Vintage 1969 Rolex Day-Date 1803 18K Rose Gold Pink Salmon Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
It is the definitive top-tier Rolex, executed with exceptional taste. Key Specs Reference: 1803 Model: Day-Date 36 Year: 1969 Movement: Automatic Case Size: 36mm Bezel: 18K Rose G...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Day-Date 36mm 18K Rose Gold Eisenkiesel Diamond Dial Watch 128235
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with original box and papers. đź•° Rolex Day-Date 128235-0041 Brand: Rolex Model: Day-Date Model Number: 128235-0041 Department: Unisex Adult Style: Luxury Country/Regi...
Rose Gold
1990 Rolex Day Date Coral Ref. 18238 (Full Set)
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
It It doesn't get better than this, it doesn't. Brand: Rolex Model: Day Date Ref. No.: 18238 Serial No.: E353xxx Year: 1990 Gender: Gents Case Size: 36mm Case: Very good 18K case re...
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date President 1803 Buckley Dial 18K Yellow Gold Leather Strap
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 1803 Serial: 3841*** Year: 1974 Model: Rolex Day Date Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold Band: Custom Leather Band Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold Dial: ...
1988 Rolex Day Date Rubellite Diamond Dial Ref. 18038
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
A beautiful watch that is coveted not only from Stone dial collectors but also loved for its beautiful color. Brand: Rolex Model: Day Date Rubellite Diamond dial Ref.
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date President 18K Everose Gold Black Dial Mens Watch 118235
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Good condition. The watch comes with a box but no paper. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. General In...
Rose Gold
Vintage Rolex Day Date 36MM 18038 Walnut Birch Wood Dial Bark 18K Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Houston, TX
Watch Serviced in-house on 11/15/25. Day-Date 18038 Watch Properties Brand: Rolex Family: Day-Date 36 Model: Day-Date 18038 Ref.
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Rolex Day-Date Omani Dial Bark Finish, 1807
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 18k yellow gold Day-Date wristwatch by Rolex. Featuring a silver dial with applied hour markers, an Omani crest at 6 o'clock, representing the national emblem of Oman and a yellow ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date NOS Rare Oxblood Stella Dial 18038
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare yellow gold Day-Date by Rolex. Featuring the highly sought out and collectable oxblood Stella dial, which features emerald cut diamond hour markers and a fixed yellow gold flu...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1985 Rolex Day-Date 36 18K YG 18038 Auto Black Diamond Dial 36mm 127g
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Definitive Statement In 18K Yellow Gold The Day-Date has been the flagship of the Rolex catalog since 1956, but the five-digit 18038 is where the watch truly modernized.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 Yellow Gold Silver Roman Dial 228238
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A men's Day-Date 40 wristwatch in 18k yellow gold, by Rolex.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1971 Rolex Day-Date 36 18K YG 1803 Auto Champagne Diamond Dial 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Key Specs: Reference: 1803 Model: Day-Date 36 Year: 1971 Movement: Automatic Case Size: 36mm Bezel: Fluted 18K YG Bracelet: President Dial: Champagne Diamond Metal: 18k Yell...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex President Day Date II 218349 41mm Diamond Dial Bezel 18K White Gold 2013
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 218349 Serial: Q7906*** Year: 2013 Model: President Day Date II Case Material: 18K White Gold Band: 18K White Gold Bezel: Factory Diamond Bezel Dial: Factory Diamond ...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Day-Date President Diamond Men's Watch 1803 Yellow Gold 18k Auto 1Yr Wnty
By Rolex
Located in Greensboro, NC
Brand: Rolex Model: Day-Date President Model Number: 1803 Movement: Automatic Warranty: One Year Date: 1964 Movement Maker: Swiss Dial Color: Aftermarket Champagne Diamond Metal Con...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date 36mm 18238 Champagne Stick Dial 18k YG W3 Serial 1995
By Rolex
Located in SYDNEY, AU
SKU 2211 Brand Rolex Model Day Date Reference 18238 Year 1995 Dial Champagne Dial Case 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet 18k Yellow Gold Diameter 36mm Length 18cm Movement Automatic Weight 1...
Rolex Day Date President 18138 Factory Diamond Dial Bezel & Lugs 18K Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 18138 Year: 1986 Model: Rolex Day Date President Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold Band: 18K Yellow Gold Bezel: Factory Rolex Diamond Bezel & Fac...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date 40 228238 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Baguette Champagne Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. Rolex Day-Date President 228238 Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex Day-Date President 2...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Very Rare Day-Date Vintage Gents 18k Yellow Gold Champagne Omani Dial 1803
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 36 mm Very Rare 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Vintage Gents Wristwatch, champagne dial with applied hour markers, day at 12 0'clock, date at 3 0'clock, Omani Crest at 6...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Rare Day-Date Vintage Men's 18K Yellow Gold Omani Dial Bark Finish 1807
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A very rare 18k yellow gold Day-Date men's wristwatch by Rolex, produced for the Sultan of Oman.
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 18k Everrose Gold Diamond Eisenkiesel Dial M228345RBR Unworn
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Factory Diamonds. Comes with the original box and papers. * Free Shipping within the USA * Five-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buyers can ...
Rose Gold
Rolex Day-Date 36 18K Yellow Gold Green Hombre Diamond Dial Watch 128238
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Box and papers. Brand: Rolex Model: Day-Date 36 Model Number: 128238 Department: Unisex Adult Style: Luxury Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Vintage: No Movement Type: ...
Yellow Gold
1989 Rolex Day Date Pavee Dial With Sapphires Ref. 18388
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
Specifications Brand: Rolex Model: Day Date Ref. No.: 18388 Serial No.: L902xxx Year: 1989 Gender: Gents Case Size: 36mm Case: Excellent 18K case factory set diamonds on lugs and bez...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date 118238 Presidential 36 mm 18K Yellow Gold Black Diamond Dial
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Day Date 118238 Presidential 36mm 18K Yellow Gold Black Diamond Dial This watch has been professionally polished, serviced and does not have any visible scratches or blemishes.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Rolex President Day-Date Diamond String & Log Dial Bezel Watch18388
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
ROLEX President Day-Date Diamond String Diamond Log Dial Bezel Watch reference 18388 This Watch Say It.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Rolex President 18078 Spanish Day-Date Yellow Gold Bark Finish Watch
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This Rolex President Spanish Day-Date in Yellow Gold with Bark Finish for men is in mint condition with a subtle patina.
18k Gold
1966 Rolex Day Date Pink Gold Oyster Bracelet Ref.1803
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
Pink Love - It is known that the majority of all 1803s has been produced in yellow gold and only a small portion in white and pink gold, with the later being the rarest ones. W...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Day Date 40mm 18K Rose Gold Diamond Baguette Chocolate Dial Watch 228235
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Excellent condition. Comes with the original box and papers. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. đź‘‘ Gen...
Rose Gold
Rolex President Day-Date 36 18K Yellow Gold Black Dial Men Watch 18038
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Good condition. No original box and papers. Comes with a chonostore box. Free polishing upon request. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day Date 40mm 18K Rose Gold Diamond Baguette Chocolate Dial Watch 228235
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Excellent condition. Comes with the original box and papers. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. đź‘‘ Gen...
Rose Gold
Rolex Day-Date 36mm 18K Rose Gold Green Aventurine Diamond Dial Watch 128235
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with original box and papers. Comes with a Rolex warranty.
Rose Gold
Rolex Day-Date 36mm 18k Yellow Gold Champagne Diamond Dial Automatic Watch 18038
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-Owned. Factory Diamond dial. Comes with an original box, No papers. * Free Shipping within the USA * Three-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buye...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 41 18K Yellow Gold Black Dial Watch 218238
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. Good condition. The watch is fully serviced and tested for water resistance, movement calibration, and time accuracy. General Information Brand: Rolex Model: Day-Date II...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 36mm 18238 18K Yellow Gold Watch Fluted Bezel Champagne Diamond
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This watch has been professionally polished, serviced and does not have any visible scratches or blemishes. Leather strap and gold plated buckle are custom aftermarket. The watch its...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 18238 36mm 18K Yellow Gold Watch Fluted Bezel Champagne Dial
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This watch has been professionally polished, serviced and does not have any visible scratches or blemishes. Leather strap and gold plated buckle are custom aftermarket. The watch its...
Yellow Gold
Rolex President Day Date 40 18K Rose Gold Olive Dimaond Bezel Watch 228345RBR
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn 2023 Card. Comes with an original box and paper. 5-year warranty. * Free Shipping within the USA * Five-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full refund. Buye...
Rose Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 President 18K Rose Gold Olive Dial Automatic Watch 228235
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Pre-owned in mint condition. Comes with the original box and papers. 3-year warranty. General Information Brand: Rolex Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Model Number: 22...
Rose Gold
Rolex Day Date 18038 36mm Factory Diamond Dial and Leather Strap 18k Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 18038 Serial: 962**** Year: 1987 Model: Rolex Day Date Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Band: Factory Rolex Leather Strap & Clasp Bezel: 18k Ye...
Vintage Rolex Day Date Ref 18038 80s Champagne Dial 18K Yellow Gold 36mm Case.
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Rolex Day Date reference 18038 automatic (single quick) with a champagne sunburst dial in 18K yellow gold from the 1980s.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date President 40 18K Yellow Gold Green Lacquer Dial Men Watch 228238
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
🕰️ Product Overview Brand: Rolex Model: Day-Date 40 Model Number: 228238 Type: Wristwatch Style: Luxury Department: Men Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland Year Manufactur...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date President 36 18k Yellow Gold Green Dial Luxury Watch 118138
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Comes with the original box and papers. 3-year in-house warranty.
Yellow Gold
1997 Rolex Day Date Petroleum Blue Dial Ref. 18239 (with Papers)
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
Petroleum Blue Here's a superb example of a Rolex Day Date 18239 in white gold dating back to 1996. The watch is overall in great condition with sharp edges and lugs that show fact...
18k Gold, White Gold
Rolex Day-Date 18K WG White Gold Ombre Blue Dial Diamond 18038 Auto Watch, 1982
By Rolex
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 18049 Year: 1982 Serial number: 76xxxxx Reference: C03782 Case: 18K White gold 36mm without crown; Show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; in...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rolex 128345RBR Day-Date 36mm All Factory Diamond Dial and Bezel
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The Rolex Day-Date 36 Ref. 128345RBR is a luxurious timepiece crafted from 18k Everose gold, specifically designed to capture elegance and exclusivity.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Day-Date 18238 18K Yellow Gold Watch 36m Fluted Bezel Silver Dial Unisex
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This watch has been professionally polished, serviced and does not have any visible scratches or blemishes. Leather strap and gold plated buckle are custom aftermarket. The watch its...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 36mm 18238 18K Yellow Gold Watch Fluted Bezel Silver Diamond Face
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
This watch has been professionally polished, serviced and does not have any visible scratches or blemishes. Leather strap and gold plated buckle are custom aftermarket. The watch its...
Yellow Gold
Rare Rolex Day-Date Yellow Gold Qaboos Dial Bark Finish 1807
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare 36 mm vintage Day-Date by Rolex, in yellow gold. Featuring a silver dial with an Arabic inscription at 6 o'clock and a bark finish bezel. The president bracelet with bark fini...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Rolex NOS Day-Date Green Stella Dial Diamond Set 18048
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare NOS yellow gold Day-Date by Rolex from 1980. Featuring a stunning green Stella dial with diamond set hour markers and a fixed yellow gold fluted bezel set with 44 round brilli...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 18k Rose Gold Gold Olive Green Dial Men Watch 228345RBR
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with original box and papers.
Rose Gold
1994 Rolex Day Date British Racing Green Stella Diamond Dial Ref. 18248
By Rolex
Located in Dubai, AE
Brand: Rolex Model: Day Date British Green Stella diamond dial Ref.
18k Gold
Rare Rolex Day-Date Oyster Quartz Pyramid Egyptian 19028 Original Land Dweller
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
This rare and stunning timepiece has only been seen physically by a seldom few, this luxurious Rolex Egyptian Oyster Quartz Day-Date wristwatch comes as a complete collectors set wit...
18k Gold
Vintage 1982 Rolex Day-Date 36 18038 YG Champagne Diamond Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Foundational Modern Day-Date The reference 18038 is a landmark for the Rolex Day-Date.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date in 18KYellow Gold Black Mather of Pearl Diamond
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Brand Rolex Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold Condition: Pre-Owned Bracelet: 18K Yellow Gold Model: President Day Date Diamond: 1.85ctw Clarity: VS1 Color: F Movement: Automatic Case Di...
Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 36mm Yellow Gold Watch, Oxblood Stella Dial 18038, Circa 1982
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare yellow gold Day-Date by Rolex. Featuring the highly collectable Oxblood Stella dial which is complemented by a fixed fluted yellow gold bezel. The piece is fitted with plasti...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 President Yellow Gold Diamond Bezel Baguette Black Dial 228348
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
The Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 in 18 ct yellow gold, with a bright black, diamond-set dial, diamond-set bezel and a President bracelet. This dial features 10 baguette-cut diamonds....
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 Yellow Gold Black Diamond Dial Automatic Mens Watch 228238
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned in excellent condition. Comes with the original box and papers.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Very Rare Day-Date 18 Karat Yellow Gold Silver Omani Dial Bark Finish
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Very Rare 36 mm 18k Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Vintage Gents Wristwatch, silver dial with applied hour markers, day at 12 0'clock, date at 3 0'clock, Omani Crest at 6 0'...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
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. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.
Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. 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.
But 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. 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.
But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.
Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.
The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. 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. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.
Find vintage Rolex watches, bracelets and more on 1stDibs.
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.Â
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.Â
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.Â
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.Â
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique, vintage and luxury 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.
Certain 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.
Bulgari’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. 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.
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.
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.
Are you shopping for a wristwatch? 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 antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches for sale on 1stDibs.
A fresh palette of dial colors and technological advances have elevated this classic watch model.
The watch has transformed several times over, but it’s still undeniably a classic.
This is perhaps the least subtle version of the Submariner.
If you think this looks like the Rolex Kermit, you're correct.
This model was designed for lefties.
Learn the devious techniques that counterfeiters use to sell inauthentic pieces at authentic prices. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller of Rolex watches is highly vetted.
From understanding the models to choosing among vintage, pre-owned and new watches, here’s our expert advice on finding the best Rolex for you.
As the cache goes on display at London’s Design Museum, we speak to its enigmatic owner about some of his rarest acquisitions.