Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates - even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. At the same time, both casual fans and careful collectors are drawn to the unbeatable charm of vintage styles, such as the icons designed by Omega that even James Bond can’t resist. If anything, elaborately crafted timepieces - the unmistakably boxy silhouette of Cartier Tank watches, the elegant and minimal Calatrava designed by legendary Swiss house Patek Philippe - are even more effective than the shape we associate with traditional wristwatches.įorm watches - the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches - are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. Finding the Right Wrist Watches for YouĪntique, new and vintage wristwatches have captured the hearts and minds of all manner of watch collectors as well as the watchmakers themselves - it's time you found your own.Ĭertain vintage watches for men and iconic watch designs for women are sought after not only because of their graceful proportions or innovative materials but also because of the illustrious histories of the houses that created them, histories that they stylishly embody.īvlgari’s legendary Serpenti watch was on everyone’s list after the collection’s bold bracelet, which technically debuted after the timepiece, graced the wrist of actress Elizabeth Taylor. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.įind vintage Rolex watches, bracelets and more on 1stDibs. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. 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. The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.įive years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. 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.īut the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. 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.īut 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.
Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable. 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.
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