10 Past Ten Vintage Rolex Watches

The Comex corporation was founded by Henri Delauze as a commercial diving and salvage operation. Seeking watches that could endure the rigors of the deep sea, Comex began a longstanding relationship with Rolex in 1970, which spanned the next several decades. Comex issued both Sumariners and Sea-Dwellers to its divers and employees. Although seemingly just an engraved caseback and extra logo on a standard issue Rolex dive watch, Comex watches have captured the imagination of many collectors.

The Rolex Daytona is the only chronograph in the Rolex repertoire. Featuring three subdials to count hours minutes and seconds against a fixed bezel, the Daytona is perhaps the most complicated of the sports watches. Early examples were available with black or silver dials, and also exotic dial varieties- known as the "PAUL NEWMAN DAYTONA".

The Rolex Explorer debuted in 1953, after Sir Edmund Hillary’s successful ascent to the top of Mt. Everest. Since then, it has been one of the most cherished tool watches in the Rolex lineup. With its distinctive 3-6-9 dial configuration, the current Explorer model bears a remarkable likeness to the original 1950’s versions.

The Explorer II was initially marketed for cave exploration, as it featured a non-rotating graduated bezel and a 24 hour hand that would be able to tell you 24 hour time even in complete darkness. The ’Orange Hand’ Explorer has become perhaps one of the most collectible models of sport Rolex, bearing little resemblance to any other watch in the Rolex lineup.

The Rolex GMT Master was developed in conjunction with Pan-Am as a watch that would allow pilots to be able to tell time in two different time zones. Featuring a rotating bezel and additional 24 hour hand, the watch has become essential gear for many pilots. Early model 6542 GMTs featured bezels with plastic ’Bakelite’ inserts which often cracked and were easily damaged, making surviving examples extremely coveted today.

The Rolex Milgauss is a peculiar model manufactured for professionals who had to work under highly magnetic conditions. The watches feature a faraday cage to protect the movement against magnetic forces in excess of 1000 gauss. Early examples featured rotating bezels similar to the Submariner, and a lightning bolt shaped seconds hand. The second model of the Milgauss featured a large oyster shaped case with fixed bezel and black or silver dial. They were not very popular at the time, hence their low production numbers and high collectability.

Developed as "Professional" version of the Submariner, the Seadweller has been a trusty companion to many deep sea explorers, ranging from the Sea-Lab teams of the US Navy, to the deep sea divers of the Comex corporation. Early models featured two lines of red text on the dial, which have made them especially coveted by collectors today.

Perhaps the pride and joy of Rolex, the Submariner made its world premier in 1954. The most well know dive watch in the world has been coveted by serious divers and collectors alike. Even James Bond has been a fan of the Submariner, as it had a prominent role in the first eleven James Bond movies.

The Tudor brand was started by Rolex SA in 1946, as a less costly alternative to the main Rolex line. Over the next 50 years Tudor made watches that resembled their Rolex brothers, but were using movements sourced from other Swiss manufactures. Although created as a low price point alternative to Rolex, many examples have become extremely collectible in their own right, especially early version chronographs and Submariners.

Rolex has a storied past that has not been fully represented by the above collections. Perhaps an early Dato-Compax, or a rare Tru-Beat from the 1950s is what you’re looking for. Either way, you’ll find it here.

The Rolex Daytona is the only chronograph in the Rolex repertoire. Featuring three subdials to count hours minutes and seconds against a fixed bezel, the Daytona is perhaps the most complicated of the sports watches. Early examples were available with black or silver dials, and also exotic dial varieties- known as the "PAUL NEWMAN DAYTONA".

The Rolex Explorer debuted in 1953, after Sir Edmund Hillary’s successful ascent to the top of Mt. Everest. Since then, it has been one of the most cherished tool watches in the Rolex lineup. With its distinctive 3-6-9 dial configuration, the current Explorer model bears a remarkable likeness to the original 1950’s versions.

The Rolex GMT Master was developed in conjunction with Pan-Am as a watch that would allow pilots to be able to tell time in two different time zones. Featuring a rotating bezel and additional 24 hour hand, the watch has become essential gear for many pilots. Early model 6542 GMTs featured bezels with plastic ’Bakelite’ inserts which often cracked and were easily damaged, making surviving examples extremely coveted today.

Developed as "Professional" version of the Submariner, the Seadweller has been a trusty companion to many deep sea explorers, ranging from the Sea-Lab teams of the US Navy, to the deep sea divers of the Comex corporation. Early models featured two lines of red text on the dial, which have made them especially coveted by collectors today.

Perhaps the pride and joy of Rolex, the Submariner made its world premier in 1954. The most well know dive watch in the world has been coveted by serious divers and collectors alike. Even James Bond has been a fan of the Submariner, as it had a prominent role in the first eleven James Bond movies.

The Tudor brand was started by Rolex SA in 1946, as a less costly alternative to the main Rolex line. Over the next 50 years Tudor made watches that resembled their Rolex brothers, but were using movements sourced from other Swiss manufactures. Although created as a low price point alternative to Rolex, many examples have become extremely collectible in their own right, especially early version chronographs and Submariners.

Rolex has a storied past that has not been fully represented by the above collections. Perhaps an early Dato-Compax, or a rare Tru-Beat from the 1950s is what you’re looking for. Either way, you’ll find it here.