Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Custom Yellow Dial 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Custom Yellow Dial, 1960s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43...
Rolex yellow Gold Stainless Steel Air King Precision Date Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King 34mm with date pre-owned wristwatch Ref # 5701N/3, silvered dial, classic fluted bezel, stainless steel and 18kt yellow gold jubilee bracelet, 21 link...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Air King 5501 14 Karat Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Leather Strap
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 5501 Serial: 968*** Model: Air King Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Custom Leather Band Bezel: 14K Yellow Gold Dial: Silver Face: Ac...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Air King Custom Finished Yellow Dial Rare Jubilee Bracelet from 1962
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Ref.5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1962-63 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 39mm x 34mm MOVEME...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Air-King Gold Dial Model 5500 Stainless Steel c.1987
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Rolex Air-King Model 5500 Stainless Steel Yellow/Gold Original Dial c.1987 Stephanie Windsor guarantees the proper functioning of this watch mechanism for ONE year from...
Stainless Steel
Mens Rolex Precision Ref 5701 35mm 14k SS Air King Date Automatic 1960s RA446
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare classic, Men's Rolex ref.5701 Air King Date with 14k gold bezel automatic, c.1967, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex sign...
Stainless Steel, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mens Rolex Precision Ref 5701 35mm 14k SS Air King Date Automatic 1960s RA446B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare classic, Men's Rolex ref.5701 Air King Date with 14k gold bezel automatic, c.1967, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex sign...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Mens Rolex Precision Ref 5701 35mm 14k SS Air King Date Automatic 1960s RA446S
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Iconic classic, Men's rare Rolex Air King Date ref.5701 14k gold stainless steel automatic, c.1967, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeou...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold "Shell" Air King with Flawless Original Dial 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 1025-3 METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Shell / Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / ...
Yellow Gold, Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Custom Yellow Dial 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Custom Yellow Dial 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Custom Yellow Dial, 1960s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43...
Rolex Air King 5501 Silver Dial 14 Karat Yellow Gold Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 5501 Serial: 1560*** Model: Air King Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Custom Leather Band Bezel: 14K Yellow Gold Bezel Dial: Silver Fa...
Mens Rolex Ref 5501 Air King 14k Gold SS Automatic 1960s Vintage RA240B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic icon, Men's 14k gold & stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual 5501 Air-King automatic, c.1963. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous, Rolex signed two tone blue...
14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex for Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Air-King Watch, 1980s
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Air-King Watch Beautiful Factory Silver Dial Marked Tiffany & Co.
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King Black Dial Steel Mens Watch 126900 Unworn
By Rolex
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King Black Dial Steel Mens Watch 126900 Unworn.
Yellow Gold, Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual with A Custom Finished Mint Green Dial 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1500's METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm x Di...
Stainless Steel
Wendy Brandes 18K Yellow Brushed Gold Star Stud Earrings
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
Chunky little star studs -- inspired by motorcycle-jacket details -- are perfect for everyday wear. 18K yellow gold with satin finish. 8 mm x 8 mm Made in New York City
Yellow Gold
Emilio Jewelry Gia Certified Fancy Blue Diamond Ring
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
From Emilio Jewelry, a well known and respected wholesaler/dealer located on New York’s iconic Fifth Avenue, Featuring a very special center diamond Gia Certified as Natural 4.00 Ca...
Blue Diamond
Rolex Stainless Steel Air King with Custom Made Pink Dial, circa 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm X Diameter 34m...
Stainless Steel
$650 / item
W 0.56 in L 0.99 in
Blue Sapphire Cabs 14kt Solid Gold Blue Chalcedony Cushion Shape Stud Earrings
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
These simple but elegant and handmade earrings have 2 Oval Blue Sapphire cabs measuring 8 x 10 mm set in a 14 Kt yellow gold bezel at the top to which are suspended 2 Cushion Shap...
Chalcedony, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Custom Green Dial, 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42...
Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Blue Diamond Dial 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oysterdate / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 3...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Air King with Custom Made Pink Dial and Diamond Bezel circa, 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air-King / Reference 5500/1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm X Diamete...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Custom Green Dial circa 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1505 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Custom Blue Dial, 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm X Diameter 36...
Stainless Steel
$11,950
W 0.57 in L 1.82 in
Rare Art Deco C.H. Meylan Diamond Platinum Pendant Watch with Diamond Long Chain
By C.H. Meylan
Located in New York, NY
Fine and rare Art Deco period diamond and platinum pendant watch by C.H. Meylan on long, beautiful diamond and 18K white gold chain. Early 20th Century Charles-Henri Meylan is a stor...
Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
Cartier Massai Panthere Ring Yellow Gold 50
By Cartier
Located in Kobe, Hyogo
Item: Authentic Cartier Massai Panther Ring Stones: Tsavorite Garnet, Onyx Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Ring Size: 50 US SIZE 5.25 UK SIZE J 3/4 Internal Diameter: 15.95 mm Measurements: 6...
Onyx, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pierre Balmain Couture Ballgown 1955 Iconic Gown Dress
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Berlin, BE
'La Robe Broderie À Ramages' PIERRE BALMAIN PARIS Made In France, ca.1955 Majestic evening gown in silk and cream satin with the most astonishing embroiderery by PIERRE BALMAIN Haut...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Air King with Custom Finished Green Dial, 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 35m...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Custom Green Dial circa 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Custom Yellow Dial, 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1603 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43...
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.