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.
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Rolex Daytona 116520 Cream Dial SS P2 Serial 2001 Papers
By Rolex
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2274 Brand Rolex Model Cosmograph Daytona Reference 116520 Year 2001 Dial Cream Dial Case Steel Bracelet Steel Diameter 40mm Length N/A Movement Automatic Weight N/A Lug Width ...
Rolex Daytona Cosmograph 116518
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A mens yellow gold Cosmograph Daytona by Rolex. Featuring a black and champagne-colour dial with red detailing known as a Paul Newman dial and a yellow-gold bezel set with a tachymetric scale, three counters and pushers. Fitted with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and self-winding automatic chronograph movement. The watch is further equipped with a Rolex original...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Men's Steel & Gold Watch 116523
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Men's Steel & Gold Watch 116523 - Automatic winding, chronograph, 44 jewels, sapphire crystal. Daytona. Stainless steel case with 18k yellow gold beel (4...
Rolex Daytona Automatic Chronograph, Ref. 16520, Full Set, 1988
By Rolex
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rolex Daytona, Ref. 16520, U serial, Full Set from 1998 with Service Papers from 2008 and 2020, with original certificate. Model: 16520 Movement: Automatic Chronograph Zenith Cas...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Daytona Steel & Gold Black Dial Unworn 2026 126503
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An unworn Daytona from Rolex in Oystersteel and yellow gold. Features a black dial with applied hour markers. With an engraved tachymetric scale, three counters and pushers, the Dayt...
Gold, Steel
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona White Gold Watch 116519
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona White Gold Watch 116519 - Automatic winding, chronograph, 44 jewels, sapphire crystal. Daytona. 18k white gold case with white gold bezel (40mm diameter). Wh...
Rolex Zenith Daytona Patrizzi Dial 16520
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare stainless steel Zenith Daytona by Rolex. Featuring an extremely divisive and unique patrizzi dial. The watch further features an engraved tachymetric scale, three chronograph counters and pushers, the Daytona was designed to be the ultimate timing tool for endurance racing drivers. The Oyster bracelet is equipped with a folding Oysterlock clasp. Fitted with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a self-winding automatic chronograph Zenith movement. This N serial Rolex...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Daytona Cosmograph 116505 18K Rose Gold
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Rolex Daytona 116505 Mens Watch. 40mm 18K rose gold case with 18K rose gold bezel. Chocolate dial with luminous rose gold hands and Arabic numeral & ind...
18k Gold
Rolex Daytona Cosmograph 116505 18K Rose Gold
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Rolex Daytona 116505 Men's Watch. This watch features a 40mm case and bezel made of 18K rose gold. It has a chocolate dial with luminous rose gold hands...
18k Gold
Rolex Zenith Daytona 4 Liner Inverted 6 200 Bezel 16523
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare Zenith Cosmograph Daytona in Oystersteel and yellow gold by Rolex, featuring a champagne 4 liner dial. The dial features the 12 hour counter at 6 o'clock with an inverted 6 an...
Gold, 18k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Lapponia by Björn Weckström Finland S/S " Bridge To The Moon " Bracelet 1974
By Björn Weckström for Lapponia
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Lapponia by Björn Weckström sterling silver " Bridge To The Moon ' bracelet is part of the Space Silver collection that was inspired by Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to wal...
Sterling Silver
