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 Oyster Perpetual 5002 18k RG Silver Index Dial Auto Women's Watch 24mm
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 5002 Rose Gold Silver Index Dial Automatic Women's Watch. Fits a wrist measuring approximately 6.5 inches. Original box and papers are not included.
Rose Gold
Rolex Date 1503 18k RG Silver Index Dial Auto Men's Watch 34mm
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Date 1503 Rose Gold Silver Index Dial Automatic Men's Watch. Fits a wrist measuring approximately 7.5 inches. Original box and papers are not included.
Rose Gold
Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback “Ovetto” Ref. 3372, 18K Rose Gold, Cal. 9¾, c.1945
By Rolex
Located in PARIS, FR
Rolex Oyster Perpetual “Ovetto” Bubbleback, reference 3372, circa 1945, crafted in 18K rose gold (750‰), measuring 32 mm. A particularly appealing example of the early Oyster Perpetual generation, distinguished by its characteristic domed caseback and unusual bezel with engraved hour markers. Silver dial with rose gold hands and hour markers, central seconds, screw-down caseback and signed Rolex screw-down crown. Rolex 9¾-ligne automatic movement, inspected in September 2026 by a specialist Rolex watchmaker in Paris, with excellent timegrapher results. The Bubbleback holds a special place in Rolex history. Its distinctive protruding caseback, which inspired the nickname “Ovetto” (“little egg”) among Italian collectors, was designed to accommodate the early Perpetual self-winding rotor mechanism within the Oyster case. These pioneering watches...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 Rose Gold 228235
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning unworn Day-Date, crafted in 18k rose gold by Rolex. Featuring a sun dust stripe motif dial with applied hour markers. Complementing the dial is a fixed rose gold fluted be...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6627 18k RG Taupe Sigma Index Dial Auto Unisex 31mm
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 6627 18k Rosegold Taupe Sigma Index Dial Automatic Unisex Watch. Fits a wrist measuring approximately 7 inches. Original box and papers are not included.
Rose Gold
$11,776Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex 24mm Oyster Perpetual 6619 18K Gold Vintage 1978 Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual, reference 6619, in 18K yellow gold with a fluted bezel and a champagne dial featuring the Rolex crown logo and baton hour markers. Dated 1978, Jubilee bracele...
18k Gold
Rolex President Day Date 18K Rose Gold 1803 36mm Original Rolex Box
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 1803 Serial: 215*** Year: 1969 Model: Rolex President Day Date Case Material: 18K Rose Gold Band: 18K Rose Gold Bezel: 18K Rose Gold Dial: Champagne Face: ...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1024 Gold & Steel Watch with 34mm Silver Face
By Rolex
Located in RIJSWIJK, NL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1024 Gold and Stainless Steel Watch. This Rolex Oyster Perpetual features a round case crafted in a combination of gold and stainless steel. The watch showcase...
Gold, Stainless Steel
Genuine Rolex 6519 Salmon Dial. 18k and SS ROLEX Oyster Perpetual Date Watch
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Automatic Movement Ref. 6519 25mm Case Circa 1970 Beautiful Watch. Fully serviced- ready to go. Condition: Great condition for the age. Full Service ...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1969 Rolex Day-Date 1803 18K Rose Gold Pink Salmon Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Presidential Standard In A Rare Tone The Day-Date has been the definitive Rolex flagship since its introduction in 1956, a position it has never relinquished. The reference 1803...
Rose Gold
