1960s Rolex Watches

Buying Advice

About 1960s Rolex Watches

The 1960s are the decade that turned Rolex into the reference point it is today. Every pre-owned 1960s Rolex in our inventory comes from the ten-year stretch that introduced the Cosmograph Daytona in 1963, the Explorer ref. 1016, the GMT-Master ref. 1675, the Submariner ref. 1680 with its Cyclops date window, and the Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 for professional saturation divers. This is the decade where the tool watch templates set in the 1950s were refined into the pieces modern Rolex still sells today. WatchGuys authenticates every 1960s Rolex in-house and backs each one with a 2-year warranty.

The 1960s also mark the most collected transitional period in Rolex history, the shift from glossy gilt dials with radium lume to matte dials with tritium lume, and from acrylic crystals over thinner cases to the sharper case geometry that would define the 70s and 80s. Datejust and Day-Date references adopted the iconic Pie Pan dial, and the Cosmograph Daytona produced the exotic dials that later became known as Paul Newman Daytonas. Browse our wider vintage Rolex collection or the earlier 1950s Rolex page for context on where these references came from.

Which Rolex Models Come From the 1960s?

The Rolex Daytona debuted in 1963 as the Cosmograph ref. 6239, joined by the ref. 6240, 6241, and the screw-down pusher ref. 6263 and 6265 that carried into the 1970s. The Rolex Submariner ran the ref. 5512 (chronometer) and 5513 (non-chronometer) throughout the decade, then added the ref. 1680 in 1967 as the first Submariner with a date and Cyclops lens. The Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 debuted in 1959 and ran all the way to 1980, producing the Pepsi bezel pieces most collectors chase. The Rolex Explorer ref. 1016 launched in 1963 and became the longest-running vintage Explorer reference in the brand's history. The Rolex Datejust ran the ref. 1600, 1601, and 1603 with Pie Pan dials, while the Rolex Day-Date (also known as the Rolex President) used the ref. 1803 and 1807 on the President bracelet. The Rolex Milgauss ref. 1019 replaced the 1950s ref. 6541, the Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 arrived in 1967 as Rolex's first saturation dive watch, and the Rolex Air-King ref. 5500 sold in high volume alongside the Rolex Oyster Perpetual.

1960s Rolex Price

Pre-owned 1960s Rolex prices cover a wider spread than any other decade because the catalog includes both entry-level Oyster Perpetual pieces and the most valuable vintage references ever sold. Air-King ref. 5500 and Oyster Perpetual examples in honest condition typically start in the mid four figures. Datejust and Day-Date references with original Pie Pan dials run from roughly $4,000 into the low five figures depending on metal, dial variant, and bracelet. Vintage sport references occupy the upper tiers: an Explorer ref. 1016 in clean original condition sits in the mid-five-figure range, a GMT-Master ref. 1675 trades from the low five figures to six figures for early gilt-dial pieces, and a Submariner ref. 5512 or 5513 runs from the $20,000 to $80,000 range based on dial, hands, and case sharpness. A Red Submariner 1680 Mark I trades in the mid-to-high five figures, and a Paul Newman Cosmograph Daytona is a six-figure to seven-figure watch. Our team can pull recent auction and dealer comparables for any specific 1960s reference on request.

1960s Rolex vs 1970s Rolex

The 1960s refined the tool watch. The 1970s expanded it. A 1960s Submariner is a 5512, 5513, or early 1680 with gilt or matte dials and thinner cases. A 1970s Submariner is a later 1680 or the 5513 matte, followed by the 16800 at decade's end, with tritium lume and slightly updated movements. A 1960s Daytona is a manual-wind Valjoux-based reference 6239 through 6265 with exotic dial variants possible. A 1970s Daytona is the same base references but with the screw-down pusher cases from 6263/6265 and broader dial variety. In general, 1960s pieces carry a premium for earlier gilt dials and rarer configurations, while 1970s pieces offer more approachable pricing and slightly more modern wearability.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy 1960s Rolex From WatchGuys

Pre-owned 1960s Rolex for sale is one of the most counterfeited and most frequently misrepresented segments of the watch market, especially when it comes to gilt dial originality, case polishing, and service dials passed off as originals. Every 1960s Rolex at WatchGuys is hand-inspected by our team, authenticated against year-correct standards, and sold with the same protections we apply to modern inventory.

Common Questions

1960s Rolex FAQ

• What Rolex models were made in the 1960s?

  The 1960s Rolex catalog included the Cosmograph Daytona (launched 1963), the Submariner ref. 5512, 5513, and 1680, the GMT-Master ref. 1675, the Explorer ref. 1016, the Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 (1967), the Milgauss ref. 1019, the Air-King ref. 5500, and a full range of Datejust and Day-Date references including the 1600, 1601, 1603, 1803, and 1807. The decade also produced some of the most desirable Rolex dials ever made, including gilt, matte, Pie Pan, and Paul Newman exotic dials.

• How much is a 1960s Rolex worth?

  Pre-owned 1960s Rolex values start in the mid four figures for Air-King ref. 5500 and Oyster Perpetual pieces, sit in the $4,000 to low-five-figure range for most Datejust and Day-Date references, and climb into the mid and high five figures for clean Explorer 1016 and GMT-Master 1675 examples. Vintage Submariner references (5512, 5513, early 1680) range from roughly $20,000 to high five figures depending on dial and case condition. Paul Newman Cosmograph Daytonas are six-figure to seven-figure watches. Condition, originality, and service history drive most of the spread within any given reference.

• When was the Rolex Daytona introduced?

  The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was introduced in 1963 as the reference 6239, with a manual-wind Valjoux-based movement and a tachymeter bezel on the outer edge rather than the dial. Rolex had been the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway since 1962, and the Cosmograph took that partnership onto the dial. The first decade of the Daytona did not sell well, which is why original 1960s references with original exotic dials are so rare and so valuable today.

• What is a Paul Newman Daytona?

  A Paul Newman Daytona is a 1960s or 1970s Cosmograph Daytona with an "exotic" dial, distinguished by Art Deco font, square hash marks at the sub-dial minute track, and contrasting sub-dial colors. These dials were unpopular at launch and were often swapped out for standard dials during service. The name comes from actor Paul Newman, who was frequently photographed wearing a ref. 6239 with this dial. Newman's personal watch sold at auction in 2017 for more than $17 million, and clean original Paul Newman Daytonas today are among the most valuable wristwatches in the world.

• What is the difference between a gilt and matte 1960s Rolex dial?

  Gilt dials have glossy black lacquer with gold-colored printing applied underneath, giving the text and chapter rings a warm metallic glow. They were used on Submariner, GMT-Master, and Explorer references through roughly 1967. Matte dials have a flat, non-reflective finish with white printing on top, which cut glare and improved legibility for professionals. Rolex transitioned to matte dials in the late 1960s. Gilt dials typically carry a significant premium over matte equivalents of the same reference because they are earlier, rarer, and more difficult to find in original condition.

• Are 1960s Rolex watches a good investment?

  Vintage 1960s Rolex has historically been one of the strongest-performing segments in the watch market, particularly in sport references with original dials, sharp cases, and matching period-correct components. That said, vintage values depend heavily on condition, dial originality, case polish history, and reference rarity. A service-dial 1016 is a fraction of the value of an original gilt-dial 1016. Buying from an authenticated dealer protects against the biggest risk in the vintage market, which is paying collector prices for a watch that has been materially altered.

Browse More