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.
1937 Art Deco Rolex Ladies 14K White Gold Diamond Bracelet Watch 0.20 CTW 8 inch
By Rolex
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique 1937 Art Deco Rolex Ladies 14K White Gold Diamond Bracelet Watch 0.20 CTW 8" Original Box An elegant antique Rolex ladies’ wristwatch dating to approximately 1937, beautiful...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 1930s Rolex Ladies 14K Gold Bracelet Watch, Manual Wind, 7.5 Inches, Pe
By Rolex
Located in Santa Monica, CA
An elegant and distinctive Art Deco ladies' Rolex wristwatch dating to the 1930s, featuring a solid 14K gold case, beautifully designed geometric gold bracelet, and original Rolex-...
14k Gold
1940's Rolex Ladies Vintage Cocktail Watch - Platinum & Diamonds
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Platinum
$14,000Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.56 in D 0.24 in L 1.19 in
Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Rolex Ladies’ Mechanical Bracelet Watch circa 1925
By Rolex
Located in Santa Monica, CA
An elegant Art Deco ladies’ mechanical bracelet watch dating to approximately 1925, featuring a Rolex-signed dial, Rolex mechanical movement, and Rolex crown. The platinum watch cas...
Diamond, Platinum
1966 Rolex Ladies Dress Watch, Silver Dial - 14K White Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
White Gold
18K White Gold & Diamond Art-Deco 1930's Swiss Ladies Dress Watch by Lavina
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This ladies' dress watch is from Art-Deco period, yet it's in beautiful vintage condition & in excellent working order. It features: 18K White Gold 15mm x 22mm Rectangle Case, d...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Lady Datejust 179173 26mm Mother of Pearl MOP Diamond Dial 18k Gold Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 179173 Serial: Z18**** Year: 2006-2007 Model: Rolex Ladies Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: 18k Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel Jubilee Bezel: 18...
Diamond, Pearl, Stainless Steel
Genuine Rolex Watch. Diamond Bezel 1972 Ladies Manual ROLEX 2611 Precision
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Stainless Steel Rolex Precision Ladies mechanical Movement Wristwatch. Circa 1972. 1400 Caliber Rolex Movement Ref. 2611. Beautiful Watch. Manual Windup mechanism. Excellent Con...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Antique 2.16 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cocktail Watch, circa 1925
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 2.16 carats diamond and 9k white gold, platinum set watch; part of our diverse ladies cocktail watch and diamond jewelry collections. This stunning antique diamond and platinum watch has a circular form. The wristwatch has a watch face displaying bold black Arabic numerals within a circular, minute marked chapter ring. This impressive ladies diamond watch is fitted with blued steel hands and has a plain crown/winder. The platinum bezel is encircled with twenty-five eight cut diamonds and accented with shaped lugs, each accented with a further four diamonds.. The anterior surface of the articulated bracelet style strap consists of two curvilinear links and conjoined with rectangular connectors. Each pierced decorated link is ornamented with further eight-cut diamonds. The diamond links conjoin with eight gate-style articulated links, securing to the reverse with an adjustable bar style clasp; this allows the watch to be worn at different lengths. This stunning antique manual wind wrist watch is fitted with a Swiss made 15 jewel movement. The interior of the watch case displays the hallmark for platinum (platine), in addition to the Swiss domestic platinum mark (chamois*, c - La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and the reverse of the clasp bears the maker's mark (C&F), the gold mark (9, 375), the Birmingham Assay Office mark (anchor) and the date letter for 1952 (C). This ladies cocktail watch is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card. NOTE: The watch casing was assayed in La Chaux-de-Fonds and bears the chamois mark (1914-1934), this in addition to the style of the piece denotes the date as circa 1925, with a later added gate style strap and clasp. Images do not always reflect the true color and brilliance of gemstones and diamonds. The video however provides a truer representation of the actual color and showcases each stone of this example of antique diamond jewelry. Condition This ladies antique cocktail watch...
Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Rolex Ladies Datejust 79163 26mm Factory Silver Diamond Dial 18k Gold Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 79163 Serial: P22**** Year: 2000 Model: Rolex Ladies Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: 18k Yellow Gold & Stainless Steel Bezel: 18k Yellow G...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
