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 Submariner Date NOS Stainless Steel & Yellow Gold Blue Dial 16613
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An Unworn Stainless Steel & 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date NOS Men's Wristwatch, blue dial with applied hour markers, date at 3 0'clock, an 18k yellow gold uni-dire...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner 18k Yellow Gold Steel Blue Dial Automatic Mens Watch 16803
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. No original box and papers. Covered by 2-year chronostore warranty. Details: Brand Rolex Type Wristwatch Department Men Model Number 16803 Country/Region of Manufacture ...
Steel
Rolex Submariner Steel 18K Yellow Gold Blue Dial Automatic Watch 126613LB
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. 2022/2023 card. Full set. * Free Shipping within the USA * Two-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch's authenticity a...
Yellow Gold, Steel
$25,170
H 1.62 in W 0.44 in Dm 1.62 in
Rolex Submariner 41mm Steel 18K Yellow Gold Blue Dial Automatic Watch 126613LB
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
2022 card. The watch comes with a box and paper. * Free Shipping within the USA * Two-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can verify the watch'...
Steel
1997 Rolex Submariner Date 16613 – Two-Tone Blue “Bluesy”
By Rolex
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
The 1997 Rolex Submariner 16613 in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold is one of the most iconic two-tone sports watches ever produced. Known affectionately by collectors as the “Blu...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner 18K Gold Steel Ceramic Blue Dial Automatic Watch 116613LB
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned Rolex Submariner 40mm 18K Gold Steel Ceramic Blue Dial Automatic Watch 116613LB. No Original Box and Papers are Included. Comes with Chronostore Presentation Box and Chrono...
18k Gold
$60,948
H 1.62 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.62 in
Rolex Submariner 18k Yellow Gold Blue Dial Automatic Mens Watch 126618LB
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn Rolex Submariner 18K Yellow Gold Black Dial Automatic Men's Watch 126618LNBKSO. Original Box and Papers are Included. * Free Shipping w...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Submariner Date Yellow Gold Sunburst Blue Tritium Dial Men's Watch 16618
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
Rolex Submariner Yellow Gold Blue Dial Mens Watch 16618. automatic self-winding movement. 18k yellow gold oyster case 40.0 mm in diameter. Pointed crown guards. Rolex logo on the cro...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Submariner Date Stainless Steel & Yellow Gold 116613LB
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 40mm Submariner Date in stainless steel and yellow gold by Rolex. Featuring a blue dial, complemented by a yellow gold uni-directional rotatable bezel which has a blue ceramic inse...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Submariner 18k Gold Steel Ceramic Blue Dial Automatic Mens Watch 116613LB
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
2020 White card. Pre-owned Rolex Submariner 18k Gold Steel Ceramic Blue Dial Automatic Men's Watch 116613LB. This Beautiful Timepiece Features: Stainless Steel Case and Oyster Bracelet with 18k Gold Center Links, Uni-Directional Rotating Coin Edge 18k Gold Bezel with Blue Ceramic Top Ting, Blue Dial with Luminous Grey Hands, And Dot Hour Markers. The bezel has tiny scratches on the ceramic insert. Comes with Original Boxes and Papers. Covered By 1 Year Chronostore Warranty. Details: Brand Rolex Type Wristwatch Department Men Model Number 116613LB Country/Region of Manufacture Switzerland Style Luxury, Sport Model Rolex Submariner 116613LB...
Vintage 1991 Rolex Submariner 16618 18K Yellow Gold Blue Dial Auto 40mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Gold Standard Diver The Submariner is the definitive tool watch, but the reference 16618 is something else entirely. Rendered in solid 18k yellow gold, it takes the utilitarian ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1965 Rolex Submariner 5513 Stainless Steel Gilt Dial Automatic 40 mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Gilt Era Submariner The reference 5513 is one of the longest-running and most revered models in Rolex history. It is the definitive no-date Submariner, celebrated for its pure, ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
1996 Rolex Submariner Date 16610 Stainless Steel Tritium Dial Automatic 40mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Definitive Modern Diver Silhouette The reference 16610 is the bridge between the vintage tool watch era and modern luxury Rolex. Produced for over twenty years, it represents th...
Steel, Stainless Steel
2000 Rolex Submariner Date 16610 Steel Auto Black Dial 40mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Final Peak Of The Classic Submariner The reference 16610 represents the final evolution of the traditional Submariner case before the shift toward the bulkier Super Case designs...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1990 Rolex Day-Date 18238 18K Yellow Gold Blue Dial Automatic 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Gold Standard With A Modern Engine The Rolex Day-Date has been the definitive statement of prestige for over sixty years, a watch made exclusively in precious metals. The refere...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1979 Rolex Submariner Date 1680 Stainless Steel Black Dial Automatic 40mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Last Of The Matte Dial Subs The Reference 1680 is a foundational watch, marking the first time Rolex added a date complication to its legendary Submariner line. This 1979 exampl...
Steel, Stainless Steel
