Wind Up Rolex

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.

Bracelets are one of the oldest forms of adornment, with a stone bracelet found in the Altai Mountains of Siberia believed to be linked to the extinct Denisovans, relatives of the Neanderthals. With the accessory enduring in popularity through the ages, there is now a range of styles, with hundreds of thousands of stunning antique and vintage bracelets available to explore. Among this vast selection are fashionable retro bracelets.

What’s the difference between retro and vintage? Generally, the answer is time. “Retro” frequently refers to items from the recent past. Vintage pieces can be several decades old but are not old enough to be considered antiques.

Retro bracelets can feature the bold candy colors of the 1960s, the precious-metal glam of the 1980s or the contemporary luxury of the 1990s. Diamond retro bracelets, and diamond bracelets generally, are often trustworthy investments, as diamonds tend to hold their value and appreciate over time. They’re also imbued with a classical elegance that makes any wrist glow.

Some of the gorgeous bracelets and retro bangles on 1stDibs originate from designers and locales that are off the beaten path, making them standout pieces in any jewelry box. Browse the wide catalogue of diamond, gold and antique retro bracelets and other jewelry today.