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Rolex Oyster Speedking

Vintage Rolex Watch. ROLEX Oyster SPEEDKING 4302 SS and 9k Bezel. 29mm
Vintage Rolex Watch. ROLEX Oyster SPEEDKING 4302 SS and 9k Bezel. 29mm

Vintage Rolex Watch. ROLEX Oyster SPEEDKING 4302 SS and 9k Bezel. 29mm

By Rolex

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

Rolex Oyster SpeedKing 4302 9k Yellow Gold Bezel and Stainless Steel Case.

Category

Vintage 1940s Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

9k Gold, Stainless Steel

1950's Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision in Red Leather Strap
1950's Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision in Red Leather Strap

1950's Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision in Red Leather Strap

By Rolex

Located in Miami, FL

Vintage Rolex Oyster Precision stainless steel watch circa 1950. Manual wind movement caliber 10 1/2 is in full working condition. Case 30mm with original crystal and original crown....

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Recent Sales

Vintage Rolex Speedking Reference 6220 Stainless Steel Watch, 1954
Vintage Rolex Speedking Reference 6220 Stainless Steel Watch, 1954

Vintage Rolex Speedking Reference 6220 Stainless Steel Watch, 1954

By Rolex

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

1954 Vintage Rolex Oyster Speedking Ref. 6220 Stainless Steel watch with Original Silver Waffle Textured with Applied Steel Elongate Arrow and Pointed Bar Markers.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

1947 Vintage Rolex Speedking Stainless Steel with Rare Pink Gold Arabic Dial!
1947 Vintage Rolex Speedking Stainless Steel with Rare Pink Gold Arabic Dial!

1947 Vintage Rolex Speedking Stainless Steel with Rare Pink Gold Arabic Dial!

By Rolex

Located in Warrington, PA

Many believed this is the reason the Rolex 'Speedking' was born. Featured here is a vintage Rolex Oyster Speedking circa 1947 with rare dial with pink gold Arabic applied numbers ...

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Oyster Speedking Vintage Yellow Gold 6021
Rolex Oyster Speedking Vintage Yellow Gold 6021

Rolex Oyster Speedking Vintage Yellow Gold 6021

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A mens mid-size Oyster Speedking Precision wristwatch in yellow gold by Rolex.

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold

Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6430 30mm Hand Wind 1960s Vintage RA466
Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6430 30mm Hand Wind 1960s Vintage RA466

Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6430 30mm Hand Wind 1960s Vintage RA466

By Rolex

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Timeless classic, all-stainless steel midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision ref.6430 hand-wind, c.1966, all original.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Ref 6431 30mm Hand Wind 1970s All Original RA510
Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Ref 6431 30mm Hand Wind 1970s All Original RA510

Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Ref 6431 30mm Hand Wind 1970s All Original RA510

By Rolex

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Timeless classic, all-stainless steel midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision ref.6431 hand-wind, c.1975, all original, in excellent working condition.

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6430 30mm Hand Wind 1960s Swiss RA466B
Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6430 30mm Hand Wind 1960s Swiss RA466B

Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6430 30mm Hand Wind 1960s Swiss RA466B

By Rolex

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Vintage classic, Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision ref.6430 youth size hand-wind, c.1966, in excellent working condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking 6431 30mm Hand Wind 1970s Vintage Swiss RA510B
Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking 6431 30mm Hand Wind 1970s Vintage Swiss RA510B

Midsize Rolex Oyster Speedking 6431 30mm Hand Wind 1970s Vintage Swiss RA510B

By Rolex

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Charming vintage classic, Rolex midsize Oyster Precision ref.6431 Speedking hand-wind, c.1975, in excellent working condition.

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Precision Watch
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Precision Watch

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Precision Watch

By Rolex

Located in Chicago, IL

CURATOR'S NOTES Bling, bling. Gorgeous Rolex vintage Oyster Speedking Precision watch for him or her.

Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Vintage Oyster Speedking Precision Gold 6020
Rolex Vintage Oyster Speedking Precision Gold 6020

Rolex Vintage Oyster Speedking Precision Gold 6020

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A 31mm vintage Oyster Speedking Precision by Rolex, crafted from 10k yellow gold.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 10k Gold

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Precision Wristwatch Ref 4220, 1946

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Precision Wristwatch Ref 4220, 1946

By Rolex

Located in Firenze, IT

Circular signed silvered dial with alternate Arabic numerals and baton markers, centre seconds hand and outer scale 0-60. Fine, water-resistant, center seconds, stainless steel mid-...

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Manual Wristwatch, circa 1958
Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Manual Wristwatch, circa 1958

Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Manual Wristwatch, circa 1958

By Rolex

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Speedking / Ref. 6421 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: 36mm X 30mm CIRCA: 1958 / 59 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: M...

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Mid-Century Stainless Steel Rolex Oyster Speedking, Circa 1954
Mid-Century Stainless Steel Rolex Oyster Speedking, Circa 1954

Mid-Century Stainless Steel Rolex Oyster Speedking, Circa 1954

By Rolex

Located in Towson, MD

One stainless steel Rolex Oyster Speedking model #6420 Serial # 54633 Circa 1954.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6418 Goldplated Watch 50's 31mm Watch
Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6418 Goldplated Watch 50's 31mm Watch

Rolex Oyster Speedking Precision 6418 Goldplated Watch 50's 31mm Watch

By Rolex

Located in Toronto, CA

Tritium lumes still react to bright light. Rolex crown logo and name, Oyster Perpetual , Rolex crown Logo is signed on the crown.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Rolex Oyster Speedking Manual Red Depth Honeycomb Dial 6420, 1955's
Rolex Oyster Speedking Manual Red Depth Honeycomb Dial 6420, 1955's

Rolex Oyster Speedking Manual Red Depth Honeycomb Dial 6420, 1955's

By Rolex

Located in Central & Western District, HK

Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 6420 Year: 1955 Serial number: 72xxx Reference: OT1868 Introducing a captivating 30mm Rolex Oyster featuring a unique white honeycomb dial Ref:6420, enh...

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Rolex Oyster Speedking 6418 Waffle Dial Gold Top 31mm Precision 50's Watch
Rolex Oyster Speedking 6418 Waffle Dial Gold Top 31mm Precision 50's Watch

Rolex Oyster Speedking 6418 Waffle Dial Gold Top 31mm Precision 50's Watch

By Rolex

Located in Toronto, CA

Brand: Rolex Model: Oyster Speedking Precision Reference Number : 6418 Features : Waffle Dial - Screw down Crown - Gold Top Bezel Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: M...

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel, Gold

Rolex Oyster Speedking 6418 Waffle Dial Gold Top 31mm Precision 50's Watch
Rolex Oyster Speedking 6418 Waffle Dial Gold Top 31mm Precision 50's Watch

Rolex Oyster Speedking 6418 Waffle Dial Gold Top 31mm Precision 50's Watch

By Rolex

Located in Toronto, CA

Brand : Rolex Model: Oyster Perpetual Reference Number : 1025 Features : Screw down Crown - Date Indicator - Rare Triangle Bezel Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Au...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, Stainless Steel

Vintage Rolex Oyster Precision Speedking 6430 Watch
Vintage Rolex Oyster Precision Speedking 6430 Watch

Vintage Rolex Oyster Precision Speedking 6430 Watch

By Rolex

Located in Toronto, CA

Brand: Rolex Model: Oyster Precision Speedking Reference Number: 6430 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Manual winding Case Material: Stainless steel Measurements ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Red Dial Oyster Watch, circa 1950s
Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Red Dial Oyster Watch, circa 1950s

Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Red Dial Oyster Watch, circa 1950s

By Rolex

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Oyster METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: 35mm X 30mm CIRCA: 1950's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 17 Jewels ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Red Dial Oyster Watch, circa 1950s
Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Red Dial Oyster Watch, circa 1950s

Rolex Stainless Steel Speedking Red Dial Oyster Watch, circa 1950s

By Rolex

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Speedking / Oyster METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: 35mm X 30mm CIRCA: 1950's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 17 Jewels ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Custom Lavender Dial circa 1960's
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Custom Lavender Dial circa 1960's

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Custom Lavender Dial circa 1960's

By Rolex

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Speedking / Reference 6430 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm x Diam...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

ROLEX Stainless Steel Speedking Wristwatch circa 1940s
ROLEX Stainless Steel Speedking Wristwatch circa 1940s

ROLEX Stainless Steel Speedking Wristwatch circa 1940s

By Rolex

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Signed gilt Swiss Made and Rolex Oyster Speedking (print faded, but all lettering fully intact). 17-jewel manual-wind movement with subsidiary seconds.

Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Wristwatch circa 1943
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Wristwatch circa 1943

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Wristwatch circa 1943

By Rolex

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Rolex stainless steel Oyster Speedking wristwatch, serial number 211,XXX, circa 1943. 31mm boy's-size case with acrylic crystal and signed screw-down crown.

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Original Dial manual wristwatch, c1942
Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Original Dial manual wristwatch, c1942

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Speedking Original Dial manual wristwatch, c1942

By Rolex

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Rolex Speedking boy’s size 31mm Oyster case circa 1942 with pleasing original matte silvered dial with original patina’d luminous indexes and matching luminous pencil style hands.

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

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Vintage 1965 Omega Automatic Watch
Vintage 1965 Omega Automatic Watch

Vintage 1965 Omega Automatic Watch

By Omega

Located in London, GB

A classic vintage Omega automatic wristwatch from 1965, showcasing timeless mid-20th-century Swiss craftsmanship. This elegant timepiece combines reliable automatic movement with cle...

Category

Vintage 1960s Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex 18Kt Solid Gold Ladies Dress Watch circa 1950 with Original Dial
Rolex 18Kt Solid Gold Ladies Dress Watch circa 1950 with Original Dial

Rolex 18Kt Solid Gold Ladies Dress Watch circa 1950 with Original Dial

By Rolex

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold / Set with Vintage Rose Cut Stones .75Cts. CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZ...

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Blue Diamond Dial 1960's
Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Blue Diamond Dial 1960's

Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Blue Diamond Dial 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...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Cartier De Cartier Ronde 18001 Silver Sterling 33 mm New Belt Mens Watch
Cartier De Cartier Ronde 18001 Silver Sterling 33 mm New Belt Mens Watch

Cartier De Cartier Ronde 18001 Silver Sterling 33 mm New Belt Mens Watch

By Cartier

Located in Toronto, CA

Brand: Cartier Model: Ronde Reference Number: 18001 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Quartz Case Material: Sterling Silver / Gold Measurements : Case width: 33 mm....

Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Silver

Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Rare Factory Original Silvered Dial and Gilt Markers
Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Rare Factory Original Silvered Dial and Gilt Markers

Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Rare Factory Original Silvered Dial and Gilt Markers

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 42mm X Diameter 3...

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Piaget 18Kt. Solid Gold Automatic Micro Rotor and Original Strap and Buckle 1970
Piaget 18Kt. Solid Gold Automatic Micro Rotor and Original Strap and Buckle 1970

Piaget 18Kt. Solid Gold Automatic Micro Rotor and Original Strap and Buckle 1970

By Piaget

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Piaget Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Automatic / Reference 12447 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Width 3...

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Genuine Rolex Watch. Ladies ROLEX 2649 Precision Cocktail Watch.
Genuine Rolex Watch. Ladies ROLEX 2649 Precision Cocktail Watch.

Genuine Rolex Watch. Ladies ROLEX 2649 Precision Cocktail Watch.

By Rolex

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

Stainless Steel Rolex Precision Ladies mechanical Movement Wristwatch. Circa 1970s.  1400 Caliber Rolex Movement Ref. 2649. Beautiful Watch. Manual Windup mechanism.  Leather Band...

Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Stainless Steel

Vintage Cartier Roadster Automatic 2510 Watch
Vintage Cartier Roadster Automatic 2510 Watch

Vintage Cartier Roadster Automatic 2510 Watch

By Cartier

Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse

Vintage Cartier rectangular stainless steel case with silver dial, stainless steel bezel, and date window at 3 o'clock Condition: Worn - Excellent (minor signs of wear). Stainless s...

Category

Early 2000s French Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 31mm 277200
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 31mm 277200

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 31mm 277200

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

An Oyster Perpetual 31 in Oystersteel from Rolex. Features a black dial with applied hour markers and a smooth fixed bezel. The Oyster bracelet comes with the folding Oysterclasp. Fi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Blue Dial circa, 1970's
Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Blue Dial circa, 1970's

Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Blue Dial circa, 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 42mm X Diameter 3...

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Yellow Dial circa, 1960's
Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Yellow Dial circa, 1960's

Rolex Stainless Steel Oysterdate with Custom Yellow Dial circa, 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 43mm X Diameter 3...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Longines Stainless Steel Three Star Flagship Automatic Watch
Vintage Longines Stainless Steel Three Star Flagship Automatic Watch

Vintage Longines Stainless Steel Three Star Flagship Automatic Watch

By Longines

Located in New York, NY

The Vintage Longines Three Star Flagship Automatic Watch exemplifies the refined elegance and technical reliability that defined Longines during the golden era of Swiss watchmaking. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

1966 Omega (Seamaster) Rare Cal. 560 Vintage Mens 10K Gold Filled & Stainless St
1966 Omega (Seamaster) Rare Cal. 560 Vintage Mens 10K Gold Filled & Stainless St

1966 Omega (Seamaster) Rare Cal. 560 Vintage Mens 10K Gold Filled & Stainless St

By Omega

Located in Suwanee, GA

NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, Stainless Steel

Small Vintage Women's Watch Signed Kody
Small Vintage Women's Watch Signed Kody

Small Vintage Women's Watch Signed Kody

$1,240Sale Price|20% Off

H 7.88 in W 0.91 in

Small Vintage Women's Watch Signed Kody

Located in Vannes, FR

This vintage ladies' watch in 18-carat yellow gold by Kody is a true collector's item dating back to the 1960s. Equipped with a Swiss movement, it combines precision and timeless ele...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Artisan Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

1989 Omega Polaris Seamaster Mens Divers Watch, Quick Setting Date - SS & Gold
1989 Omega Polaris Seamaster Mens Divers Watch, Quick Setting Date - SS & Gold

1989 Omega Polaris Seamaster Mens Divers Watch, Quick Setting Date - SS & Gold

By Omega

Located in Suwanee, GA

NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Stainless Steel

Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Baume & Mercier with Arabic Numbers Gold Dial on a Strap
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Baume & Mercier with Arabic Numbers Gold Dial on a Strap

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 ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

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Rolex Oyster Speedking For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the rolex oyster speedking you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Stainless Steel and Gold. Finding a rolex oyster speedking for sale for men should be easy, but there are 6 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as women, too.

How Much is a Rolex Oyster Speedking?

The price for a rolex oyster speedking starts at $2,200 and tops out at $4,984 with these watches, on average, selling for $4,200.

Rolex for sale on 1stDibs

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.

Finding the Right Wrist-watches for You

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.