Rolex Date Ref 15000 Wristwatch. Oyster Dial, White Baton Dial. Year c.1982
View Similar Items
Rolex Date Ref 15000 Wristwatch. Oyster Dial, White Baton Dial. Year c.1982
About the Item
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.
- Rolex Datejust Wristwatch 36 Ref 116200, Silver Baton Dial, Year 2017.By RolexLocated in Canterbury, GBOur classic Rolex Datejust reference 116200 features a 36mm stainless steel case with polished bezel, silver baton dial and Oyster brac...Category
2010s Wrist Watches
- Rolex Lady Datejust Wristwatch ref 69160, Pink Baton Arabic Dial. Yr 1999By RolexLocated in Canterbury, GBOur rare and attractive Rolex Lady Datejust reference 69160 features a stainless steel 26mm case with polished bezel and pink baton/ Arabic dial, and stainless steel Oyster bracelet....Category
1990s Wrist Watches
- Rolex Lady Datejust Wristwatch Ref 69173. Diamond Anniversary Dial. Year 1990..By RolexLocated in Canterbury, GBOur Rolex Lady Datejust features the classic combination of 18k yellow gold and stainless steel 26mm case (fluted bezel) with stainless steel and 18k yellow gold jubilee bracelet, an...Category
1990s Wrist Watches
- Rolex GMT Master Ref 16700 Wristwatch, Coeval Tritium Dial. B&Ps', Year 1997By RolexLocated in Canterbury, GBOur vintage Rolex GMT Master, reference 16700, features a 40mm stainless steel case and stainless steel Oyster Bracelet with folding clasp and flip lock. Notably this GMT has origina...Category
1990s Wrist Watches
- Rolex GMT Master Ref 16700 Wristwatch, 40mm Case, Swiss Only Dial, Year 1999.By RolexLocated in Canterbury, GBOur classic and neo vintage transitional Rolex GMT Master, reference 16700, with 40mm stainless steel case and stainless steel Oyster bracelet with flip lock clasp, is presented in e...Category
1990s Wrist Watches
Sold$14,979Free Shipping - Omega Seamaster Wristwatch Ref 2311.21.00. White Dial, Quartz, Year Circa 1998.By OmegaLocated in Canterbury, GBOur rare and very desirable Omega Seamaster reference 2311.21.00 features a stainless steel and 18k yellow gold 36mm case and stainless steel and 18k yellow gold bracelet with white ...Category
1990s Wrist Watches
- Mens Rolex Oyster Date Ref 15000 18k Diamond Bezel Automatic 1980s OM102By RolexLocated in Beverly Hills, CADazzling luxury, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref.15000 automatic, c.1981 with diamond bezel. Verified authentic by a master...Category
Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Rolex Oyster Date Ref. 15200 White Dial Roman Numerals in Oyster Stainless SteelBy RolexLocated in Miami, FLRolex Oyster Perpetual Date wristwatch in stainless steel. Features an Oyster bracelet, fold-over clasp (deployment release), quickset, and sapphire crystal. Screw-down crown, and 27...Category
Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Rolex Oyster Date Precision Stainless Steel Men's Wristwatch Ref 6066By RolexLocated in Stamford, CTMid-Century all original, 1951 Rolex stainless steel oyster date precision wristwatch. Red date wheel. Original ruby steel riveted oyster band. Unpolished, ...Category
Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
- 1982 Rolex President Day-Date Wristwatch Made in Yellow Gold, Ref. 18038By RolexLocated in New York, NYVintage Rolex watch made in 1982. Reference 18038. 36mm yellow gold case set with a fluted bezel and sapphire crystal. Blue sunburst dial with...Category
Vintage 1980s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Rolex Day-Date 18K White Gold Wristwatch Ref. 18239By RolexLocated in New York, NYPre-owned Rolex Day-Date 36mm automatic watch. 18k white gold case with a fluted bezel, a silver dial, baton indices and hour hands. Day aperture...Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, White Gold
- Rolex Perpetual Date with White Dial and Oyster BandBy RolexLocated in Miami, FLRolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatch with smooth bezel and even-numbered hour markers. An extravagant, yet sleek watch that echoes a sta...Category
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Rolex: 13+ Expert Tips
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.
Rolex Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know about Choosing the Right Watch
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.