Rolex Ref 4444 1948 32mm Shock Resisting Oyster Royal Watch 31r31s
By Rolex
Located in Dix hills, NY
Measurements: Length: 2.8" Width: 1.2" Height: 2.8" Circumference: 7" OVERALL VERY GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION ( 7.25/10 or B+ ) THE STAINLESS STEEL SCREW BACK OYSTER CASE IS IN GOOD...
Rolex 31mm Gold Plated Oyster Royal Shock Resisting Watch 854013
By Rolex
Located in Dix hills, NY
GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION (7/10 or B) Fits Wrists up to 7.25" Band was Replaced at Bagriculture Strap and case have wear throughout Case Material : Gold Plated Band Material : Leathe...
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Royal Shock Resisting Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Stainless Steel Oyster Royal Shock Resisting Vintage Gents Wristwatch, silver dial with applied hour markers, a fixed stainless steel bezel, a black leather strap with a stainless ...
Stainless Steel
1952 Rolex Precision Model 6044 “Royal” Oyster
By Rolex
Located in Raleigh, NC
It has a minimal patina, luminous Arabic numerals sit inside a outer minute track with the Rolex logo and 'Rolex, Oyster Royal' at 12 o'clock, and 'Shock Resisting, Swiss Made' at 6...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Date Precision Stainless Steel Men's Wristwatch Ref 6066
By Rolex
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century all original, 1951 Rolex stainless steel oyster date precision wristwatch. Red date wheel. Original ruby steel riveted oyster band. Unpolished, minor scratches to case an...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage Rolex Oyster Cupronickel Ultra Prima Handwind Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex’s early Oyster design is presented here with distinctive vintage character, featuring a cupronickel case and a shaped profile that reflects the brand’s formative era of durable...
Rolex Stainless Steel Early Oysterdate with Rare Super Oyster Crown, circa 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Super Oysterdate / Reference 6094 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 40mm X Diameter 33mm CIRCA: 1951 MOVEM...
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
Rolex Stainless Steel Bubble Back Rare Roman Dial Perpetual Wind Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Bubble Back METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 40mm X Diameter 32mm CIRCA: 1940's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perp...
Rolex Steel Rare Super Oyster Model with Original Dial from the Mid 1950's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Reference 6202 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1954 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm x Diameter 34mm MOV...
Vintage Rolex Watch. ROLEX Oyster Royal 2280 SS 30mm 1930s
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Rolex Oyster Royal 2280 Stainless Steel Case. Manual Windup Movement. Runs well. Circa 1939 Beautiful Watch. Generic Stainless Steel Bracelet (not original Rolex). 30mm round c...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch from 1952
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6106 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 20 Jewels / Caliber 645 DIAL / HANDS: Original Matte...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Royal ref 2280 Art-Deco c1936 S/Steel Manual 15 Jewels 30mm Mens' Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This fine & rare Art-Deco Rolex Royal reference 2280 S/Steel wristwatch, dating back to circa 1936, featuring: 30mm S/Steel Case, 35mm including the original signed screw-down cr...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking with Original Dial and Hands from 1947
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Reference 4220 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1947 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 30mm X Diameter 35m...
Rolex Stainless Steel Rare Early Air King with Original Patinated Dial Early 60s
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm x Diame...
$5,040Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.34 in
Rolex Oysterdate Precision Ref 6694 1960s 34mm Mens Vintage Manual Wind RA670B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Iconic classic, Men's Rolex Oysterdate Precision ref. 6694 manual wind, c.1967, unrestored, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous, untou...
Stainless Steel
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.34 in
Rolex Ref 6022 Oyster Precision Mens Vintage 1950s 34mm Manual Wind RA781
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless classic, Men's Rolex Oyster Precision ref.6022 manual hand-wind dress watch, c.1952, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Role...
Stainless Steel
$5,032Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.34 in
Rolex Oysterdate Precision Ref 6694 34mm 1960s Mens Vintage Manual Wind RA670C
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic icon, Rolex ref.6694 Mens Oysterdate Precision manual wind, c.1967, unrestored, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous, untouched...
Stainless Steel
$4,960Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.34 in
Rolex Oysterdate Precision Ref 6694 34mm 1960s Mens Vintage Manual Wind RA774B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage classic, Rolex Oysterdate Precision ref. 6694 manual wind, c.1969, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous, unrestored Rolex signe...
Stainless Steel
$4,480Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.34 in
Rolex Oyster Ref 6480 All Original Mens 34mm 1950s Manual Wind Vintage RA416S
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage classic, Men's Rolex ref.6480 Oyster manual hand-wind dress watch, c.1958, all original, unrefurbished, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchma...
Stainless 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
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.
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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.