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 Rolex Ref 3647 Very Rare Antique Manual Wind Watch
By Rolex
Located in Houston, TX
Extremely Rare 1930s Rolex Precision Model 3647 Manual Wind Square Watch This late 1930s Rolex manual wind square watch is a remarkable and rare find, showcasing the timeless crafts...
Stainless Steel
Antique c1915 Rolex W&D 9K 375 Rose Gold 28mm Hinged Round Case Ladies' Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
TO U.S.A BUYERS: DON’T SWEAT ABOUT 15% TRUMP’S TARIFF - WE COVER IT BY GIVING YOU 15% DISCOUNT! This sophisticated ladies’ timepiece is an antique Rolex watch from circa 1915, y...
Rose Gold
$7,200
H 1.11 in W 0.99 in
Antique Art Deco Rolex 9k Rose Gold Square 15j Mechanical Hand Wound Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Montclair, NJ
Watchmaker: Rolex Movement: Rolex - Mechanical - Hand Wound - 15 Jewels - Swiss Made Gross Weight: 23.3 Grams (Includes Strap) Case Material: Solid 9k Rose Gold Case Width: 25mm (w/o...
Rose Gold
Dreicer & Co. Art Deco Lady's Watch
By Dreicer & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Dreicer & Co. art deco lady's watch French cut onyx and black enamel, rounded dial in a tonneau case, single-cut diamonds of approximately 0.62...
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
Rolex 1930s Ladies Rose Gold and Steel Oyster Case Manual Wind Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930s Rolex Oyster Wrist Watch, 24 M.M. Rose Gold top with Steel back oyster Case and curved down Lugs. mechanical, manual wind movement, ori...
Rose Gold, Steel
Art Deco Waltham Watch Circa 1927
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in Wailea, HI
This exquisite vintage Waltham wristwatch is a quintessential example of Art Deco elegance, dating back to approximately 1927. Captured in a stunning tonneau-shaped case, this timepi...
14k Gold, Gold-filled
Rare Rolex Prince Jump Hour Doctor's Watch Steel 1491
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare vintage Rolex Prince reference 149, produced circa 1939, known as “Doctor’s Watch” from the late Art Deco period, characterised by its elon...
Stainless Steel
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
$6,600Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Rolex Oyster 6246 36mm Dial Small Seconds Manual Wind Watch Circa 1972
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Rolex Oyster ref. 6246, originally produced in the mid-1950s and factory serviced and recased by Rolex in 1972. The watch features a silver dial with applied hour markers, an...
Gold
Rolex 18kt. Rose Gold Art Deco Ladies Watch with Original Dial and Hardware 1940
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm X Width 16mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER...
Rolex 9ct. Solid Gold Art Deco Ladies Wristwatch ca 1920's, with Original Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Baguette Style METAL / MATERIAL: 9ct. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm x Width 11mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Caliber M DIAL / HANDS: Original Silver with Kiln Fired Enamel Printing / Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Cord Band / Regular Length Adjustable WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare watch was produced by the iconic house of Rolex sometime in the 1920's. The watch is in excellent original condition and still has its original blued steel hands. The dial, done in Sterling Silver is not printed, but is done in kiln fired enamel and is in original condition. It is extraordinary to find this nearly 100 year old watch...
Rolex 2 Tone Ladies Dress Watch
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 4575 METAL / MATERIAL: Two Tone Steel & Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm ...
Rima Gold Filled Art Deco Wrist Watch with a Rich Patinated Dial Circa 1940's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rima Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Rose Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm x Width 22mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Patinated with Baton Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This charming little watch by the private label house of Rima was produced in Switzerland in the 1940's. The watch is all original and keeps excellent time. It has a beautiful patinated dial, as rich looking as it gets. You can count on this watch to get you there on time all the time. The design of this watch is based on a style created by Louis Cartier In the early teens when he saw giant tortoises supporting enormous columns in a Greek Temple. He immediately realized that in would be an elegant shape for a watch. Hence, the Tortue Watch...
Rolex Steel and 14Kt. Gold Ladies Art Deco Cord Watch from 1945 / 46
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Two Tone METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel / 14Kt. Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1945 or 46 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm...
Rolex Two Tone Rose Gold and Stainless Steel Dress Watch, circa 1930's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Reference 3893 METAL / MATERIAL: Two Tone 14Kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm "Lu...
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
