Special Watch
20th Century Wrist Watches
White Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches
Steel
Vintage 1930s Swiss Wrist Watches
Platinum
Vintage 1940s European Wrist Watches
Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches
18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Swiss Wrist Watches
Sterling Silver
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
Crystal, Sapphire, Steel, Stainless Steel
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches
White Gold
Vintage 1940s European Wrist Watches
Steel
Early 2000s Swiss Modern Pocket Watches
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Wrist Watches
20th Century Wrist Watches
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary European Wrist Watches
Early 2000s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
Vintage 1960s Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Wrist Watches
1990s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
2010s Wrist Watches
Late 20th Century Modern Wrist Watches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1930s Swiss Wrist Watches
Palladium
Antique 1880s English Victorian Pocket Watches
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Pocket Watches
Steel
Vintage 1940s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Swiss Artisan Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
1990s American Wrist Watches
Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s European Wrist Watches
Gold
20th Century Wrist Watches
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
Platinum
20th Century Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modern Wrist Watches
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1980s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
White Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modern Wrist Watches
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches
White Gold
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Platinum
Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1910s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Vintage 1940s Swiss Pocket Watches
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Wrist Watches
Rose Gold, Platinum, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
Silver
Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches
Antique Early 1900s Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches
Yellow Gold
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Special Watch For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Special Watch?
Finding the Right Watches for You
Records show that, in Europe, by the 16th century, it was high time for portable clock devices. Right now, perhaps you’re shopping for your own. If so, find a vast range of fashionable and functional antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs.
While wall-mounted time tellers and grandfather clocks were much more convenient than the sundials of ancient history, watches were becoming crucial for an increasingly connected society whose members learned that the latest advancements in technology meant they could carry devices that kept time to within a minute a day. Tragically, the first pocket watches — albeit an improvement on the accessories that preceded them, which dangled from a chain worn around the neck — didn’t help much as far as accuracy or portability. Focused on style over substance, the upper class frequently carried lavish pieces that ran hours behind.
Eventually, watches migrated from owners’ pockets to their wrists. In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. Designer Gérald Genta, whose range of clients included Rolex, created for Audemars Piguet the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from stainless steel. First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.
Indeed, although exceedingly practical, the watches of today are far from bland. Bulgari’s iconic 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. 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 watches. You’ll always know what time it is because you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from your new accessory.
Form watches — the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches — are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. 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.
When shopping for a watch, it’s good to keep your needs as well as your specific personal style in mind: A smaller, subtle timepiece is a good fit for small wrists. When will you be wearing your new accessory? There’s a versatile model out there for everyday wear, while a rugged, feature-heavy watch is a safe bet if you’re prone to embarking on all-weather activities in the great outdoors.
Find exactly what you’re looking for in an unparalleled collection of antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs that includes Cartier watches, Rolex watches, Patek Philippe watches and more — we promise it will be worth your time.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Rolex watches are special because they are crafted with 904L stainless steel which ensures durability and longevity. The stainless steel also polishes exquisitely well. You can shop a collection of Rolex timepieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024There are a few things that are special about Rado watches. The luxury maker's watches are known for their durable proprietary materials, such as scratch-resistant ceramics. Rado also frequently unveils innovative designs like the ultrathin, super lightweight True Thinline collection. In addition, many people love Rado's wide range of styles, from classic watches inspired by vintage timepieces to sleek, futuristic designs. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of Rado watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Breitling watches are so special due to their precise timekeeping, and this precision is why no brand is more closely associated with the world of aviation than Breitling. Since the founding of the watchmaker in 1884, Breitling has developed innovations to make its watches more accurate and easy for pilots to use. An example is the Chronomat watch. Introduced in 1942, it featured a patented rotating slide-rule bezel for making calculations on the fly. This innovation led to the 1952 creation of the brand’s signature timepiece: the Breitling Navitimer. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association adopted the Navitimer as its official watch in 1959, and it remains the world’s most iconic pilot’s watch to this day. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Breitling watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022What makes Swatch watches special is their versatility. Nearly all of the Swiss watchmaker's timepieces are unisex styles that suit both men and women. In addition, their watches work well with dressy and casual outfits alike. Find a range of Swatch watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023The addition of extra dials called sub-dials is what is special about a chronograph watch. These extra dials allow you to measure time on different scales. For example, a chronograph timepiece may have 30-second, one-hour and 12-hour timers for its sub-dials. Shop a collection of chronograph watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024Here are a few things that are special about Panerai watches. First, Panerai is on the cutting edge of watch sustainability, with the Panerai Ecologico initiative including the almost entirely recycled Submersible eLAB-ID watch and a series of Luminor Marina models composed of a recycled-based steel alloy. Also, Panerai manufactures its high-end, hand-wound watch calibers in a Swiss facility that opened in 2002, combining Swiss technology with its core elements of Italian design and a long, storied connection to the sea. Panerai is also known for producing watches with large, bold dials, many of which are very easy to read, even in low-light conditions and at night. Additionally, the company has a rich heritage that dates back to 1860 and it is a producer of watches for the Italian Navy. Explore a collection of Panerai watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024There are a few things that are special about Longines watches. For one, the Swiss maker has a rich heritage that can be traced back to 1832, making Longines one of the oldest luxury watchmakers in the world. Secondly, Longines is known for the quality craftsmanship that goes into its watches and for the refined appearance of its dials, which are stylish yet easy to read. Longines has also historically been a pioneer in the field of watchmaking. The company was the first to introduce a self-winding movement in the 1950s and has led the way in the development of advanced design details, such as ceramic bezels and sapphire glass. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Longines watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025Part of what is special about the Cartier Tank watch is its unique design. Crafted by Cartier in 1917, one year before the Great War came to a close, the Tank reportedly borrowed its clean, sharp lines and boxy silhouette from France’s legendary Renault FT-17 light tank, itself a compact and extraordinary design that inspired numerous copies. The rectangular minute counter inside the numbers on the watch's face is meant to evoke railroad tracks.
The Tank watch is an icon — Jackie Kennedy wore one as an elegant accessory to her famously elegant wardrobe. It which was emblematic of a stark departure from the renowned jewelry house’s curved and round watch faces in that its case resembled the FT-17’s cockpit, served as a sleek update to the Santos watch. Louis Cartier (1875–1942), the grandson of the company’s founder, strengthened the family name as a formidable watchmaker and presented the first Tank prototype as a victory gift to General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces on the Western Front.
Find vintage Cartier Tank watches and other Cartier watches for sale on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024A few things account for what makes Bulova watches so special. First, the watchmaker has a long history of innovation. One of its signature achievements is the design of its Precisionist movement, which operates at a much higher frequency than standard components, allowing for a higher degree of accuracy when keeping time. Bulova is also known for producing timepieces in a wide range of styles, from the traditional Bulova Classic to the sporty Marine Star to the ultra-modern Curv, which boasted the world's first-ever curved chronograph when it debuted. Bulova's rich heritage also sets the brand apart. The company's history can be traced back to 1875, and the company even produced watches for the Apollo 15 space mission. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Bulova watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Hamilton's Railway Special pocket watch was launched in 1940 and remained in production for the next two decades. At the time, it was marketed as the most accurate railroad watch available. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Hamilton timepieces from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
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