1940's Rolex WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens Pocket Watch
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
. 1940's ROLEX WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens Pocket Watch - Rare Outer Case Beautiful All
Vintage 1940s Swiss Pocket Watches
Other
1940's Rolex WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens Pocket Watch
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
. 1940's ROLEX WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens Pocket Watch - Rare Outer Case Beautiful All
Other
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date United Arab Emirates Military Watch, 1969
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Oyster Date United Arab Emirates Military emblem Watch c.1969 Composition: Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Rolex WW2 Military Pocket Watch, Rare Circa 1942, Superb Collectable
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
late military request for these pocket watches, during WW2 led to a rush for precision Rolex movements
Rolex Sterling Silver Military Campain W.W. 1 Watch from 1915
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military / Campaign Series METAL / MATERIAL
1941 ROLEX OYSTER NEPTUNE Vintage "Boys" Size WWII Military Style Watch
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
with a 5.0 star rating. 1941 ROLEX OYSTER NEPTUNE Vintage Mens Midsize "Boys" WWII Military Style
14k Gold, Stainless Steel
ROLEX ref. #6429 Rare US Military Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
, water proof model was sold exclusively at US military bases and was one of the least expensive Rolex
18k Gold
1969 Rolex OysterDate Stainless Steel Special UAE Military Model 6694
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex; durability and — as the dial itself even states — precision. And yet, despite its trademark
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage 1944 Steel Automatic with Bubble Back Style Military Dial
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1944 Rolex Reference 6565 Wrist watch, 34 M.M. Stainless Steel 2 Piece Oyster case with
Steel
Rolex Submariner 'no date' Ref 14060M, by Pro-Hunter 'Military Submariner
By Rolex
Located in Canterbury, England
Our Rolex Submariner 'no date' reference 14060M is a limited edition of 100 pieces customised by
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage 1016 Explorer Gilt Underline Dial 1963 With Military Inscription
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Vintage 1016 Explorer Gilt Underline Dial 1963 With Military Inscription - Automatic winding
Sold
H 1.74 in W 1.38 in
1914 ROLEX Rare Vintage Mens World War I Era Military Trench - Sterling Silver
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
Watch - Sterling Silver Rare & Early Rolex Wristwatch - Military Trench Watch Style - 1 Year Warranty
Sterling Silver
Tudor Stainless Steel "Frogman" Military Submariner Wristwatch Ref 94010
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
. Important watches with a military history have long been of interest to vintage watch enthusiasts. This is a
Stainless Steel
ROLEX "UDT 11" "Meters First" ref #5513 Military Submariner
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
This watch was made for the Underwater Demolition Team of the US navy, men who served as precursors
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Military Style Pocket Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Pocket Watch / Open Faced METAL / MATERIAL
Rolex Sterling Silver Military Campaign Style Watch with Enamel Dial from 1915
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL
Rolex 1960 Automatic Wrist Watch with Rare West Point Military Academy Dial
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960 Rolex Wrist Watch for West Point Military Academy, 35 M.M 14k Gold Filled 2 piece case
Gold-filled
Rolex Sterling Silver Military Campaign Style Watch circa 1915 with Enamel Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military / Campaign METAL / MATERIAL
Gold-filled
1940's Rolex WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens 52mm Pocket Watch - Nick
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
other online sites. 1940's ROLEX WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens 52mm Pocket Watch - Nickel
Other
1940's Rolex WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens 50mm Pocket Watch Nickel
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
. 1940's ROLEX WWII British Military Vintage Antique Mens 50mm Pocket Watch - Nickel Please All-Original
Other
Rolex Rose Gold Early Military Style Manual Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign / Military METAL / MATERIAL: 9Ct
Rolex Oyster Rayleigh WWII Military Wristwatch, 1940's
By Rolex
Located in Braintree, GB
Rolex Oyster Rayleigh WWII Military Wristwatch. Made in 1940s. The wristwatch was designed to
Stainless Steel
Rolex British Military Broad Arrow Porcelain Dial Pocket Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Rolex British Military pocket watch in stainless steel with porcelain dial with luminescence Arabic
Rolex Stainless Steel Military Submariner Wristwatch Ref 5513 circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This is an excellent example of the highly sought-after Rolex Military Submariner, Ref. 5513
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel British Military Submariner "Mil Sub" Ref 5513 circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This is an excellent example of the highly sought-after Rolex Submariner, Ref. 5513, produced for
Stainless Steel
Rolex Open Face British Military Pocket Watch with Black Dial circa 1920s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex open face British military 16 size pocket watch, circa 1920s. Black dial with gilt shadow
Vintage 9k ROLEX Watch. Rolex 9k YG 12324 Dress Watch 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage Rolex Mens Watch 9k Yellow Gold Case ref.12324 Windup Movement. Runs well. Circa 1946 Beautiful Watch. New Genuine Gucci Leather band. 30mm round Case
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tudor Rolex Rose Logo Radial Arabic Numerals c1960's 30mm Manual Mens' Watch
By Tudor
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This Tudor Rolex Vintage Gents’ Watch is dating from 1960’s, it is in good working order & in overall good original condition An ivory-beige coloured Dial is adorned with brand’s ic...
Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Yellow Gold Presentation Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930s Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Presentation Pocket Watch, 47 M.M 18k Yellow Gold 3 piece case with inside Gold dust cover, 18 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind Nickle L...
18k Gold, Yellow 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.
Records show that, in Europe, by the 16th century, it was high time for portable clock devices. Right now, perhaps you’re shopping for your own. If so, find a vast range of fashionable and functional antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs.
While wall-mounted time tellers and grandfather clocks were much more convenient than the sundials of ancient history, watches were becoming crucial for an increasingly connected society whose members learned that the latest advancements in technology meant they could carry devices that kept time to within a minute a day. Tragically, the first pocket watches — albeit an improvement on the accessories that preceded them, which dangled from a chain worn around the neck — didn’t help much as far as accuracy or portability. Focused on style over substance, the upper class frequently carried lavish pieces that ran hours behind.
Eventually, watches migrated from owners’ pockets to their wrists. 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.
Indeed, although exceedingly practical, the watches of today are far from bland. Bulgari’s iconic 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 watches. You’ll always know what time it is because you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from your new accessory.
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.
When shopping for a watch, 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 exactly what you’re looking for in an unparalleled collection of antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs that includes Cartier watches, Rolex watches, Patek Philippe watches and more — we promise it will be worth your time.
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.