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.
Rare Rolex Day-Date Oyster Quartz Pyramid Egyptian 19028 Original Land Dweller
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
This rare and stunning timepiece has only been seen physically by a seldom few, this luxurious Rolex Egyptian Oyster Quartz Day-Date wristwatch comes as a complete collectors set wit...
18k Gold
Rolex Day Date Oysterquartz 19018 36mm Champagne Dial 18k Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 19018 Serial: 579**** Year: 1979 Model: Rolex Oysterquartz Day Date Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Band: 18k Yellow Gold Bezel: 18k Yellow Gold...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date Oysterquartz 19018 36mm Champagne Dial 18K Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 19018 Serial: 630**** Year: 1979 Model: Vintage Rolex Day Date Oysterquartz Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Band: 18k Yellow Gold Bezel: 18k Yel...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Rolex President Quartz Day-Date Factory Diamond Dial 18k Gold
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Rolex Day Date Original Diamond Dial 18k Solid Gold Mint Condition 1982 with box and papers. This Rolex watch is a true collectible to a Rolex lover...
Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Gold 34mm Bark Finish Watch in 18K Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
ROLEX 1950'S VINTAGE GOLD WATCH *Good condition with Rolex box, no papers. -Brand: Rolex -Reference: 1503 -Year: 1954 -Wrist Size: 7" -Material: 18...
18k Gold, Gold
Rolex Oyster Ref 6901 18k Solid Gold Lady Datejust 26mm Automatic 1970s RA630
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxurious elegance, a rare luxurious classic from Rolex, 18k solid gold Lady Datejust automatic with diamond set bezel, c.1978, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by ...
Gold, 18k Gold
Mens Rolex Oyster Datejust 1601 14k Gold Automatic Diamond Bezel 1960s RA412
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A stunning classic, Men's solid 14k gold Rolex 1601 Oyster Perpetual Datejust automatic with diamond dial and bezel, c.1968, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master watchmaker. Gorgeous Rolex signed black dial, gilt minute and hour hands, sweeping central second hand, date display at the 3 position, luxurious aftermarket diamond set hour markers, hands and dial in excellent, vintage condition, very minor show of age if any. Acrylic crystal. Stunning diamond set in 14k solid gold bezel, 14k solid gold case measures 36mm wide, in excellent condition. 26-jeweled Rolex cal.1570 COSC automatic movement, cleaned and serviced, in excellent running condition. Fitted on new, aftermarket leather strap and buckle. A timeless classic, Men's 14k solid gold Rolex Datejust...
14k Gold
Rolex Oyster 16013 Datejust 36mm 18k SS Mens Diamond Dial Automatic 1980s RA549
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless icon, Men's 18k gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual 16013 Datejust diamond dial automatic, c.1986, in excellent working condition. Verified authentic by a master...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Day Date President 18248 Bark Champagne Original Diamond Dial 18K Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 18248 Serial: L229*** Year: 1989 Model: Rolex Day Date President Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold Band: 18K Yellow Gold Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold Dial: Original Diamond ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Day-Date 18K Yellow Gold Silver Dial 1802
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k yellow gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date vintage wristwatch. Features a silver dial with applied hour markers, a date aperture, and a day display. Complementing the dial is a fix...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Rolex Ladies Extremely Rare Gold Tiger Eye Dial Bark President Watch 6927
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Ladies Extremely Rare Gold Tiger Eye Dial Bark President Watch 6927 - Automatic winding, 29 jewels, Quickset, sapphire crystal. Ladies President. 18k yellow gold with bark beze...
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 18k Yellow Gold Unisex Vintage Watch 6567
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 18k Yellow Gold Unisex Vintage Watch 6567 - Automatic winding with butterfly rotor. Oyster Perpetual. 18k yellow gold cas...
Rolex President Day-Date Men's 18k Gold Watch 18038
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex President Day-Date Men's 18k Gold Watch 18038 - Automatic winding; quick-set; sapphire crystal. President - Day-Date. 18k yellow gold case with fluted bezel ( 36 mm) Miller Hig...
Rolex President Day-Date 18k Yellow Gold Bark Finish Men's Watch 18078
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex President Day-Date 18k Yellow Gold Bark Finish Men's Watch 18078 - Automatic winding with day and date. President Day-Date. 18k yellow gold case with bark finished bezel (36mm ...
Rolex Midsize Datejust 18k Yellow Gold Watch 68278
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Midsize Datejust 18k Yellow Gold Watch 68278 - Automatic winding with date. Midsize President. 18k yellow gold case with Fluted bezel (31mm diameter). Black stick dial. 18k yel...
Rolex Datejust Men's 2-Tone Steel & Gold Watch 126203
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Datejust Men's 2-Tone Steel & Gold Watch 126203 - Automatic winding, Quickset, Sapphire Crystal. Datejust. Stainless steel and 18k yellow gold ( 36 mm ). Factory Black diamond ...
