Longines Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1934 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm "Lug Tip to L...
Gold-filled
Art Deco 3.00ct Diamond Longines Cocktail Watch, c.1920s
By Longines
Located in London, GB
Dating to the Art Deco era comes this stunning Longines cocktail watch.
Diamond, Platinum
Longines Watch Art Deco Platinum Ladies Watch
By Longines
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Designer: Longines Materials: Platinum Weight: 16.1 Grams Measurement: 6" x 1/2" Gemstones: Diamonds Hallmarks: 10% irid plat A Longines watch from Art Deco era, made of platinum...
Diamond, Platinum
Longines Art Deco Ladies Platinum & Diamond Bracelet Watch ~3.5ct Circa 1920
By Longines
Located in PARIS, FR
Longines Art Deco Diamond Bracelet Watch – Platinum & Diamonds – Circa 1920 Elegant Art Deco ladies wristwatch by Longines, crafted circa 1920 and beautifully combining fine wat...
Platinum
Longines 18 Karat White Gold Art Deco Watch from 1925 Handmade
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: 18KT White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1925 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm x Width 21mm MOVEMENT / ...
Longines men's wristwatch. 10 karat gold filled. Art Deco style. Approx. 1939.
By Longines
Located in bronshoj, DK
Longines men's wristwatch. 10 karat gold filled. Art Deco style.
Gold-filled
Longines Gilded Brass Art Deco 8 Day Desk Clock with Power Reserve From 1930's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Gilded Brass CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 3 1/2 X 2 1/2 MOVEMENT / CALIB...
Longines Steel Art Deco Open Face Pocket Watch Original Dial, circa 1930s
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 45mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Wi...
Steel
Longines Platinum Art Deco Ladies Watch with Pearl Bracelet circa, 1930's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm X Width 10mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Ma...
Platinum
Art Deco Black Starr & Frost Diamond and Platinum Watch, with Longines Movement
By Longines
Located in London, GB
A Black Starr & Frost, Art Deco diamond and platinum cocktail wristwatch, featuring a rectangular off-white dial with cut corners, black Roman numerals, hands, and floral motifs,...
Diamond, Platinum
Longines Art Deco Tank Watch with Unique Hand Constructed Steel Case from 1928
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Experimental Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1928 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm x Wi...
Longines Stainless Steel "Grand Prize" Art Deco Watch with Original Dial 1950's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Grand Prize Round Style METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's - 60's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm Lug T...
Stainless Steel
Longines 14Kt Solid Rose Gold Art Deco Ladies Watch with Genuine Diamonds 1940s
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm X Width 14mm MOVEMENT / CA...
Gold
Vintage Longines Rare Art Deco Slim Keyless Lever Pocket Watch 18ct White Gold
By Longines
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare Longines Art Deco slim keyless lever 44mm pocket watch in 18ct white gold, C1920s.
18k Gold, White Gold
Longines White Gold Filled Art Deco Ladies Watch From 1928 w/ Stern Freres Dial
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
The watch is a classic Art Deco Design and it still has its original enamel inlay in the case.
Gold-filled
Longines Grey Blue White Gold Art Deco Enamel Watch Pendant
By Longines
Located in Stamford, CT
Longines enamel pendant watch. Gray blue and white enamel and gold face, with a matching 22 inch chain. Circa 1912. 14k white gold 21.9 grams Tested: 14k 14k white gold Length: 22 ...
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Longines Dolce Vita Chronograph L5.656.4, Art Deco / Tank Dial, 41mm Case, 2003
By Longines
Located in Canterbury, England
Our rare and very attractive Longines Dolce Vita Chronograph , reference L5.656.4, features an art deco/ tank styled 31.5mm (inc crown) x 41mm (approx) stainless steel case, and has ...
Longines Gilded Brass Art Deco 8 Day Desk Clock with Power Reserve From 1930's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Gilded Brass CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 3 1/2 X 2 1/2 MOVEMENT / CALIBE...
Brass
Longines Curvex Platinum Cal. 9L Collectors Wrist Watch
By Longines
Located in Antwerp, BE
Longines Curvex Platinum, Movement Caliber 9L Extremely Rare Collectors Wrist Watch Case : Platinum, Curvex, Wide 20 mm and 44.2 mm Length Including lugs Movement : Mechanical M...
Platinum
Longines Chronograph Minute Repeater 18K Gold Pocket Watch, Extract from Archive
By Longines
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
TO U.S.A BUYERS: DON’T SWEAT ABOUT 15% TRUMP’S TARIFF - WE COVER IT BY GIVING YOU 15% DISCOUNT! This extraordinary & extremely rare antique pocket watch by Longines is a Minute R...
18k Gold
Ladies Platinum & Gold Longines Natural Diamond & Sapphire Manual Cocktail Watch
By Longines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Vintage Ladies Collectable Longines Movement, platinum top and 18k White Gold caseback. Natural Diamonds & Sapphires, Manual Wind Watch. It is set with 16 natural colorless di...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum
Longines 18Kt. Yellow Gold Men's Wrist Watch, French Hallmarked 1930's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Modified Tonneau Shape CIRCA: 1930's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 17 Jewels / Caliber 10.85 DIAL / HANDS: Roman Numerals / Blued Ste...
Yellow Gold
Longines Silver & Niello Watch from 1915 Dial by Stern Freres Matching Chain
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced Art Deco Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Silver and Niello CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 45mm M...
Longines Rubies Diamonds 56 Gold Lady Important Unique Collectable Watch, 1910
By Longines
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
An exceptional and highly collectible Gold Case Longines wristwatch, created circa 1910, set with fine diamonds and rubies. This remarkable timepiece was most likely commissioned fo...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Longines 14Kt Yellow Gold Decagonal Pocket Watch, Circa 1920s
By Longines
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Case number 1535971, made 1920’s 14...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Longines 14Kt Solid White Gold Modernist Style with Custom Dial 1950's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Modernist Dress Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm "Lug Tip ...
White Gold
Longines for Mappin & Webb Silver Campaign Style with Original Enamel Dial, 1910
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Trench / WW 1 METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1910's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 45mm X Diameter 35m...
Longines 14Kt. Solid Gold Cushion Shaped Watch with Original Dial from 1919
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Cushion / Military Dial METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1919 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm x Width 28mm ...
Longines Yellow Gold Enamel Dial Military Chronograph Manual Watch from 1933
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style / Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: 14 Kt. Solid Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 41mm X Diameter 39mm CIRCA / YEAR: 193...
Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage Longines Opal Mosaic Dial 34mm Diamond Bezel 18K White Gold Watch
By Longines
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Longines 1973 watch features a spectacular mosaic black opal inlay dial with 44 round brilliant diamonds totaling 0.66 carats in a prong-set bezel, set in a stainless steel c...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Longines Nickel Campaign Style Watch with a Flawless Kiln Fired Dial from 1915
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Military / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm X Diameter 33mm MOVEME...
Longines 14kt Yellow Gold Open Face Chronograph Pocket Watch from 1920's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Chronograph / High Grade Movement METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 52mm x ...
Yellow Gold
Longines for Ryrie Bros of Toronto Canada Sterling Silver Trench Watch from 1906
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company for Ryrie Bros STYLE / REFERENCE: Trench Watch / Campaign Style METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1906 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length...
Silver
Longines 18Kt Solid White Gold Mid Century Design Tuxedo Watch 1950's / 60's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Modernist METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Diameter 32mm MOVEM...
White Gold
Longines for Birks Open Faced Pocket Watch with Original Dial, circa 1921
By Birks
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines for Birks of Canada STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Open Faced Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1921 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diamete...
Unavailable
W 0.75 in L 1.25 in
Vintage Deco 14 Karat Gold Longines Mechanical Watch with Original Satin Band
By Longines
Located in New York, NY
The watch is in the Art Deco style with an original black satin band.
14k Gold
Ladies 14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Longines Wittnauer Estate Timepiece
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite 14K white gold Longines Wittnauer timepiece circa 1940s contains 28 single cut diamonds= .48cts and two marquise diamonds = .20cts. It also has a 17 jewel Swiss movem...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Longines Wittnauer 1200, Silver Dial Certified Authentic
By Longines
Located in Miami, FL
Longines Wittnauer Reference #:Unknown. Art Deco Longines Wittnauer Men’s Vintage Watch 14K Yellow Gold 29 Gram .
Longines White Gold Ivory Colored Dial Hinged Lugs Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Longines
Located in Dallas, TX
Pre-owned with custom box. Rare and unusual Art Deco Longines with ca. 1920's/30's.
White Gold, 14k Gold
Longines oversize Yellow Gold Tonneau Wristwatch circa 1925
By Longines
Located in Stamford, CT
Rare oversized Art Deco Longines 14k yellow gold tonneau wristwatch, circa 1925.
Art Deco Emerald & Diamond Longines Watch on Emerald Band
By Longines
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Perfect for evening attire, this elegant Art Deco diamond & emerald Longines platinum watch was later fitted with a custom band.
Emerald, Diamond, Platinum, 14k Gold
Longines Platinum Art Deco Pocket Watch
By Longines
Located in Dallas, TX
Longines Platinum Art Deco Pocket Watch - Manual winding.
Longines Steel Hermetic Rare Art Deco Watch, circa 1930s
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Tank Style / Hermetic METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA: 1930's DIMENSIONS: 43mm X 24mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Wi...
Longines Platinum Hand Made Art Deco Dress Watch from 1945
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Dress Style METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum / Diamond and Sapphire CIRCA / YEAR: 1945 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 31mm ...
Longines 14 Karat Solid Gold Art Deco Wristwatch, circa 1940s
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm x Diameter 29mm MOV...
Longines Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch, circa 1950's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm x Width 26mm MOVEMENT ...
Longines 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Art Deco Articulated Lug Wristwatch
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Articulated METAL / MATERIAL: CIRCA: DIMENSIONS: 38mm X 21mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / ...
Longines Gold Filled Art Deco Ladies "Mystery" Watch circa 1950's
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Mystery Watch METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 24mm X Diameter 19mm MO...
Longines Yellow Gold Enamel Art Deco Oversized Pocket Manual Watch, 1919
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Pocket Wrist Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid DIMENSIONS: Length 42mm X Diameter 38mm CIRCA: 1920's MOVEMENT...
14k Gold
Longines Watch Company for Shreve & Co. Ladies White Gold Art Deco Watch
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company / for Shreve and Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Hand Engraved METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt.
Longines 14 Karat Gold Art Deco Tonneau Shaped Manual Watch, circa 1920s
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Hinged Tonneau (Barrel Shape) METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: Length 50mm X Diameter 31mm ...
Art Deco Platinum Longines Ladies Wrist Watch 1.25ct Mined Diamond Original 1932
By Longines
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1932 Longines Platinum Ladies Platinum Watch 1.25ct Diamonds Platinum Case Offers Lasting Value, While the Mined Diamonds Deliver a Level of ...
Diamond, Platinum
Sold
H 1.69 in Dm 1.68 in
Antique Art Deco Platinum Longines 17j Diamond Bezel Blue Pendant Pocket Watch
By Longines
Located in Montclair, NJ
This magnificent Swiss pocket/pendant watch was made by the Longines Watch Co. during the 1920's and features their "18.89m" movement. The hand wound, adjusted, 17 jewel movement is ...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Longines Dolce VITA Reference L5.655.4, Art Deco Style, Outstanding Condition
By Longines
Located in Canterbury, England
Presented in outstanding , refurbished condition , this art deco influenced watch is ideal for daily use.
Longines White Gold Filled Art Deco Ladies Watch From 1928 w/ Stern Freres Dial
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
The watch is a classic Art Deco Design and it still has its original enamel inlay in the case.
Gold-filled
Longines Dolce Vita Chronograph Red L5.656.4. Tank / Art Deco Style Case. Y2003
By Longines
Located in Canterbury, England
Our rare and very attractive Longines Dolce Vita Chronograph , reference L5.656.4, features an art deco/ tank styled 31.5mm (inc crown) x 41mm (approx) stainless steel case, original...
Longines Flagship 3407 Automatic Gold 18K
By Longines
Located in PARIS, FR
The Longines Flagship 3407, dating back to circa 1961, is a stunning vintage timepiece that epitomizes timeless elegance. Crafted with a luxurious yellow gold case and bezel, this wa...
18k Gold
Longines Diamond Cocktail Wristwatch, Circa 1950
By Longines
Located in London, GB
A vintage, Art Deco style cocktail wristwatch, featuring a rectangular off-white dial with cut corners, black Roman numerals, hands, and floral motifs, within a diamond and synthetic...
Diamond, White Gold
Longines Yellow Gold Architectural Theme Manual Watch
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Circle in a Square METAL / MATERIAL: 14 Kt Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: 36 mm X 25 mm CIRCA: 1955 / 1956 MOVEM...
Vintage Longines Rose Gold Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Longines
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa late 1940s Longines Wrist Watch, 29 X 25 M.M. 14k Rose Gold 2 Piece stepped sides case, 17 Jewel Mechanical, manual wind movement, Gold Tone dial with raised Markers and a swee...
Rose Gold
Longines 18 Karat Solid White Gold Tonneau Shaped Wristwatch from 1925
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Longines Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Curvex METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1925 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 40mm x 24mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Wind...
Tiffany & Co. by Longines Watch Co. Yellow Gold Tonneau Shape Watch
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: STYLE / REFERENCE: Tonneau Shape / CIRCA: 1930's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 17 Jewels / Cal. 9.47N. DIAL / HANDS: Sterling Silver With Kiln Fired Enamel Print / Lumino...
Vintage Ladies 14 Karat Yellow Gold Longines Dress Watch, 36.1 Grams
By Longines
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: manual wind Function: hours, minutes Case: 14mm x 23mm rectangular 14k yellow gold case, domed plastic crystal, pull/push crown Dial: silver dial with gold dot hour markers...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Longines is known for creating some of the most technically innovative and attractive timepieces in the world. Once worn by Humphrey Bogart, Albert Einstein, Richard Byrd and Charles Lindbergh, the company's vintage watches are now sought after by collectors and anyone desiring to wear a high-grade wristwatch.
Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.
The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.
However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)
While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.
Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.
A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.
Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other 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.