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 Oyster Perpetual Date Ovettone 6305/1 14K Gold Roulette Date
By Rolex
Located in PARIS, FR
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ovettone – 14K Yellow Gold – 1954 - Orig. Box. A superb Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ovettone in 14K yellow gold, dating from 1954 and preserved in outsta...
14k Gold
Rolex Oyster Precision 34mm Two-Tone Rose Gold Steel Rare Dial 1978 Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Precision Oyster Date 34mm on two tone rose gold and stainless steel on Oyster bracelet. The dial features a rare brown and cream white pattern, complemented by a seldom seen mix of arabic and roman numeral hour markers. The combination of rose gold and stainless steel offers an elegant yet rugged look. Fixed textured bezel and automatic mechanical movement. Everything about this watch is unique and rare. The perfect watch for those in search of a Rolex that stands out from the traditional models and no one else has. Details: Item Type: Rolex Precision Watch...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1969 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1002 Two-Tone Mocha Dial Auto 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Foundational Rolex With Uncommon Warmth The reference 1002 is a cornerstone of the Rolex catalog, representing the purest expression of the Oyster Perpetual. It’s a watch built on...
14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Royal Vintage Rose Gold and Steel Manual Wind Mid Size Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940 Rolex Reference 4302 Oyster Royal Wrist Watch, 29 M.M. 3 Piece Stainless steel case with Oyster Water Resistant back and a Rose Gold bezel, 17 jewel mechanical, manual win...
Rose Gold, Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 1550 34mm Champagne Dial 14k Gold Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 1550 Model: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Case Material: 14k Gold Plated Stainless Steel Band: Custom Leather Strap Bezel: 14k Gold Plated Stainless Ste...
14k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Two Tone with Factory Original Dial From 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6105 METAL / MATERIAL: Two Tone Stainless Steel & Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Leng...
Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1974 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 18K YG 1503 Auto Champagne 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Foundation In Solid Gold The Oyster Perpetual Date is a foundational reference, representing a pure expression of Rolex's core technologies. For decades, it served as the elegan...
Gold
Vintage 1978 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 1501 14K YG Champagne Dial Auto 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Classic In Solid Gold The reference 1501 is a pure expression of the classic Rolex design language. This example elevates the form by rendering the entire case and bezel in solid ...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1981 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 18K Gold Steel Watch
By Rolex
Located in Palm Desert, CA
The watch features a classic champagne tone dial with applied baton hour markers, date window at 3 o'clock with cyclops magnification, and a fluted 18K yellow gold bezel. Finished wi...
18k Gold, Steel
Rolex 14Kt. Oyster Perpetual Rare "Bubble Back" with Factory Original Dial 1948
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual "Bubble Back" / Reference 5011 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1948 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Lengt...
14k Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Vintage Gents 18 Karat Gold Silver Dial 5048
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k Rose Gold Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback Vintage Gents Wristwatch, original silver dial with applied hour markers, a fixed 18k rose gold b...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 100th Anniversary 41mm Unworn 2026 134303
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 reference 134303, released in 2026 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Rolex Oyster case, originally introduced in 1926 as the world's first water...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Rare Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 6285
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare Oyster Perpetual wristwatch in yellow gold by Rolex. Featuring a silver dial with a distinctive 'Officially' in red writing and a yellow gold engine turned bezel. Fitted with ...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 Rose Gold 228235
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning unworn Day-Date, crafted in 18k rose gold by Rolex. Featuring a sun dust stripe motif dial with applied hour markers. Complementing the dial is a fixed rose gold fluted be...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Vintage Precision Rose Gold 9522
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 36mm vintage Rolex "Flying Saucer" Precision in rose gold. Features a rose champagne dial with a small seconds display. The piece is fitted with plastic glass, a manual wind moveme...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rare 1950s Rolex Rose Gold Chronometer Champagne Dial Precision Vintage 4134
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 37mm 18k Rose Gold Vintage Precision Gents Wristwatch, a rare original chronometer champagne dial with applied 18k rose gold index batons and roman...
Rose Gold, 18k Gold
