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 Steel Oyster Date Gilt Dial w/ Leather Strap Ref. 6694
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 6694 Year: 1965 Serial number: 12XXXXX Reference: C0_ Case: 34mm diameter without crown; show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; inner case b...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Rolex Submariner Glossy Gilt Explorer Dial 5513 Steel Automatic Watch, 1964
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 5513 Year: 1964 Serial number: 11xxxxx Reference: C03610 Many have seen Rolex signature design the 3,6,9 known to be the e...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Steel Oyster Precision Silver Dial Manual Wind w/ Leather Strap Ref. 6424
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 6424 Year: 1964 Serial Number: 10XXXXX Reference: OT3160 Case: 36mm diameter without crown; show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; inner cas...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Two-Tone Submariner Gold Dial with Sapphire & Diamond Indexes Ref. 16613
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Rolex Model: 16613 Year: 1996 Serial number: T2xxxxx Reference: OT2888 Case: Show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; inner case back stamped 16610 Dial: In Good ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Tropical Brown Glossy Gilt Dial 5512 Steel Automatic Watch 1960
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 5512 Year: 1960 Serial number: 55xxxx Reference: C03729; C03603 Case: Show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; inner case back stamped 5512 III.60; the bottom part of the serial engraving has been scratched off by the bracelet but can still eye out by the loupe Dial: Super Smooth Glossy Gilt Tropical Dial where the lumes are still intact and have turned into creamy color along with matching hands; there are some hairline (hard to capture on photo) and discoloration on the dial (specially right side of 6 o’clock) please view detail photos; the crystal is a bit scratched which might have reflected on the dial Bracelet: Rolex 7206 Rivet Bracelet...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner Small Crown Gilt Black Dial 6205 Steel Automatic Watch 1954
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 6205 Year: 1954 Serial number: 21xxx Reference: OT1504 Model 6204 as the first small crown submariner produced in 1953, guarantee depth rate 100 meters. ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1982 Rolex Day-Date 18038 18K Yellow Gold Champagne Linen Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Gold Standard With A Twist The Rolex Day-Date is an institution. For decades, the 36mm solid gold watch has been the definitive statement of success. The reference 18038, introd...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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
Vintage 1978 Rolex Date 1503 14K Yellow Gold Champagne Dial Automatic 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Datejust you may not have heard of before The reference 1503 occupies a unique space in the Rolex archive that many collectors overlook. While the 18K gold Day-Date and Datejus...
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960 Rolex Air-King 5500 Gold Plated Matte White Dial Auto 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
An Uncommon Early Execution The Air-King 5500 is a foundational reference, representing the purest expression of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. While steel models had a long production...
Gold Plate
Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Early Datejust Perpetual Wind Watch, 1953
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Datejust / Reference 6105 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 44mm X Diameter 36mm CIRC...
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Very Rare Day-Date 18 Karat Yellow Gold Silver Omani Dial Bark Finish
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Very Rare 36 mm 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Vintage Gents Wristwatch, silver dial with applied hour markers, day at 12 0'clock, date at 3 0'clock, Omani Crest at 6 0'...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
