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 Datejust 41 126301 Rhodium Motif Dial 18K Rose Gold Steel Box Paper 2022
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 126301 Year: 2022 Model: Rolex Datejust 41 Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: 18K Rose Gold & Stainless Steel Bezel: 18K Rose Gold Smooth Beze...
$24,200
H 1.62 in W 0.48 in Dm 1.62 in
Rolex Datejust 41 Steel 18K Rose Gold Chocolate Diamond Dial Mens Watch 126301
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Box and papers included. 🏷️ General Information Brand: Rolex Model Name: Datejust Model Number: 126301 Style: Luxury Type: Wristwatch Depart...
Rose Gold
Rolex Datejust 41 Steel 18K Rose Gold Wimbledon Roman Dial Mens Watch 126301
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with the original box and papers. Brand Information: Brand: Rolex Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Watch Type: Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Style: Dres...
Steel
$19,548
H 1.11 in W 0.46 in Dm 1.11 in
New Rolex Datejust 28mm 18K Rose Gold Steel Chocolate Dial Ladies Watch 279171
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Brand new 2024 card. Box and papers are included. General Information: Brand: Rolex Type: Wristwatch Department: Women Model Number: 279171 Model: Rolex Datejust 279171 Style: Luxur...
Steel
Rolex Datejust 41 Steel 18K Rose Gold Chocolate Diamond Dial Mens Watch 126331
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned 2020 Card and white serial Tag. Rolex Datejust 41 18K Rose Gold Steel Chocolate Diamond Dial Men's Watch 126331. This Timepiece is Powered by Mechanical (Automatic) Movement And Features: Stainless Steel Case with a Two-Tone Jubilee Bracelet, Fixed Fluted 18k Rose Gold Bezel, Chocolate with Luminous Rose Gold-Tone Hands and Diamond Hour Markers, Date Display Set At the 3 O'clock. Original Box and Papers are Included. Covered by 1-year Chronostore Warranty. Brand Rolex Type Wristwatch Department Men Model Number 126331 Country/Region of Manufacture Switzerland Style Dress/Formal, Luxury Model Rolex Datejust 126331...
Rolex Vintage Datejust Steel & 14k Rose Gold Grey Slate Dial 1601
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage Rolex Datejust reference 1601 in stainless steel and 14k rose gold. Featuring a superb grey slate dial with a date display and a 14k rose gold fixed fluted bezel. Fitted ...
Rose Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel, 14k Gold
$12,869 / item
Dm 1.42 in
Rolex Datejust Turn-o-graph 116261 Two Tone Stainless Steen and Rose Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph 116261 Two Tone Stainless Steen and Rose Gold Watch Black Dial Diamond Bezel 36mm. Rolex Turnograph Datejust Steel 18K Rose Gold Watch 116261. Officially...
Diamond, Gold, Stainless Steel
$35,300
H 1.62 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.62 in
Rolex Datejust 18k Rose Gold Steel Sundust Dial Automatic Jubilee Watch 126331
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. The original Box and papers are included.
Rose Gold, Steel
Rolex Datejust 16234 36mm Factory Salmon Diamond Dial Stainless Steel 18k Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 16234 Serial: P83**** Year: 2000 Model: Rolex Datejust Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: 18k White Gold Fluted D...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 36mm Black Sunbeam Dial 116231
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 36mm Datejust in stainless steel and rose gold by Rolex. Featuring a black sunbeam dial with Roman numerals and a fluted rose gold bezel. The watch is presented on a Jubilee bracel...
Rose Gold, Stainless Steel, 18k Gold
Rolex Datejust 41mm Chocolate Dial Oyster Two-Tone Steel Rose Gold Watch 126301
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
This Datejust 41 in Oystersteel and Everose gold features a chocolate dial and a Jubilee bracelet. The sunray finish creates delicate light reflections on many dials in the Oyster Pe...
Rose Gold, Steel
Rolex Datejust 41mm Chocolate Index Dial Two-Tone Rose Gold Steel Watch 126331
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
This Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 in Oystersteel and Everose gold features a chocolate dial and a Jubilee bracelet. The Rolex fluted bezel is a mark of distinction. Originally, the f...
Steel, Stainless Steel, Rose Gold
Rolex Datejust 36mm Chocolate Anniversary Steel Rose Gold Diamond Watch 126231
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
Rolex Datejust Chocolate Anniversary Steel Rose Gold Diamond Mens Watch 126231. Officially certified chronometer, automatic self-winding movement. Stainless steel case 36.0 mm in dia...
Diamond, Rose Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 41mm Chocolate Dial 18K Everose Oystersteel Men's Watch 126301
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
This Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 in Oystersteel and Everose gold features a chocolate dial and an Oyster bracelet. The sunray finish creates delicate light reflections on many dials...
Gold, Rose Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Datejust 41 Sundust Pink Diamond Dial Rose Gold Smooth Bezel Watch 126301
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
This Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 in Oystersteel and Everose gold features a Sundust, diamond-set dial and an Oyster bracelet. This dial features diamonds in 18ct gold settings. The ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Datejust 41mm Sundust Dial Two-Tone Everose Gold Fluted Bezel Watch 126331
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
This Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 in Oystersteel and Everose gold features a Sundust dial and an Oyster bracelet. The Rolex fluted bezel is a mark of distinction. Originally, the flu...
Steel, Stainless Steel, Rose Gold
