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.
H 1.42 in W 0.48 in Dm 1.42 in
Rolex Day-Date President 36 18k Yellow Gold Green Dial Luxury Watch 118138
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Comes with the original box and papers. 3-year in-house warranty.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Diamond Day Date with Green Pearl Dial Roman Numerals Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Diamond Day Date with Green Pearl Dial Roman Numerals 36mm Watch 18038
Diamond, Yellow Gold
H 1.58 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in Dm 0.48 in L 1.58 in
Rolex Day-Date 36 President Yellow Gold Green Ombre Dial 128238
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with original box and papers. 5-year Rolex warranty.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date President 118238 Champagne Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Rolex Day-Date President 118238 Mens Watch. 36mm 18K yellow gold case with 18K yellow gold fluted bezel. Champagne dial with gold hands and gold index hour markers. Minute markers ar...
18k Gold
1988 Rolex Day Date Rubellite Diamond Dial Ref. 18038
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
Rubellite Rolex hasn’t left a stone unturned when it comes to the selection of materials they used for their dials. One family of dials is the stone dials which categorically inclu...
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1994 Rolex Day Date British Racing Green Stella Diamond Dial Ref. 18248
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
Racing Green In the 1970s Rolex introduced the Stella dial, a lacquered and highly glossy dial which came in a rainbow of colors. These were reserved for Day Date and some ladies references and we believe they have been produced up to the mid 1990s. In the 1970s the world wasn't ready for these vibrant, loud and bold colors but for sure we are today. Stella dials come in a wide range of colors including Oxblood, Blue, Green, Turquoise, Peach, Seafoam, Red, Orange, Lilac and Yellow. From the late 1980s up to the mid 1990s there was a new color added to the Stella dials, the dark green, we call it the British Racing Green, we assume that was tha last generation of Stella dials. The watch offered here is a 1994 Rolex Day Date...
18k Gold
H 1.42 in W 0.48 in Dm 1.42 in
Rolex Day-Date 36 18K Yellow Gold Green Hombre Diamond Dial Watch 128238
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Box and papers. Brand: Rolex Model: Day-Date 36 Model Number: 128238 Department: Unisex Adult Style: Luxury Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzer...
Yellow Gold
1989 Rolex Day Date Pavee Dial With Sapphires Ref. 18388
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
Diamonds & Sapphires - Here's a very glamorous Day Date 18388 in yellow gold. With factory diamond setting on the bezel as well as on the lugs. The watch features a beautiful Pavee d...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Men's Rolex President - Day-Date Watch 18238 Champagne Dial
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Men's Rolex President - Day-Date Watch 18238 - Automatic winding, 31 jewels, Quickset day/date, sapphire crystal. President. 18k yellow gold case with fluted bezel ( 36 mm). Champagn...
Rolex Day-Date 18206 Platinum Blue Dial Mens Watch
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck, NY
Rolex Day-Date 18206 Mens Watch. 36mm platinum case. Platinum smooth bezel. Blue Wave dial with silver-tone hands and Arabic numeral hour marker. Minute markers on the outer dial. Da...
Rolex Day-Date Albilad Dial 18038
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rolex Day-Date 36mm crafted in yellow gold by Rolex. Featuring a champagne dial with a distinctive logo of the Albilad Fire Fighting Systems company from Saudi Arabia. Complementing the dial is a yellow gold fluted bezel and a screw-down crown. Fitted with a sapphire glass, a self-winding automatic movement and a Rolex black leather...
Yellow Gold
Rolex NOS Day-Date Diamond Dial 18038
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A yellow gold Day-Date by Rolex. Featuring a champagne dial set with 8 round brilliant cut diamonds as well as 2 baguette cut diamond hour markers and a fixed yellow gold fluted beze...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date NOS Diamond Dial 18038
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A yellow gold NOS Day-Date by Rolex. Featuring a champagne dial set with 8 round brilliant cut diamond hour markers, 2 baguette cut diamond hour markers and a fixed yellow gold flute...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Rare Rolex NOS Day-Date Green Stella Dial Diamond Set 18048
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare NOS yellow gold Day-Date by Rolex from 1980. Featuring a stunning green Stella dial with diamond set hour markers and a fixed yellow gold fluted...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Rare Day-Date NOS Omani Dial 1803
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare NOS Day-Date crafted in 18k yellow gold by Rolex. Featuring a silver dial with applied hour markers, an Omani crest representing Oman's national symbol at 6 o'clock and a fixe...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date II Diamond & Ruby Dial 218238
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A yellow gold 41mm Day-Date II by Rolex. Featuring a champagne dial set with 8 baguette cut diamonds and 2 baguette cut rubies. The fluted bezel, president bracelet and concealed Crownclasp are signature characteristics of a Day-Date. Fitted with a sapphire crystal and self-winding automatic movement. This piece is in excellent condition, still with it's Rolex factory service...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
