Rolex Classic Steel Datejust with Original Dial and Machined Bezel
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1603 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm x Diamet...
Rolex Datejust Two Tone Diamond Dial Mens Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Mens Rolex- Datejust Date: 1978 34 mm Preowned Diamond Dial Reference: 1500 18kt yellow gold and stainless steel
Diamond, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Custom Orange Dial, 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA: 1970's DIMENSIONS: Length 44mm x Diameter...
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
Vintage Rolex Datejust Thunderbird Turn-O-Graph Two Tone Gold Steel Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph "Thunderbird" two-tone 18K yellow gold and stainless steel, reference 1625, featuring a champagne sunburst dial with applied gold baton indices, d...
18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Datejust Two Tone Watch with Jubilee Bracelet
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Two-tone Rolex Datejust in stainless steel with 18k gold overlay. 36mm dial ref. 1601 Datejust with gold-colored dial and 3 o'clock cyclops complication. Fluted bezel with sapphire c...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Custom Finished Purple 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 4...
Rolex Steel Datejust with Exceptional Factory Original Silvered Dial circa 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1603 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm X Diameter 36m...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 18kt Yellow Gold/Stainless Steel Mens Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Mens Rolex- Datejust Date: 1972 36 mm Preowned Reference: 1600 18kt yellow and stainless steel
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Factory Original Black Dial, 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41...
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Ref 1603 with Original Dial, circa 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1603 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm x Diameter 36m...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Datejust with Custom Finished Mother of Pearl 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 44...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 1601 Silver Piepan Dial 18k WG Fluted Bezel 1973
By Rolex
Located in SYDNEY, AU
Rolex Datejust 1601 Silver Piepan Dial 18k WG Fluted Bezel 1973 SKU 1906 Brand Rolex Model Datejust Reference 1601 Year 1973 Dial Silver Piepan Dial Case Steel and 18k White Gold ...
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Custom Yellow Dial and Strap 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
Rolex Steel Datejust with Custom Made Dial and Original Bracelet, circa 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 ...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1973 Rolex Datejust 1603 Stainless Steel Grey Dial Automatic 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Most Versatile Vintage Rolex The Datejust is the watch that defined Rolex for the better part of a century. It set the standard for a reliable, automatic, and water-resistant ca...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 1603 'Ghost' Gray Dial 3.5m Serial 1979 Full Set
By Rolex
Located in SYDNEY, AU
Rolex Datejust 1603 “Ghost Dial” — 3.5M Serial, 1979 (Full Set) A perfect blend of subtle patina and vintage soul, this 1979 Rolex Datejust 1603 stands out with its mesmerizing matt...
Rolex Datejust 1603 Sunburst Gray Non Lume Dial 2.7m Serial 1971
By Rolex
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 1272 Brand Rolex Model Datejust Reference 1603 Year 1971 Dial Gray Non Lume Case Steel and 18k White Gold Fluted Bezel Bracelet Leather Strap Diameter 36mm Length N/A Movement Au...
Vintage 1978 Rolex Datejust 1601 Two-Tone Champagne Dial Automatic 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Foundational Two-Tone Watch The Rolex Datejust is the benchmark. First released in 1945, it set the standard for a modern dress watch with its automatic movement and date functi...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 16014 Silver Diamond Dial Bezel Stainless Steel Jubilee Band
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 16014 Serial: 5881*** Year: 1979 Model: Rolex Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: Custom Diamond Bezel Dia...
Rolex Ladies Datejust 69240 26mm Silver Diamond Dial Stainless Steel Jubilee
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 69240 Serial: 553*** Year: 1978 Model: Rolex Ladies Datejust Case Material: 26mm Band: Stainless Steel Jubilee Bezel: Stainless Steel Dial: Custom Silver Diamond...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1972 Rolex Datejust 1601 Stainless Steel Silver Sunburst Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Foundational Rolex The Datejust is the watch that defined the modern dress watch. When it was introduced in 1945, it was the first automatic wristwatch with a date that changed ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Datejust Steel & 14k Rose Gold Grey Slate Dial 1601
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage Rolex Datejust reference 1601 in stainless steel and 14k rose gold. Featuring a superb grey slate dial with a date display and a 14k rose gold fixed fluted bezel. Fitted ...
Rose Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel, 14k Gold
Vintage 1976 Rolex Datejust 1603 Stainless Steel Silver Sunburst Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Most Versatile Vintage Rolex The Datejust is the anchor of the Rolex catalog, the watch that defined the modern dress piece. The reference 1603 stands out for its engine-turned ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 1601 Mosaic Blue JDM 5.1m Serial 1977 Box and Papers
By Rolex
Located in SYDNEY, AU
Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601, Mosaic Blue Dial, Steel & 18k White Gold, Full Set, 1977 (5.1M Serial, JDM) Among vintage Datejusts, few dials capture collectors’ imaginations like the Mo...
Vintage 1975 Rolex Datejust 1603 Stainless Steel Silver Sunburst Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Foundational Steel Rolex Every Datejust decision comes down to the bezel, and the 1603 picks the quiet one. Where the fluted bezel throws light and announces the gold, the engin...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Ladies Datejust 6905 26mm Champagne Dial 18k Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 6905 Serial: 359**** Year: 1974 Model: Rolex Ladies Datejust Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Band: 18k Yellow Gold Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold Flute...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1979 Rolex Datejust 16030 Stainless Steel Grey Buckley Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Rare Dial And An Uncommon Bracelet The reference 16030 is a cornerstone of vintage Rolex collecting, but this example stands apart with two key details. First is the rare grey Buc...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Two Tone Datejust with Original Dial & Two Straps circa, 1971
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Two tone CIRCA / YEAR: 1971 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm "Lug Tip to Lug Tip" X ...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1974 Rolex Datejust 1601 Two-Tone Matte Lemon Dial Automatic 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Classic Configuration With A Twist The reference 1601 is the quintessential vintage Datejust. Its combination of a 36mm steel case and a solid gold fluted bezel defined the catego...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 36 Ref.1601 36mm Solid Yellow Gold & Steel Rare Pie Pan Step Dial
By Rolex
Located in Zurich, CH
A Highly Coveted Vintage Icon Featuring the Rare Slate Grey Sunburst "Pie-Pan" Step Dial in Two-Tone 18K Gold and Steel. The vintage Rolex Datejust Reference 1601 represents one of ...
Yellow Gold, Steel
Vintage 1979 Rolex Datejust 16013 Two-Tone Champagne Roman Dial Automatic 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Foundational Two-Tone Rolex The Datejust is the watch that defined the modern dress watch, and the reference 16013 is a cornerstone of its history. Produced from the late 1970s ...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 6917 26mm 18K Gold President Diamond Bezel Black Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Lady Datejust 6917 18K Yellow Gold President Diamond Bezel Watch with Original Dial and Hands Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust “President” ref. 6917, circa 1977, featur...
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
Rolex Datejust 36 Stainless Steel 16014 Silver Index Dial Circa 1979
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This watch has been professionally polished, serviced and is in excellent overall condition. There are absolutely no visible scratches or blemishes. Model features quick-set movement...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Datejust with Original Bracelet and Custom Made Dial from 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1972 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm X Diameter 36mm...
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust Ref 1603 Custom Red Diamond Dial, Dated 1977
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust /Reference 1603 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 43mm X Diameter 36mm CIRCA: 1977 MOVEMENT / CA...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 36mm Stainless Steel 16014 Silver Index Dial, Jubilee Circa 1979
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This watch has been professionally polished, serviced and is in excellent overall condition. There are absolutely no visible scratches or blemishes. Model features quick-set movement...
Stainless Steel
Rolex 16014 Datejust 36mm All original 18k WG SS 1970s Mens Automatic RA613S
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
World's icon, Men's 18k white gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref.16014 automatic, c.1977, all original Rolex, in excellent working condition. Verified authe...
White Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Datejust with Original Navy Blue Dial and Thunderbird Bezel 1979
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 16250 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1979 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm X Diameter 37mm...
Stainless Steel
Rare Vintage Rolex Datejust 31mm 6827 14K Gold Champagne Dial Ladies Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in good condition. Super rare model. Free polishing upon request. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. It s...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Ref 1601 Datejust Mens 1970s 36mm 18k SS Vintage Automatic RA790B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A timeless icon in black, Men's 18k yellow gold & stainless steel Rolex Oyster Ref. 1601 Datejust automatic black dial, c.1971, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by ...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Ref 1601 Datejust 36mm 18k SS Mens Vintage 1970s Automatic RA787
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A timeless classic, Men's 18k yellow gold & stainless steel Rolex Oyster Ref. 1601 Datejust automatic wideboy, c.1973, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
$6,640Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Ref 1601 Datejust 36mm 18k SS Mens 1970s Vintage Automatic RA790
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A world's icon, Men's 18k yellow gold & stainless steel Rolex Oyster Ref. 1601 Datejust automatic in black, c.1971, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master wat...
Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
$7,184Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Ref 1601 Datejust 36mm 18k SS 1970s Mens Vintage Automatic RA787B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless icon, Men's 18k gold & stainless steel Rolex 1601 Oyster Datejust automatic wideboy, c.1973, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorge...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex ref 17000B Oyster Quartz cal 5035 DateJust c1979 36mm Mens' Watch + Box
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This unique & special timepiece is proud to have ALL original parts, Rolex ref 17000B, serial number 5765XXX Oyster DateJust is dating back to circa 1979 - 47 years old, it’s in su...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 16013 36mm MOP Diamond Dial Diamond Bezel 18K Yellow Gold Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 16013 Serial: 590**** Year: 1979 Model: Rolex Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: 18K Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel Bezel: Custom Diamo...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 36mm Two Tone Champagne Linen Dial Jubilee 16013 Circa 1979
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This watch has been professionally polished, serviced and is in excellent overall condition. There are absolutely no visible scratches or blemishes. Model features quick-set movement...
Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Datejust Ref 16013 Mens 1970s 36mm 18k SS Vintage Automatic RA558C
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Versatile luxury, Men's 18k gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref.16013 automatic, c.1979, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watch...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 16014 18k White Gold SS 36mm Mens 1970s Vintage Automatic RA613B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic luxury, Men's 18k white gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref.16014 automatic, c.1977, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master w...
White Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex 18Kt Solid Gold Ladies Datejust with Gold Filled Clasp and Diamond Markers
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 6900 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1978 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm X Diameter 26mm ...
18k Gold
$6,336Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster 1601 Datejust 36mm 18k SS Mens 1970s Linen Dial Automatic RA768C
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A timeless icon, Rolex 1601 Oyster Datejust Linen dial automatic, c.1973, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Iconic Rolex linen dial, applied ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster 1601 Datejust 36mm 18k SS Linen Dial Mens 1970s Automatic RA768
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An iconic classic, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1601 Linen Dial Datejust automatic with18k gold bezel, c.1973, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchma...
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
Rolex Oyster 1601 Datejust 36mm 18k SS Linen Dial Mens 1970s Automatic RA768B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An icon, Rolex 1601 Oyster Datejust automatic Linen dial, c.1973, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Iconic Rolex linen dial, applied baton in...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Quickset Datejust with Original Box and Papers from 1978 or 1979
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 16030 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1978 / 79 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm X Diameter...
3 Carat Diamond Bezel Rolex Datejust Two Tone Jubilee Bracelet Ref. 16013
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Datejust 16013 set with over 3 carats in natural round cut diamonds. Diamonds are set all around the bezel and on the Roman Numeral hour markers. Complemented with a two-tone j...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex 16014 Datejust 36mm 18k White Gold SS Mens Automatic 1970s Vintage RA613
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Men's 18k white gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref.16014 automatic, c.1977, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master...
White Gold, Stainless Steel
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Datejust Ref 1601 36mm 18k SS Mens 1970s Vintage Automatic RA591B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An iconic classic, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1601 the Datejust in 18k yellow gold and stainless steel automatic, c.1970, in excellent working condition.
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
$6,160Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Datejust Ref 1601 36mm 18k SS Mens 1970s Automatic Vintage RA591
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
World icon, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1601 the Datejust in 18k yellow gold and stainless steel automatic, c.1970, in excellent working condition.
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
$6,816Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Datejust Ref 16013 Mens 36mm 18k SS 1970s Vintage Automatic RA615
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Men's 18k gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref.16013 automatic, c.1978, in excellent working condition, with original Rolex tag. Verified au...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Datejust Ref 16013 Mens 36mm 18k SS 1970s Vintage Automatic RA615
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless icon, Men's 18k gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref.16013 automatic, c.1978, in excellent working condition, with original Rolex tag. Verified authe...
18k Gold, 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.