Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual with Rare Original Black Dial from 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ MATERIAL: Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER
Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual with Rare Original Black Dial from 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ MATERIAL: Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER
Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual Very Rare Deepsea From 1954 / 55 Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ MATERIAL: Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1954 / 55 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Diameter 33mm MOVEMENT
Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold "Shell" Air King with Flawless Original Dial 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT Rolex Gold Shell over Stainless
Yellow Gold, Steel
Rolex Rare Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual from 1952 Oversized Bubble Back Movement
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 / 54 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 34mm
Rolex Rose Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Rolex MPN: 1025 Model: Oyster Perpetual Case Material: Stainless Steel with 14k Rose Gold
14k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Gold Shell Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ MATERIAL: Steel w/ Solid Gold Shell Top DIMENSIONS: 39mm X 34mm CIRCA: 1985/86 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 27
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Gold Shell Series in New Condition, circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
: Gold Shell / Gold Filled / Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: 40mm X 34mm CIRCA: 1972 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 26
Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Shell Top Oyster Perpetual Date Watch From 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ MATERIAL: Steel w/ Solid Gold Shell Top DIMENSIONS: 39mm X 34mm CIRCA: 1972 / 73 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 27
Rolex Gold Shell stainless steel Oyster Perpetual Manual Wristwatch Ref 6634
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual Men's Watch 6634 - Manual winding. 14k gold shell case
Rolex Gold Shell Self Winding Wristwatch Ref 1025, 1960s
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1967 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 1024, 34 MM Gold Shell case with Stainless Steel Back
Gold-filled, Stainless Steel
Rolex Gold Shell Original Blue Dial Automatic Wristwatch, circa 1980
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ MATERIAL: Gold Shell CIRCA: 1980 / 1981 DIMENSIONS: 40mm X 34mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 26
Rolex Vintage Gold Shell Date Model Automatic on Gold Shell Oyster Bracelet
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1972 Rolex Reference 1550 Date Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. 2 piece Gold Shell Oyster case with Steel
Gold Plate
Rolex vintage 15505 Gold Shell Automatic Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1987 Rolex Wrist Watch, 34 M.M Gold Shell with Steel back 3 piece Oyster Case. Caliber 3035
Gold-filled
Rolex Date Men's Vintage 14k Gold Shell Watch, 1550
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Date Men's Vintage 14k Gold Shell Watch 1550 - Automatic winding, acrylic crystal. 14k yellow
14k Gold
Rolex Vintage Gold Shell Ref 6334 Automatic Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950s Rolex Reference 6334 Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. 2 piece Gold Shell over Stainless steel with
Gold-filled
Rolex Vintage Ref 1024 Gold Shell with Company Logo Dial
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1984 Rolex Reference 1024 Wrist watch, 34 m.m. Gold Shell with Steel back Oyster case
Gold-filled
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1980 Ref 1014 Gold Shell Automatic Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 1014 Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. Yellow Gold Shell case with
Gold-filled, Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Shell Diamond Beveled Bezel Automatic Wristwatch Ref 1025
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Rolex reference 1025, 34 MM heavy Gold Shell With steel back case, Oyster perpetual
Gold Plate
Rolex Date Men's Vintage 14 Karat Gold Shell Watch 1550
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Date Men's Vintage 14k Gold Shell Watch 1550 - Automatic winding, acrylic crystal. 14k yellow
Rolex 1984 Date Gold Shell Ref 15505 Quick Set Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1984 Rolex "Date" Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. 3 piece Gold Shell with steel back, oyster water
Gold-filled
Rolex yellow Gold Shell stainless steel Self Winding Wristwatch Ref 6567
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1959 Rolex Reference 6567, 34 MM Water Proof, Gold Shell Case with stainless Steel Back and a
Gold-filled, Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Shell Custom Dial Oyster Date Automatic Wristwatch Ref 15505
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1982 Rolex Reference 15505 Oyster perpetual date Wrist watch 34 MM Gold Shell case with
Gold Plate
Vintage Rolex Air King 5520 Gold Shell Wristwatch Box Papers 1 Owner
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1982 Rolex Air King Reference 5520 Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. Gold Shell 2 Piece case with
Gold-filled
Rolex Air King Reference 5520 1960s Gold Capped Shell Champagne Dial 34mm Watch.
By Rolex
Located in Toronto, CA
Dial Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Automatic Case Material: Gold Capped Shell
Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Automatic Wristwatch Ref 1024
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1953 Rolex Reference 1024, 34 MM Gold Shell with stainless steel back waterproof case
Gold-filled
Rolex Yellow Gold Caliber 3035 Automatic Wristwatch Ref 15505
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1985 Rolex Reference 15505 14K yellow Gold Shell Wrist Watch, 34 MM water proof case with
Gold Plate
Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Rare Gray Dial Automatic Wristwatch Ref 1024
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Rolex 1966 Gold Shell, steel back reference 1024 33 MM Case on a heavy Gold Shell Oyster Bracelet
Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual Date ref #15505 circa 1985
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex gold shell Oyster Perpetual Date ref #15505 34mm diameter case with smooth bezel serial
Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual Date Automatic Wristwatch circa 1979
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref #1500 14K yellow gold shell circa 1979. Gorgeous on a man or woman
Rolex Datejust 79173NR White Shell Dial, Y Series, Ladies, Pre-Owned
By Rolex
Located in Holtsville, NY
. This stunning timepiece, a blend of stainless steel and yellow gold, features a captivating white shell
Yellow Gold
Rolex Datejust 16203NG 10P Diamond, White Shell Dial, Y-Series, Men's Used Watch
By Rolex
Located in Holtsville, NY
gold accents, shell dial that changes appearance with light The Rolex Datejust 16203NG is not merely a
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Datejust Self Winding Wristwatch, circa 1964
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
steel man’s model with 14K YG fluted bezel, gold shell Rolex crown, acrylic crystal, and beautifully
14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k White Gold Men's Automatic Watch 5227G
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k White Gold Men's Automatic Watch 5227G - Automatic winding with date at 3 o clock. Calatrava. 18K White gold case with smooth bezel (38 mm) Exhibition ba...
$11,920Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.42 in
Rolex Oyster Ref 6605 Datejust 18k Gold 36mm Mens 1960s Date Automatic RA701
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless treasure, rare 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref.6605 Datejust automatic, c.1960, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous...
18k Gold
Rolex 9ct. Solid Gold Art Deco Ladies Wristwatch ca 1920's, with Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Baguette Style METAL / MATERIAL: 9ct. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm x Width 11mm M...
$4,960Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.38 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1500 35mm Mens Automatic 1970s Vintage RA607B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1500 Men's Date automatic, c.1971, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed silver di...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville 14k Yellow Gold Automatic Men's Watch LL6590-1
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville is crafted in solid 14k yellow gold and features an elegant champagne dial with applied gold markers and classic dauphine hands. Powered by an a...
14k Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid Gold Dress Watch circa 1980's with Original Bracelet
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 4217-10 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 23mm X Widt...
Gold
Cartier Paris Rivoli 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Lugs & Deployment Buckle Watch
By Cartier
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Cartier Paris Rivoli ladies watch. 24MM 18K yellow gold case size with factory lugs diamond. Silver dial with blue hands and black Roman numeral hour marker. 18K yellow gold case bac...
18k Gold
$21,500
H 1.18 in W 1.22 in Dm 9 in L 9 in
CARTIER Paris 1970 Automatic Large Ceinture Wristwatch In 18 Kt Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
An automatique Ceinture large wrist-watch designed by Cartier. This is the rare large model of the Ceinture automatique wristwatch, created in Paris France by the jewelry house of C...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Hermes Birkin Limited Edition 35 Diamond Bordeaux Porosus Crocodile Bag
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an exceptional limited edition Hermes Birkin 35 Diamond Porosus Crocodile bag featured in stunning jewel-toned Bordeaux. This rare masterpiece features 18K White Go...
Jaeger LeCoultre Rose Gold Reverso Wrist Watch
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Reference 250.2.86 Wrist Watch, 39 x 23 M.M. 18k Rose Gold case, Quartz movement, Black dial with raised Gold markers, newer Hirsch Black Crocodil...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex 14Kt Solid Gold Ladies Art Deco Watch circa 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 9168 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 26mm "Lug Tip to Lug ...
14k Gold
Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Rare Factory Original Silvered Dial and Gilt Markers
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oysterdate / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 3...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel O.P Date With Custom Made M.O.P Dial and Diamond Bezel 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
$7,750
H 0.19 in W 1.26 in
Ultra-Thin Classic Gold Audemars-Piguet Mens Watch with Brown Crocodile Strap
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This handsome, vintage 18K yellow gold Audemars-Piguet wristwatch is positively elegant. Crafted during the mid-20th Century, this iteration is among the very thinnest produced durin...
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Air King With Custom Made Pumpkin Orange Dial circa 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 40mm X Diameter ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex 18Kt Solid Gold Ladies Art Deco Watch circa 1946
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 9488 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1946 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 26mm "Lug Tip to Lug ...
18k Gold
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.