, Rolex experimented with organic materials, creating dials from thin veneers of wood and stone.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unisex Rolex Date Stainless Steel Watch Oyster White Roman Dial 15010 Circa 1988
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unisex Rolex Date Stainless Steel Watch Oyster White Roman Dial 15010 Circa 1988.
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Datejust Presidential Diamond Ruby 18K Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
The model 69178, produced in 1988, represents the pinnacle of Rolex's ladies dress watch output during the late 1980s, a period when Rolex embraced full gem-setting as an expression ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Rolex Platinum DateJust Presidential 15 Carat Diamond 26mm Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1988 Rolex Datejust Presidential in platinum featuring 15 carats of natural diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Rolex Date 15003 34mm Champagne Dial 18k Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Jubilee
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 15003 Serial: R76**** Year: 1988 Model: Rolex Date Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: 18k Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel Jubilee Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold Dial: Ch...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Lady Datejust 26mm 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Pave Dial President Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1988 Rolex Lady Datejust 26mm in solid 18K yellow gold featuring a fully diamond and ruby paved dial with round brilliant diamond bezel totaling approximately 3.00 carats, ru...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Rolex Datejust 16000 36mm Blue Mother Of Pearl Diamond Dial Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 16000 Serial: R50**** Year: 1988 Model: Rolex Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Jubilee Bezel: Stainless Steel Dial: Custom B...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex GMT-Master 40mm PEPSI Black Stainless Steel Watch Blue/Red 16700 Year 1995
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Produced from 1988-1999, the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16700 was the first steel GMT with sapphire crystal glass.
Stainless Steel
1988 Rolex Day Date Rubellite Diamond Dial Ref. 18038
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
Rubellite Rolex hasn’t left a stone unturned when it comes to the selection of materials they used for their dials.
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Date with White Face on Black Strap, circa 1988
By Rolex
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Rolex Date model has a simple design that is just as chic and modern today as it was in 1988.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Day Date, Yellow Gold, Model Number 18238, Registered, 1988
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
A highly collectable 36 mm blue dial Rolex Day Date in yellow gold.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date, Yellow Gold, Model Number 18238, Registered, 1988
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
A highly collectable 36 mm blue dial Rolex Day Date in yellow gold.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date Yellow Gold, Model Number 18238, Registered 1988
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
A highly collectable 36 mm blue dial Rolex Day Date in yellow gold.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Diamond Day-Date 18138 with Rare Bezel Circa 1988
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
The President bracelet is beautifully preserved. Made circa 1988, this watch will only grow more collectable and valuable over time.
18k Gold
Rolex Lady Datejust Wristwatch Ref 69178, 18K Yellow Gold, Champagne Dial, 1988
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
A full set, comprising: inner and outer tapestry box with 69178 and gold tone stickers, handkerchief, Your Rolex Oyster booklet (1987), Rolex Datejust booklet (1988), warranty papers...
Rolex Datejust 16234 Custom Bezel and Dial 1988 Diamond Automatic Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Details: Brand Rolex Series Datejust Model Model Number 16234 Serial R - Series Reference Number Production Year 1988 Movement Automatic Self Wind Gender Mens Case Material Stainle...
Vintage 1988 Rolex DayDate Model 18078 18 Karat Yellow Gold Black Stick Dial
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Maker: Rolex Model: DayDate 18078 Year: 1988 Material: 18k Yellow Gold Dial: Black and Gold Stick Case Measurement: 36mm Movement: Automatic Condition: Very Good Weight: 78 Grams Si...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1988 Rolex DateJust Model 69173 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Stainless Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Maker: Rolex Model: DateJust 69173 Year: 1988 Material: 18k Yelow Gold and Stainless Steel Dial: Beige Tapestry Case Measurement: 26mm Movement: Automatic Movement Condition: Very Go...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
1988 Rolex GMT II Stainless Steel and 18k Gold, "Rootbeer" Dial Model 16713
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex GMT II Stainless Steel and 18k Gold, "Rootbeer" Dial Model 16713 c.1988 40mm Dial Made In Switzerland Rolex’s original GMT-Master was conceived and developed in 1955 as a way...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel, Steel
Rolex Datejust Stainless Steel and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Unisex 68273, 1988
By Rolex
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Ref: W4020 Model: 68273 Serial: R72**** Condition: 9 - Excellent Condition Age: 1st January 1988 Case Diameter: 31 mm Case Size: 31mm Box and Papers: Box and Guarantee Movement: Aut...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust Steel Custom 1.20 Carat Diamond White MOP Dial 1988 Watch 16014
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Details: Model Number 16014 Brand Rolex Department Men Style Dress/Formal, Luxury Model Rolex Datejust 16014 Band Color Steel Dial Color Mother of Pearl Case Color Steel Display Anal...
Rolex Datejust 31 68278, 18 Karat Gold and Diamond Ladies Watch, circa 1988
By Rolex
Located in Carmel, IN
This beautiful ladies Rolex watch was recently serviced and runs great! This DateJust 31 features an 18k yellow gold case & bracelet, a custom diamond bezel, and a stunning mother-o...
18k Gold
Extremely Rare Rolex Cellini Black Pyramid 18k Yellow Gold Watch 5150/8
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
While we were able to find this piece offered for sale in the 1988 Rolex catalogue we were not able to find a single example of this watch ever sold in any auction catalogue or for s...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 26mm Diamond Bezel 18K Two Tone Gold Jubilee Ladies Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Women's Wristwatch 18K Rolex Lady-Datejust 26mm Ref. 67193 two-tone stainless steel and 18k yellow gold vintage 1988 watch featuring a jubilee bracelet and ~1.00 carat custom d...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Rolex Gem-Set Daytona El Primero
By Rolex
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted in 18K yellow gold, this automatic chronograph is powered by the legendary Zenith El Primero movement—Rolex's first self-winding chronograph caliber. Between 1988 and 2000, R...
18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Zenith Daytona Chronograph Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
The elusive stainless steel Daytona, sought-after and coveted by enthusiasts globally and eternally hunted by Rolex lovers. In 1988, Rolex switched from a manual wind movement to a Z...
Stainless Steel
Rare Vintage Rolex Day-Date Florentine Finish Champagne Dial 1806 Automatic
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
This watch comes with the following original documentation: Rolex Papers dated October 1965 Original bill of sale Rolex Day-Date booklet Instruction manual Chronometre certificate ...
18k Gold
Rolex Daytona with Zenith movement, ref 16523, rare mark 2 dial, B&P's, 1989.
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
The other idiosyncrasy about the earliest Zenith Daytonas is the non flip lock clasp, produced 1988-1990, which this has. The overall condition of this example is superb, and certain...
Rolex GMT-Master II Fat Lady Coke Steel Black Dial Automatic Men's Watch 16760
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
1988's Rolex Gmt-Master II. Minor scratches on the bezel as in pictures.
Vintage Rolex Submariner 5513 Black Dial Stainless Steel 1988 Unpolished
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 5513 Serial: R929*** Year: 1988 Model: Submariner Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: Black Dial: Black Face: Acry...
Stainless Steel
1988 Rolex Datejust Stainless Steel White Roman Automatic Men's Watch 16234
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This 1988 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref. 16234 features a stainless-steel case paired with an 18k white gold fluted bezel and a crisp white Roman numeral dial.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Lady Datejust Silver Dial Diamond Indexes 69174, 1988
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Rolex Model: 69174 Year: 1988 Serial number: L7xxxxx Reference: C04625 Case: 26mm in diameter without crown; Show sign of wear with slight polish from previous w/inner case ...
Steel
1988 Rolex Ladies 69173 Two Tone Watch Champagne Diamond Dial Jubilee Band
By Rolex
Located in Washington Depot, CT
1988 Rolex Ladies Two Tone Watch Model: 69173 Serial: R226206 26mm case Champagne dial with 10 diamond markers Gold and stainless jubilee band.
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 16234 Custom Bezel and Dial 1988 Diamond Automatic Men’s Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Details: Brand Rolex Series Datejust Model Model Number 16234 Serial R - Series Reference Number Production Year 1988 Movement Automatic Self Wind Gender Mens Case Material Stainle...
Rolex Datejust 16234 Custom Bezel and Dial 1988 Diamond Automatic Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Details: Brand Rolex Series Datejust Model Model Number 16234 Serial R - Series Reference Number Production Year 1988 Movement Automatic Self Wind Gender Mens Case Material Stainle...
Rolex Stainless Steel Air King with Papers, Box, And Original Dial circa, 1988
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1988 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 34mm ...
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.
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.