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Breguet Chronometer

Breguet Neveu Compagnie à Paris. Grande Sonnerie Striking Carriage Clock
By Breguet a Paris
Located in Savannah, GA
chronometer escapement and remontoire. The dial stamped: BREGUET Backplate stamped: Breguet Neveu & Com. ie n
Category

Antique 1840s French Neoclassical Carriage Clocks and Travel Clocks

Materials

Metal, Enamel

19th-Century Flame Mahogany Mantel Clock by Breguet Raised by Lion Paw Feet
By Breguet a Paris
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Breguet et Fils. Breguet had previously sent his son to London to study with the great English chronometer
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Auguste Berthoud. A Rare Antique Experimental Marine Chronometer C1840
Located in London, GB
Auguste Berthoud. A Unique and Rare French Experimental Marine Chronometer C1840 Dial: The
Category

Antique 19th Century French Pocket Watches

Materials

Brass

Dumas. A Rare French 2 Day Marine Pivoted Detente Chronometer C1850
Located in London, GB
Onésime Dumas. A Rare French 2 Day Marine Pivoted Detente Chronometer C1850 Dial: The silvered
Category

Antique 19th Century French Pocket Watches

Materials

Brass

Dent London 18kt. Gold Wrist Watch Made by Legendary Chronometer Maker from 1926
Located in Long Beach, CA
Winding / 15 Jewels / Cal.10L DIAL / HANDS: Original Kiln Fired Enamel with Breguet Style Numbers / Blued
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Wrist Watches

Rare Limited 18kt Gold Omega Chronometre Savonette Pocket Watch, Grade Very Best
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Best , calibre 43.15 S, “Grade Very Best Movement: Manual winding, “Chronometer” quality Case: 18kt
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Artisan Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Chronoswiss C.741C, CH7523 Black Dial with Leather Strap
By Chronoswiss
Located in Miami, FL
Signed Chronoswiss Chronometer Swiss Made, Breguet style hands and numerals - Chronoswiss automatic
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

French Charles X Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, Henri Robert, 19th Century
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
father, also called Henri. Henri senior (1795-1874) studied under the great master Abraham Louis Breguet
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Charles X Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Rolex James Cameron Deepsea Sea-Dweller D-Blue Steel Ceramic Watch 116660
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Mercedes-logo, sword, and Breguet-style shape hands and dot hour markers. Minute markers around the outer
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Longines Silver Half Hunter Trench Watch with Original Kiln Fired Dial 1925
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels / Caliber DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel with Breguet Style Arabic
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Silver

Rolex Submariner Date 116613LN Black Dial 18k Gold/Steel Ceramic Complete Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
, sword, and Breguet-style hands and luminous dot hour markers. Minute markers around the outer rim. Dial
Category

2010s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Steel

Striking George IV Eight-Day Rosewood Pagoda Library Clock by French, London
By Santiago James Moore French
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
LONDON. The time is indicated by a fine pair of Breguet hands. Signed on the dial: FRENCH ROYAL
Category

Antique Early 19th Century George IV Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Longines Silver & Niello Watch from 1915 Dial by Stern Freres Matching Chain
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
Winding / 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Kiln Fired Enamel Print / Blued Steel Breguet
Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Longines Nickel Silver Enamel Dial Chronograph Pocket Watch
By Longines
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ HANDS: Enamel with Breguet Style Numbers / Blued Steel Hands WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement
Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Pocket Watches

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Longines Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Longines
Located in Berlin, DE
High quality collector's pocket watch by Longines. Including original case. Hallmarked, 18k gold. Extremely rare collector's watch. The clock works. Dial unfortunately damaged betw...
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Audemars Freres 14K Gold 1/4 Hour Repeater Moon Phase Chronograph Pocket Watch
Located in Montclair, NJ
This singed Audemars Freres antique pocket watch features a gilt-finished lever, 1/4 hour repeating movement activated by a push button. White enamel dial with three sunken subsidiar...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Tiffany & Co. Vintage 18 Karat Blue Enamel Pendant Watch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Great Neck, NY
Tiffany & Co. Vintage 18 Karat Blue Enamel Pendant Watch, Watch does run watch and case are both signed enamel is pristine, watch is 29 mm This is a real nice piece, watch shows sign...
Category

Vintage 1980s Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Enamel

Patek Philippe Triple Signed Yellow Gold Pocket Watch, 1890
By Patek Philippe
Located in Holland, PA
18k yellow gold triple signed pocket watch by Patek Philippe 1890. Works great, a must have. Details: Case Size: 46mm (20s) Weight: 76.8 grams Movement: Manual wind Dial: Porcelain D...
Category

Antique 1890s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

A Gold Minute Repeater Calendar Chronograph Hunter Pocket Watch C1890s
Located in London, GB
A Swiss Gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Calendar Chronograph Hunter Pocket Watch C1890s Dial: The white enamel dial with Roman numerals outer minute track and tachymetric track. ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Extensive Assembled Meissen Blue and White Bird Model Dinner Service, circa 1890
Located in New York, NY
Each piece painted in underglaze-blue and heightened in gilding with an exotic bird perched upon peony branches, comprising: an oval soup tureen, cover and two stands, an 18" oval pl...
Category

Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Antique IWC Pocket Watch Hunter 14 Karat Gold
By IWC
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid, heavy IWC Pocket Watch Hunter 14 Karat Gold. Pocket watch can be wound and works. Including certificate of authenticity.
Category

20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

18kt Rose Zenith Open Face Pocket Watch Thomas Engel No° 9 with Box & Papers!
By Zenith
Located in Antwerp, BE
18kt Rose Zenith Open Face Pocket Watch Thomas Engel No° 9 With Box & Papers! Limited Edition ! Movement: Mechanical Hand winding Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, moon ph...
Category

Vintage 1980s Artisan Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Gold Travel Clock
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier folding travel clock (with alarm) in 18kt yellow gold. Made in France, circa 1960.
Category

Vintage 1960s French Desk Accessories

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe Vintage Yellow Gold Fancy Chased Case Porcelain Dial Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Patek Philippe Pocket watch, 45 M.M. 3 Piece 18k Yellow Gold case with Gold inside Cuvette, ( dust cover ) Hand Engraving, Chasing on the Bezel and case back. 18 Jewel M...
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Vacheron Constantin, a Fine and Large Yellow Gold Open Face Keyless Pocket Watch
By Vacheron Constantin
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). Model: "Chronometre Royal" Movement...
Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Company Platinum Gents Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930 Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Retailed by Tiffany & company, 43 M.M. Platinum 3 Piece case, 18 Jewel Manual wind Nickle lever movement. Silver Satin dial with raised Gold ...
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Platinum

19th century portrait painted in St Petersburg in 1819
Located in London, GB
Signed, inscribed and dated, lower right: 'Geo Dawe RA St Petersburgh 1819', also signed with initials, lower centre: 'G D RA'; and signed and inscribed verso: 'Geo Dawe RA Pinxit 1...
Category

19th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

A Gold Full Hunter Calendar Quarter Repeater Chrono Pocket Watch C1890
Located in London, GB
A Gold Full Hunter Keyless Lever Calendar Quarter Repeater Chronograph Pocket Watch C1890 Dial: A perfect white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and outer tachymetric scale. The dia...
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Tiffany & Company Patek Philippe Antique Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920 Patek Philippe for Tiffany & company Pocket watch, 45 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 4 piece case including Gold inside Dust Cover. 20 Jewel, mechanical, manual wind nickle lever mo...
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in New York, NY
Circle of Jacques-Louis David (French, 18th Century) Provenance: Private Collection, Buenos Aires Exhibited: “Art of Collecting,” Flint Institute of Art, Flint, Michigan, 23 Nove...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman
H 17.125 in W 13.75 in

Recent Sales

Rolex Tiffany & Co. Stainless Steel Oyster Chronometer Wristwatch
Located in New York, NY
Perpetual, with underlined Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, Ref. 1002. stainless steel with a
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

ROLEX SS BUBBLEBACK CALIFORNIA DIAL “Oyster Perpetual, Chronom."
By Rolex
Located in New York City, NY
, Chronometer," Ref. 2940, case No. 251075. Made in the 1940's. The watch has a original dial and it has not
Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

Patek Philippe Marine Chronometer Desk Clock
By Patek Philippe
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare Naviquartz marine chronometer table clock was crafted by the iconic Geneva watchmaking
Category

20th Century Swiss Other Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Rolex Stainless Steel Date Chronometer Automatic Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
chronometer wristwatch with date and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet. Case: three-body, polished and
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vacheron & Constantin yellow gold Chronometer Royal Automatic Wristwatch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Firenze, IT
, water resistant, 18Kt yellow gold chronometer wristwatch with date. Case two-body, solid, polished
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Black Dial Chronometer Submariner Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Oyster Perpetual Date, Submariner, 1000 ft /330 m, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold

Patek Philippe Open Face Pocket Watch Vintage Yellow Gold 722
By Patek Philippe
Located in London, GB
raised Breguet numerals, gilt Breguet style hands and a small seconds display at 6 o'clock. Fitted with
Category

20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Ref. 1601 Datejust Steel and White Gold Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
BERNARDO ANTICHITÀ PONTE VECCHIO FLORENCE Oyster Perpetual Datejust, Superlative Chronometer
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold, Stainless Steel

Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual, Date Ref. 15210
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual, Date, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified”, case No.W249318, Ref
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

ROLEX Date Stainless Steel, Ref. 15200
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Stainless Steel, Ref. 15200 Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual, Date, Superlative Chronometer Officially
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Bubbleback Pink Gold and Black California Dial Ref 3131
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Rolex California Dial Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual, Officially Certified Chronometer", Ref. 3131. Made
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Unique and Fine Mid 19th-Century Travelling Clock by Arnold and Dent
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
John Roger Arnold (1769-1843) was the son of the eminent chronometer maker, John Arnold. He was
Category

Antique 19th Century English Régence Carriage Clocks and Travel Clocks

Materials

Ebony

Ref. 1603, Datejust ROLEX
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Ref. 1603, Datejust Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual, DateJust, Superlative Chronometer Officially
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Ref. 1603 Datejust Steel and White Gold Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified. Ref. 1603. Made in 1974. Fine, center
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold, Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date Wristwatch Ref 1501
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
steel Chronometer wristwatch with date and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with deployant clasp
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

So-called Zephyr ROLEX, Oyster Perpetual
Located in Firenze, IT
Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, Ref. 1008. Manufactured in
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Stainless Steel

Rolex Yellow Gold Day-Date Oyster Perpetual self-winding Wristwatch, circa 1981
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Oyster Perpetual "Day-Date," Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, case No. 6582183, Ref
Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Submariner No Date Watch 114060
By Rolex
Located in Southampton, PA
hour markers and silver-toned Mercedes logo, sword and Breguet-style hands. The watch offers
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ulysse Nardin Stainless Steel Drs. Pulsation Full Size Chronograph from 1940s
By Ulysse Nardin
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels / Valjoux Ebauch DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Breguet Style Arabic
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Ref. 18348 Day-Date Yellow Gold & Diamonds
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Chronometer, Officially Certified," case No. E299948, Ref. 18348. Made in 1991. Fine, center seconds, self
Category

1990s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex GMT Master Ref. 1675
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Ref. 1675, GMT-Master Rolex, "Oyster Perpetual,GMTMaster, Superlative Chronometer, Officially
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ref. 16570, Explorer II Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Ref. 16570, Explorer II Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual Date, Explorer II, Superlative Chronometer
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Ref 16753 GMT-Master Steel and Gold Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
steel and 18K yellow gold Chronometer wristwatch with date, 24-hour bezel and hand and a stainless steel
Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, Steel

Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial, 1921
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
Winding / 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel with Breguet Style Arabic Numerals / Blued Steel
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Pocket Watches

Rolex Ref. 116400v Green Milgauss Steel
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Milgauss, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, case No. V766988
Category

2010s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ref. 5016, Stainless Steel So-called "Bombay" ROLEX
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Chronometer”, Ref. 5016. Case No. 642024. Made in 1948. Very fine and rare, self-winding, water-resistant
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Steel & Gold "Tiger's Eye" GMT Rolex Ref. 1675
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Rolex Ref. 1675, Steel & Gold GMT Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, "GMT-Master, Superlative Chronometer
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Stainless Steel

Rolex White Gold Stainless Steel Datejust Turn-O-graph Self-Winding Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 1625. Case No
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold, Stainless Steel

Steel and White Gold Ref. 1625, "Thunderbird" ROLEX, made 1966
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
“Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified', Ref. 1625. Case No
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

White Gold, Stainless Steel

William IV / Early Victorian Eight-Day Mahogany Table Clock, by Widenham, London
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
steel Breguet hands. It is protected by a circular glass set in a cast brass bezel, which can be locked
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English William IV Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Very Rare English Carriage Clock Signed Brockbank & Atkins London
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
delicate pair of blued steel Breguet hands. The eight-day single chain fusee movement is of excellent
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English George IV Carriage Clocks and Travel ...

Materials

Brass

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 18kt Everose Gold Ceramic Chronograph Croc Strap
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
PVD process. This high-precision Rolex chronograph certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Gold

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 18kt Everose Gold Ceramic Chronograph Croc Strap
By Rolex
Located in Aventura, FL
PVD process. This high-precision Rolex chronograph certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Waldan International Chronometer Chronographe Platinum Watch
Located in New York, NY
, domed sapphire crystal. D. Two-tone off-whitewith applied white gold Breguet numerals, subsidiary dials
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches

Rolex Stainless Steel Bubble-Back, Oyster Perpetual, Chronometer, Ref. 2940
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 32 mm. Thickness 14 mm. C. Two-body
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel, Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Date self-winding Wristwatch, circa 1957
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Oyster Perpetual , Date, Officially Certified Chronometer, case No. 22xxxx, Ref. 6534. Made in
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex White Gold Stainless Steel Datejust Turn-O-Graph "Thunderbird" Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Firenze, IT
Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 1625. Case No
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold, Stainless Steel

Ulysse Nardin Silver Deck Watch with Power Reserve
By Ulysse Nardin
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Ulysse Nardin Deck Watch Chronometer Case Silver Movement Caliber UN gilt bridge
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rolex for Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch
Located in New York, NY
Chronometer Officially certified. Movement . Cal.1560, rhodium plated, 25 jewels, straightline lever
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

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Breguet Chronometer For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact breguet chronometer you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, yellow gold and steel. Our collection of these items for sale includes 73 vintage editions and 101 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect breguet chronometer among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 20th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing breguet chronometer — no matter the origin — is easy, but Rolex, Longines and Ulysse Nardin each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A breguet chronometer can be a stylish choice for most occasions, but diamond rings, from our inventory of 1, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look, day or night. Today, if you’re looking for a brilliant cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes alternatives. Finding a breguet chronometer for sale for men should be easy, but there are 38 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as women, too.

How Much is a Breguet Chronometer?

On average, a breguet chronometer at 1stDibs sells for $23,080, while they’re typically $850 on the low end and $118,815 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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, new and classic vintage 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, new and vintage watches on 1stDibs — we promise it will be worth your time.

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