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 Vintage Precision Yellow Gold 4613
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
This timeless Rolex Precision wristwatch is crafted in elegant yellow gold, showcasing an aged silver dial with applied arabic hour markers. The watch is paired with a matching ye...
18k Gold
Rolex Cellini 18K Yellow Gold Men's Watch, Champagne Dial, Swiss Made
By Rolex
Located in Queens, NY
Rolex Cellini 18K Yellow Gold Watch, featuring champagne dial with baton indexes and 18K Rolex Crown logo at 12 0'clock, powered by 19 jewel mechanical wind-up movement, worn on wris...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Cellini 18k Yellow Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A refined expression of classic Swiss watchmaking, this Rolex Cellini 18k Yellow Gold Watch captures understated elegance through its balanced proportions and meticulous detailing. C...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Precision Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 33mm vintage Rolex Precision in yellow gold. Features a champagne dial with Roman numerals and small seconds display. The piece is fitted with plastic glass, a manual wind movement...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Precision Chameleon Yellow Gold 8788
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage Precision Chameleon wristwatch in yellow gold by Rolex. Featuring a champagne dial with applied hour markers, complemented by a yellow gold fluted bezel. Fitted with plastic glass and a manual wind movement. Presented on a pink Rolex leather...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Genuine 18k Rolex Watch. 18k YG Rolex CELLINI 4109 Round Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
18k Yellow Gold Rolex Cellini Ladies mechanical Movement Wristwatch. Circa 1976 Rolex 1601 Movement Ref. 4109 Round Cellini Beautiful Watch. Manual Windup mechanism. Case is 18k ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1995 Rolex Cellini 4112/8 18K Yellow Gold White Roman Dial Manual 32mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Other Side Of Rolex The Cellini line was Rolex's dedicated departure from the tool watches that built its empire. Named for the Florentine artist Benvenuto Cellini, these watche...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1976 Rolex Cellini 18K YG 3804 Manual Wind Champagne Dial 30mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Gold Minimalist Execution From 1976 The Rolex Cellini 3804 represents a specific era when Rolex leaned into formal design without the constraints of the Oyster case. It ignores the ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1976 Rolex Cellini 4121 18K Yellow Gold Champagne Dial Manual 23mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Beyond The Oyster Case The Cellini line has always been Rolex’s platform for pure dress watch design. Freed from the constraints of the waterproof Oyster case, these watches f...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex 18k Yellow Gold Woman's Datejust Pearlmaster Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Rolex Pearlmaster that is as stylish as it is beautiful! Style 80318, the mother-of-pearl dial, 12 diamond bezel, Pearlmaster bracelet with aftermarket diamonds, synthetic sapphire...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
