Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Factory Original Rare Charcoal Dial, 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1501
Stainless Steel
$5,368Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.38 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 35mm Mens Vintage Automatic 1970s RA604B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless iconic classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1501 Date automatic, c.1972, in excellent working
Stainless Steel
$5,360Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.38 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 35mm Mens Vintage Automatic 1970s RA604
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1501 Date automatic, c.1972, in excellent working
Stainless Steel
Unavailable
W 1.34 in
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1500 Stainless Steel Watch Gray Dial, circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref 1500 serial # 3.1 million circa 1972. Featuring a 34mm diameter
Stainless Steel
Rolex White Gold Oyster Perpetual Datejust Self Winding Wristwatch Ref 1601
By Rolex
Located in Westlake Village, CA
band, 4-72 Summary: brand, model, ref, serial #, year, size Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 1601
Stainless Steel, White Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Double Red Sea Dweller Wristwatch Ref 1665
By Rolex
Located in Westlake Village, CA
Oyster Perpetual Sea Dweller 1665 3066177 1972 40 mm.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Shell Top Oyster Perpetual Date Watch From 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Date / Ref. 1550 METAL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Gold Shell Series in New Condition, circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Date METAL / MATERIAL
Gold
ROLEX For Tiffany, Oyster Perpetual DateJust Men's Watch, C 1972
By Rolex
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very rare, collectible stainless steel, with white gold bezel Rolex for Tiffany, Oyster
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual with Rare Black Dial circa, 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1005 METAL
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Datejust Automatic Wristwatch, 1972
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1972 Rolex Reference 1603 Datejust Wrist Watch, 36 M.M. 3 piece Stainless Steel case with
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Blue Grey Dial Steel Automatic Watch, 1972
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 1002 Year: 1972 Serial number: 35xxxxx Reference: C03649 Case: 34mm
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Two Tone with Rare Vertical Grained Gold Dial from 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1005 METAL
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Thunderbird Bezel Watch, circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Thunderbird Bezel
Stainless Steel
Rolex Two-Tone Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref 1601 from 1972 with Original Papers
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Co STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Ref 1601 METAL
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Two-Tone Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref 1601 from 1972 with Original Papers
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Datejust / Reference 1601
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Wristwatch ref 1601 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust ref 1601 serial no 3.1 million circa 1972. 36mm diameter case with
14k Gold, Stainless Steel, White Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Wristwatch circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel Oyster Perpetual Date wristwatch, Ref. 1501, serial number 3.1, circa 1972
Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Reference 1002 with Blue Dial, 1972
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1972 Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 1002 Stainless Steel watch with Original Blue Dial with
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Airking Ref 5500, circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Airking ref 5500 stainless steel serial # 3.2 million circa 1972. 34mm
Stainless Steel
ROLEX Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Ref 1501 circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel Oyster Perpetual Date wristwatch, Ref 1501, serial 3.4 million, circa 1972
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch Ref 1002 circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch, Ref. 1002, serial number 3.1 million, circa 1972
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Linen Dial Wristwatch Ref 1500, circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref 1500 serial # 3.4 million circa 1972. Featuring 34mm diameter case
Stainless Steel
Rolex Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Automatic Wristwatch Ref 1503, circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref# 1503 serial # 3.0 million circa 1972. Featuring 34mm
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
W 0.99 in Dm 0.99 in
Rolex Lady's Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch Ref 6719 circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Lady's Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch ref 6719 serial # 3.3 million circa 1972
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 Oysterdate with Factory Original Dial with Gold Baton Markers 1970's
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 41mm X Diameter 3...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust with Custom Sage Green Dial 1960s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel with White Gold Bezel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Leng...
Rolex 1960s Oysterdate Precision 6694 Steel Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1966 Rolex Oysterdate Precision Reference 6694 Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 piece Oyster Case, 17 Jewel Caliber 1225 Manual wind movement, Original Black dial with r...
Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6634 34mm Gold Capped Mens 1950s Automatic Original RA673
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref.6634 "Golden Egg" gold-capped automatic, c.1959, all original, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker....
Stainless Steel, Gold Plate
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Silver Dial
By Rolex
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
BRAND: Rolex MODEL: Oyster Perpetual REFRENCE: 15200 SIZE: 34mm CASE: Stainless Steel DIAL: Grey BAND: Jubilee Stainless Steel MOVEMENT: Automatic WRTIST SIZE: Apx. 7.75 Very Good c...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Perpetual Classic Air King from 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 39mm X Diameter 35m...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual With Custom Sage Green Dial circa, 1980's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diam...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Yellow Gold Strap Model Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Rolex Wrist Watch, 33 M.M. 14K 2 piece case, 9 M.M. thick, 17 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind Nickle lever movement, 2 tone Silver Satin Pie pan dial with raised Gold marke...
14k Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date with Custom Orange Dial 1970s
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 43mm x...
Rolex Steel Datejust with Original Dial and Solid Oyster Bracelet Late 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 1601 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Late 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 44mm X Diamete...
Rolex Vintage 1966 Steel Air-king Automatic with Sunburst Dial
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1966 Rolex Air-King Reference 5500. 34 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece Oyster case. Caliber 1520 Automatic, Self winding movement, excellent Mint condition Silver Satin "Sunburst"...
Steel
Rolex Submariner Date 116610LN
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 40mm Submariner Date in steel by Rolex. Featuring a black dial with a unidirectional rotating bezel and a black 60-minute graduation bezel insert. Fitted with a scratch-resistant ...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual Very Rare Deepsea From 1954 / 55 Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6332 METAL / MATERIAL: Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1954 / 55 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Diamet...
Gold
$17,200Sale Price|20% Off
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
Rolex Stainless Steel Classic Oysterdate with Original Dial from 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...
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.