$3,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.5 in W 1.5 in D 1.5 in
1947 Rolex Oyster Bubbleback “Elegante” Gold-Plated Wristwatch w California Dial
By Rolex
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This vintage 32mm Rolex Oyster “Elegante” wristwatch showcases timeless sophistication with its
Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 3372 Bubbleback Steel Rose Gold Wristwatch, Circa 1940
By Rolex
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Rare and gorgeous example of the Rolex Bubbleback Reference 3372 wristwatch in excellent condition
Steel, Stainless Steel, Rose Gold
Rolex perpetual 3372 Rose Gold SS Men Rare 1940s 32mm Bubbleback Automatic RA750
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare and historic Rolex Perpetual Ref.3372 with solid rose gold bezel, c.1947, unrestored dial, in
Gold, Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 6084 Mens 1950s 34mm Automatic Bubble Back RA715
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
watch, bracelet in very good condition. A vintage classic, Rolex Oyster Precision 6084 bubbleback
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 6084 Mens 1950s 34mm Automatic Bubble Back RA715B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
true collectable classic, Rolex Oyster Precision 6084 bubbleback automatic, time tested luxury, ready
Stainless Steel
ROLEX SS BUBBLEBACK CALIFORNIA DIAL “Oyster Perpetual, Chronom."
By Rolex
Located in New York City, NY
Up for sale is a ROLEX- REF. 2940 – BUBBLEBACK CALIFORNIA DIAL Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Chronometer California Dial
By Rolex
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
ROLEX REF. 3458 BUBBLE BACK.STAINLESS STEEL BEAUTIFULL PATINA Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Chronometer
Stainless Steel
Rolex Bubbleback Pink Gold and Black California Dial Ref 3131
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Rolex California Dial Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual, Officially Certified Chronometer", Ref. 3131. Made
18k Gold
Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref.6564 Automatic, c.1950s Swiss Vintage RA139
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
, aftermarket leather strap, with Rolex buckle. Classic icon, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6564 bubbleback
Mens Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6084 18k Solid Gold 34mm Automatic 1950s Swiss RA467
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic luxury, Men's 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref.6084 semi bubbleback automatic
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex 1950s Vintage Ref 1002 Steel Self winding Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
1560 Automatic, Self winding Movement. Bubbleback "California" style Dial with aged Luminous, Mercedes
Steel
Rolex Rose Gold Steel Bubbleback Chronometer California Dial Wristwatch Ref 3133
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Rolex Bubble Back Ref 3133 Viceroy Chronometer with California Dial in Stainless Steel and 14k deep
14k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, Steel
Rolex 1951 Steel Self Winding Wrist Watch with Cali Bubbleback Style Dial
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1951 Rolex Reference 6558 Wrist Watch, 36 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 piece Oyster case. Caliber
Steel
Mens Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 6084 18k Solid Gold 34mm Automatic 1950s RA467B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxurious classic, Men's 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref.6084 semi bubbleback automatic
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Vintage Precision Steel Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1958 Rolex Precision Reference 6430 Wrist Watch, 30 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece Oyster Case
Steel
Rolex Precision Vintage Steel Manual Wind Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1948 Rolex Precision Wrist watch, 32 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece Oyster case, original Crown
Steel
Rolex 1940's Vintage Ref 6552 Steel Self winding Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
1030 Automatic, Self winding Movement. Recently Refinished Bubbleback "California" style Dial with aged
Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 14K PG Bubbleback ref #3130 c.1946
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 14K PG Bubbleback ref #3130, 32mm diameter case with smooth bezel and screw
Sold
W 1.26 in Dm 1.26 in
Rolex Yellow Gold Bubbleback Oyster Perpetual Chronometer Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K Yellow Gold Bubbleback Wristwatch circa 1940s. 32mm diameter case with smooth bezel and
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 14K PG man's Oyster Perpetual bubbleback ref #3131 c.1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex 14K PG man's Oyster Perpetual bubbleback ref #3131 circa 1940's. 3 piece screw down 34mm
18k Gold
Rolex Rose Gilt Top and Steel Bubbleback Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Bubbleback wristwatch with rose gold top and stainless steel case back, Ref# 3933, circa
14k Gold
$5,360Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.38 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 1500 35mm 14k Gold SS Mens 1970s Automatic RA624B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Men's 14k and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1500 Date automatic, c.1974, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeou...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tank Watch with Original Dial Early 40's
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm x Wid...
Cartier Baignoire Mini 18K Yellow Gold Bangle Watch 17
By Cartier
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Sold out worldwide with a waitlist extending over a year, this petite timepiece is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Skilfully created in the house's Swiss atelier, it boasts 18-karat ...
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
Rolex Steel Early Speedking with Original Dial from 1941 or 1942
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Reference 3373 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 36mm X Diameter 30mm CIRCA / YEAR: 1941 / 1942...
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 Datejust with Custom Dial and Bezel circa, 1970's
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 36m...
Stainless Steel
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 President Brown Dial Diamond 18K Day Date Watch Ref 18038
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Handsome, hardly ever worn Gentlemen’s Rolex President Day Date watch, Ref 18038 dated late 1986.It is crafted in 18k yellow gold. Featuring All Original scratch resistant Sapphire C...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Waltham 14Kt Two Tone "Sapphire" Series Hand Engraved with Original Strap 1927
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Octagon METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Two Tone Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1927 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 34mm Length X 27mm Width...
Rolex Vintage Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 6593
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A yellow gold vintage Oyster Perpetual by Rolex from the 1950s. Features a champagne dial, complemented by a yellow gold fluted bezel. Fitted with plastic glass and a self-winding au...
Yellow Gold
Vintage Zenith 1940's Wrist Watch
By Zenith
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Founded 1865, Zenith Watch Co has been known for its precision timepieces. Enjoy this great mid 1940's model 3600584 Wrist Watch in pristine vintage condition. With a 31mm brushed s...
Steel
Mercedes Stainless Steel Post WWII Vintage Wrist Watch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
In mint condition, enjoy this post WWII Style Mercedes Winder 32mm Men's Wrist Watch. With a pristine linen face, the gold tone hands and matchstick indexes are sleek and easy to rea...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Vintage Benrus Military Style Wrist Watch with Leather Bund Strap
By Benrus
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Enjoy this neat post WWII Benrus Military BH-11 Style Steel Men's Wrist Watch. In case size 31.5mm, the dial has a combination of Arabic numerals and matchstick markers with a sweep ...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Lanco Stainless Steel Wrist Watch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Vintage with character, this Lanco Stainless Steel Wrist Watch is well preserved and was popular with the German Army during WWII. The timepiece features a satin gold-tone face with ...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Jules Jergensen Steel Art Deco Round Watch with Original Dial circa 1940's
By Jules Jurgensen
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Jules Jurgensen STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Mid Century METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Diameter 29mm MOVEMENT...
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.
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.