Rolex: The P&B Vintage Buying Guide

“For a lot of guys, picking out a vintage watch begins and ends with a single brand: Rolex. This isn’t for lack of worthy alternatives—there are plenty, and we’ll cover them all in this series—but because there are just so many iconic Rolex models, each groundbreaking in its own way. From the original waterproof Oyster to the Explorer that accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary up Mount Everest in 1953, to the Submariner, which was 007’s diving watch of choice in Dr. No, pretty much every Rolex model has a cool backstory. And a cool backstory is exactly what you want in a vintage watch. Well, that and timeless design and a track record of appreciating in value—but Rolexes have that, too.”