Rolex Ref 4444 1948 32mm Shock Resisting Oyster Royal Watch 31r31s
By Rolex
Located in Dix hills, NY
A NICE ORIGINAL Men's 1948 ROLEX OYSTER ROYAL Signs of Wear: Exterior: Minor Scratches, Minor Rubbing Edges: Minor Scratching Band: Minor Scratches, Very Minor Rubbing Hardware: Min...
Vintage Rolex Oyster Royal Quadrant Dial 6246
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 32mm Rolex Oyster Royal crafted in stainless steel.
Stainless Steel
Omega Choreograph Vintage 18k gold wrist watch cal.33.3 1950
By Omega
Located in Berlin, BE
Handaufzugs omega uhr in 18k gelbgold mit lederband und orginaler omega dornschließe cal.33,3 plexiglas uhr weisst leichte gebrauchspuren
18k Gold
Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Factory Original Dark Blue Sunburst Dial, 1970s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Date / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter ...
Stainless Steel
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
Rolex Rare 1942 Bubble Back Ladies Steel Automatic Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1942 Rolex Ladies Reference 3869 Bubble Back Wrist Watch, 24 M.M. Stainless Steel 2 Piece Oyster case, original and unpolished, original Oyster Crown. Automatic, self winding ...
Steel
Cartier Riviera Paris Vintage Yellow Gold Ladies Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Cartier Riviera Paris Wrist Watch, 23 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 Piece case, Sapphire crown, 17 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind movement, White dial with Black Roman numerals. ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Vintage Stepped Case Mechanical 18k Gold Plate Wrist watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Cartier Mid size Triple Stepped case Wrist Watch, 28 x 28 M.M. 18k Gold Electroplate 2 piece case, original and Excellent, Mint condition Chocolate brown dial with Gold R...
Gold Plate
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date chocolate dial 34mm
By Rolex
Located in Berlin, BE
Behold the astonishingly beautiful Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, a timepiece that exudes unparalleled elegance and sophistication. With the reference number (15210), this horological ...
Steel
Boucheron Diamond Platinum Necklace And Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
A truly magnificent 1950's Boucheron diamond necklace. Designed as a stylised, flexible ribbon set with graduated and tapered baguette & step-cut diamonds, suspending an articulated ...
White Diamond, Platinum
Rolex Rare Vintage Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 1035
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A striking mens yellow gold Oyster Perpetual by Rolex. Featuring a rare champagne dial with applied hour markers and a textured yellow gold bezel. Equipped with a stunningly rare yel...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold I.W.C. Watch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Westport, CT
An iconic Art Deco IWC (International Watch Company) and Tiffany & Co. 18K yellow gold manual wind wristwatch, circa 1920s. The watch features an 18K yellow gold case with a whit...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,997Sale Price|33% Off
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Baume & Mercier with Arabic Numbers Gold Dial on a Strap
By Baume & Mercier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 27mm yellow gold Ladies Baume & Mercier wristwatch. Featuring a stunning a gold dial with Arabic numbers. The watch is fitted with a sapphire glass, movement and a Baume & Mercier ...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 2449 Yellow Gold Manual wind Vintage Wrist Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950-1955 Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2449 Wrist Watch, 35 M.M. diameter x 9 M.M. thick 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, 18 Jewel Caliber 12-120 PS Mechanical, manual wind...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
IWC 18K Rose Gold Vintage c1950's Manual 17 Jewels Hooded Lugs 21mm Ladies Watch
By IWC
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
TO U.S.A BUYERS: DON’T SWEAT ABOUT 15% TRUMP’S TARIFF - WE COVER IT BY GIVING YOU 15% DISCOUNT! This sophisticated ladies’ timepiece by 18K Rosy Yellow Gold IWC (International Wa...
Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1983 Stainless Steel Datejust 16014 Factory Gray Mens Watch 36MM 8 Inch
By Rolex
Located in Santa Monica, CA
1983 Rolex Stainless Steel Datejust 16014 Gray Dial Mens Watch 36MM 8 inch wrist all factory 8.2 million serial number circa 1983, ref 16014 Working condition, working on time Sup...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$14,842
H 0.35 in Dm 1.34 in
Vacheron Constantin Vintage Watch 1956 Fancy Lugs and Swan Regulation, Pink Gold
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vacheron Constantin Vintage 1956 with Fancy Lugs and Swan Regulation, Pink Gold A very fine and elegant Vacheron Constantin to fit in every High Valued collection. Functions: hours...
18k Gold, 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.
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.
Throughout the season, timepieces are clues to the characters' character.
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.