Breguet 18kt Yellow Gold Art Deco Style Manual Winding Watch, Circa 1950's
By Breguet
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Breguet Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Style / Tank Style METAL
18k Gold
Breguet 5920 Watch in 18K White Gold, 1990s
By Breguet
Located in New York, NY
Here's a Classique neo-vintage Breguet reference 5920 with a beautifully hand finished silver
White Gold, 18k Gold
Breguet Classique Chronograph 18k Yellow Gold 3237BA
By Breguet
Located in Mayfair, London, London
. Recently serviced by Breguet in April 2025, the watch remains in excellent condition and is covered under
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1990s Breguet Classique Yellow Gold 3300BA Manual Moonphase 33mm
By Breguet
Located in New York, NY
Pure Breguet language The Reference 3300BA is the purest expression of the Breguet philosophy
Yellow Gold
Breguet Classique 3210 30.5mm Silver Roman Dial Manual Winding 18k White Gold
By Breguet
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 3210 Serial: 40** Year: ~1990-1999 Model: Breguet Classique Case
18k Gold, White Gold
Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Deco Style Tonneau with Rare Original Dial 1950
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
and Vertical Engraved Plate with Solid Gold Applied Breguet Style Numerals. The watch has been in a
Gold-filled
Breguet 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Wind Movement Pocket Pendant Watch
By Breguet
Located in Roma, IT
This Breguet watch in yellow gold has extra-white diamonds all around the case and a rich pavé at
Diamond, 18k Gold
Breguet Classique 3337BA/11/286 18 Karat Cream Dial Automatic Watch
By Breguet
Located in Miami, FL
/286. Circa 1990s. Fine Pre-owned Breguet Watch. Certified preowned Dress Breguet Classique 3337BA/11
Breguet Quantième 3337ba/1e/986 18 Karat Cream Dial Automatic Watch
By Breguet
Located in Miami, FL
/ date, day and moonphase. 36mm case size. Ref 3337ba/1e/986. Circa 1990s. Fine Pre-owned Breguet Watch
Breguet Horloger de la Marine 3460BA/12/996 18 Karat Auto Watch
By Breguet
Located in Miami, FL
mm case size. Ref 1805d. Circa 1990s. Fine Pre-owned Breguet Watch. Certified preowned Dress Breguet
Ladies Breguet Classic 3210 18 Karat Yellow Gold Mechanical Watch
By Breguet
Located in New York, NY
Brand Breguet Model Classic 3210 Gender Ladies' Condition Pre-owned Movement Swiss Mechanical Case
Breguet Yellow Gold Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Breguet
Located in Paris, FR
A fine and rare Breguet 18k yellow gold manual-wind Peseux 260 calibre movement wristwatch with
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Breguet Yellow Gold Perpetual Classique Wristwatch Ref 1497B
By Breguet
Located in Boston, MA
Breguet 18k yellow gold Classique Perpetual wristwatch, automatic movement, size 36mm. Breguet Ref
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava Geneve 5022 Breguet Mens Hand-Winding Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami, FL
Patek Philippe Calatrava Geneve 5022 Breguet Mens Hand-Winding Watch 33mm
18k Gold
Unavailable
W 1.42 in Dm 1.42 in
Blancpain Limited Edition Extra Slim Automatic Porcelain Breguet Dial, Circ 1995
By Blancpain
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Blancpain Limited Edition Extra Slim Automatic; with Porcelain Breguet Dial. The watch is made in
18k Gold
Unavailable
H 1.64 in W 0.81 in L 1.68 in
Patek Philippe 425J "Tegolino" Vintage Art Deco Watch in Yellow Gold, Circa 1940
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Introduction: Patek Philippe 425J Tegolino Art Deco watch, measuring 42.5 x 20.5. The watch is
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Breguet Heritage Automatic Mens Watch
By Breguet
Located in Bozeman, MT
Breguet Heritage Automatic Mens Watch Ref. 3670BB/12/984 Model #: 3670BB/12/984 No. 3582 H In
Breguet Classique 18k Yellow Gold Watch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Classique 18k Yellow Gold Watch Ref 3290/2 - Manual winding. 18k yellow gold case ( 33 mm
Gents Gold BREGUET 3325 Wrist watch
By Breguet
Located in Chicago, IL
Gents 18K yellow Gold reference Number 3325 Breguet, 33 M.M. case, 33 Jewel Automatic Self winding
18k Gold
Breguet Skeleton 18k Yellow Gold Ladies Watch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Skeleton 18k Yellow Gold Ladies Watch - Manual winding . 18K Yellow gold case ( 25 mm
Breguet Rose Gold Keyless Lever Pocket Watch C1899
By Breguet
Located in Mayfair, London, London
movement is in perfect working order. This watch is important and rare as Breguet pocket watches from this
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Breguet Classique 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch Ref 3500
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Classique 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch Ref 3500 - Manual winding. 18k yellow gold case ( 33
Breguet Marine Automatic 18k Yellow Gold Watch 3400BA/12/A90
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Marine Automatic 18k Yellow Gold Watch 3400BA/12/A90 - Automatic winding. 18 yellow gold
Breguet Marine Automatic Ladies 18k Yellow Gold Watch 8401BA/52/A40.DD00
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Marine Automatic Ladies 18k Yellow Gold Watch 8401BA/52/A40.DD00 - Automatic winding. 18
Breguet Classique Moonphase Power Reserve 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch Ref 3130
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Classique Moonphase Power Reserve 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch Ref 3130 - Automatic winding
Vintage Breguet Classique 18K Yellow Gold Silver Dial Hand Wind Mens Watch
By Breguet
Located in New York, NY
of the watch. Recently serviced. No original box and papers. Comes with a gift box and the seller's
Yellow Gold
Breguet. A Yellow Gold Onyx Centre Pave Diamond Set Dial Pocket Watch C1980
By Breguet
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Breguet. A Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Onyx Centre Pave Diamond Set Dial Dress Pocket Watch C1980
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Breguet Classique Moonphase Power Reserve 18 Karat Gold Men's Watch 7787BB/12/9
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Classique Moonphase Power Reserve 18k White Gold Men's Watch 7787BB/12/9V6 - Automatic
Breguet Marine Men's Steel and Gold 2-Tone Automatic Watch 3400SA/12/X90
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Marine Men's Steel & Gold 2-Tone Automatic Watch 3400SA/12/X90 - Automatic winding
Breguet Two Color Gold Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Long Beach, CA
Breguet, 18 jewels, 18kt, mid-century, men's wrist watch. Original dial with Roman numerals
18k Gold
Breguet Marine Hora Mundi 18K Gold Silver Dial Automatic Men Watch 3700BA/12/9V6
By Breguet
Located in New York, NY
refund. Buyers can verify the watch's authenticity at any boutique or dealership within this period
18k Gold
Breguet Horloger De La Marine 35mm Steel 18k Gold Champagne Dial Mens Watch 3641
By Breguet
Located in New York, NY
inspection. Brand: Breguet Type: Wristwatch Department: Men Model Number: 3641 Country/Region of
18k Gold, Steel
Breguet Lady's Yellow Gold Diamond Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in San Francisco, CA
Breguet 18Kt Yellow Gold Women's Watch Features 202 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Around the Bezel
Diamond, 18k Gold
Breguet 18kt Gold Wristwatch and Bracelet
By Breguet
Located in Kingston, NY
Breguet 18kt Gold Reference 3150 Wristwatch and Bracelet, c. 1990s, two-tone silvered dial with
Gold
BREGUET Vintage Type 20 Stainless Steel Chronograph
By Breguet
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
with a wearable and handsome contemporary style, Breguet includes a line of Type 20 modern watches in
Stainless Steel
BREGUET Platinum Classique Regulator Wristwatch Ref 5187
By Breguet
Located in Chicago, IL
Breguet Ref. 5187, Classique Regulator. Platinum 30 mm case, 8.5 mm thick. Sapphire crystal
Platinum
Breguet Tourbillion 18k Yellow Gold Ref. 3357 BA
By Breguet
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Breguet Tourbillion 18k Yellow Gold Ref. 3357BA Manual wind with crocodile skin band, sapphire
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Breguet Titanium Transatlantique Type XXI Flyback Chronograph Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
; flyback chronograph; hour, minute and seconds recorders; date. Breguet titanium bracelet deployant clasp
Titanium
Breguet Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Marine Automatic Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
18k yellow gold Breguet bracelet. Pre-owned with custom box. Current Replacement Value: $14,000.00
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Breguet Marine Tourbillon Rose Gold Skeleton Back Chronograph Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in New York City, NY
Handsome and rare 18K Rose gold chronograph wrist watch from the "Marine" collection by Breguet. It
18k Gold
Breguet White Gold Marine II Flyback Chronograph Automatic Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Marine II 18k White Gold Men's Watch with Flyback Chronograph 5827BA.125.ZU - Automatic
Breguet Classic 3325, 18 Karat White Gold, circa 1990
By Breguet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Breguet Classique reference number 3325. 18K white gold. Made in 1990. Original papers and watch
18k Gold, White Gold
Breguet 5010 D 18k White Gold, Switzerland Circa 1994
By Breguet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Breguet 5010 D wrist watch in 18k White Gold. Manual, self-winding and water resistant up
White Gold
Breguet Yellow Gold Perpetual Calendar Power Reserve Automatic Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Perpetual Calendar Power Reserve Men's 18k Yellow Gold Watch Ref. 3310ba/13/296 ( 3310
Breguet Yellow Gold Classique Power Reserve Automatic Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Automatic winding. 18k yellow gold case with exposition back (39mm diameter). 2-tone silvered guilloche dial with black Roman numerals; power reserve indicator; moonphase; date. Str...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Breguet Yellow Gold Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch with Power Reserve
By Breguet
Located in New York, NY
18K yellow gold Breguet automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch, circa 1980s, with power reserve
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Breguet Stainless Steel Type XX Aeronavale Chronograph Automatic Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
dial with luminous style Arabic numerals; hour, minute and seconds recorders. Stainless steel Breguet
Stainless Steel
Breguet Yellow Gold Classique Ultra Slim Automatic Wristwatch Ref 5207
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Classique Ultra Slim 18k Yellow Gold Automatic Men's Watch Ref. 5207 - Automatic winding
Yellow Gold
Breguet Marine Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Guilloche Dial Automatic Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Marine Men's Steel & Gold 2-Tone Automatic Watch 3400SA/12/X90 - Automatic winding
Breguet White Gold Classique Moonphase Power Reserve Wristwatch Ref 3137
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
white gold Breguet deployant clasp. Pre-owned with Breguet box.
18k Gold, White Gold
Breguet Stainless Steel Transatlantique Type XXI Flyback Chronograph Wristwatch
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Automatic winding; flyback chronograph. Stainless steel case with rotating bezel (43mm diameter). Ruthenium dial with Arabic numerals; date at 6 o'clock position; hour, minute and s...
Stainless Steel
Breguet White Gold Classique Ultra Slim Automatic Wristwatch Ref 5207
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
o'clock position; blued hands; black Roman numerals. Breguet strap band and 18k white gold deployant clasp
18k Gold, White Gold
Breguet 18K Yellow Gold Pocket WatchBreguet 18K Yellow Gold Split Second
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
White Porcelain Dial with Black Breguet Style Numerals Pocket Watch - Manual winding (50 mm). 18K
Yellow Gold
Breguet Rose Gold Classique Moonphase Power Reserve Wristwatch Ref 3137BR/11/98
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Classique Moonphase Power Reserve 18k Rose Gold Men's Watch 3137BR/11/986 - Automatic
Rose Gold
Breguet Marine Automatic Big Date Black Dial Rose Gold Ref 5817 BR
By Breguet
Located in Dallas, TX
Breguet Marine Automatic Big Date Black Dial Rose Gold Ref 5817 BR - Automatic. 18K Rose gold case
Automatic Breguet Classic Watch with 18K Gold Folding Clasp
Located in Vannes, FR
Immerse yourself in the refined world of watchmaking with the Breguet Classic automatic watch
18k Gold
Illinois Open Faced Pocket Watch with Kiln Fired Enamel Dial from 1919
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
Breguet style hands. The watch keeps excellent time and you can wear it all the time even though it is 100
PATEK PHILIPPE Stainless Steel Calatrava Wristwatch with Breguet Numerals
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
. 18-jewel manual-wind movement, subsidiary seconds, applied Breguet numerals. Signed and numbered case
Stainless Steel
Lady’s White Gold Rolex Cellini with Breguet Numeral Vignette Dial
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
fun addition to your wardrobe. Made of 18 karat white gold, the watch remains in beautiful original
18k Gold, White Gold
S. Shonholtz Chromium Chronograph with Breguet Style Engraved Dial, circa 1950s
Located in Long Beach, CA
/ 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Sterling Silver Breguet Style Engine Turned Dial / Dauphine Hands ATTACHMENT
Rare & Important Rolex Precision Keyless Lever Stainless Steel Pocket Watch
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
balance and Breguet overcoil hairspring. The watch is in perfect working order. This pocket watch is
Stainless Steel
Patek Philippe. A Gold Elegant Keyless Lever Dress Watch C1940s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Breguet overcoil hairspring. This pocket watch is a fine example of Patek Philippe's craftsmanship in
Gold, 18k Gold
Breguet Yellow Gold Quarter Repeater Large Hunter Case Pocket Stop Watch
By Breguet
Located in Southampton, PA
14k rose gold hunting cased quarter repeater Swiss large 59mm pocket and stop watch by Breguet
14k Gold
Platinum White Gold Art Deco Diamond Wrist Watch
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
This stunning and very elegant oval 1920 Art Deco wrist watch features a platinum and Diamonds case along with the dial's stylized numerals. The white gold mesh band is smooth, sleek...
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
Patek Philippe Ultra Thin, 18Kt Solid Gold Dress Watch circa 1980's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe et Cie STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 3571-1 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 26mm X Width...
18k Gold
Cartier Vintage Yellow Gold Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960 Cartier Mid Size Wrist Watch, 30 M.M. X 6 M.M thick 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, Cartier Inc. 17 jewel mechanical, Manual wind movement. Silver Satin Dial with raised Gol...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid Gold Dress Watch circa 1980's with Original Bracelet
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 4217-10 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 23mm X Widt...
Gold
Mappin & Webb 9Ct. Solid Gold Watch with Breguet Engine Turned Dial 1922
By Mappin & Webb
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Mappin & Webb STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: 9ct Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1922 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 31mm X Width 23mm MOVEMENT / C...
Cartier Audemars Piguet 1970s Yellow Gold Tank Mechanical mid size Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970 Cartier classic Tank Wrist Watch, 20 x 20 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 Piece case, Sapphire crown. 20 Jewel, Audemars Piguet Manual wind, Nickle Lever movement. White Enamel Dia...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Yellow Gold Strap Model Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Rolex Wrist Watch, 33 M.M. 14K 2 piece case, 9 M.M. thick, 17 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind Nickle lever movement, 2 tone Silver Satin Pie pan dial with raised Gold marke...
14k Gold
Patek Philippe 5970R Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
The Patek Philippe Reference 5970R showcases a 40mm rose gold case and a white dial set with rose gold baton markers and hours, minutes hand. This is a grand complications model fea...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid Yellow Gold Dress Watch circa 1980's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Style / Reference 3490-2 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 26mm X 26mm ...
18k Gold
Vintage Omega Mechanical Automatic Watch 18kt
Located in New York, NY
Geneve Ladies Watch Circa 1970's High grade Swiss Mechanical Movement Working Order. 7 inch Wearable Length 36 grams 17mm diameter case
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 9k ROLEX Watch. Rolex 9k YG 12324 Dress Watch 1940s
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage Rolex Mens Watch 9k Yellow Gold Case ref.12324 Windup Movement. Runs well. Circa 1946 Beautiful Watch. New Genuine Gucci Leather band. 30mm round Case
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
$27,995
W 1.75 in Dm 1.75 in
IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44mm 18K Rose Gold Black Dial IW503202 Papers
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
The IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar (reference IW503202) is a distinguished timepiece that exemplifies IWC's commitment to blending classic design with sophisticated craftsmanship...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Daytona Yellow Gold Cosmograph 116528
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A yellow gold Cosmograph Daytona by Rolex. Featuring a black dial with contrasting outer minute track and champagne sub-dials as well as a yellow gold tachymeter bezel. Fitted with ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$44,910
H 1.66 in W 0.44 in Dm 1.66 in
Unworn Rolex Yacht-Master 42mm White Gold Black Dial Automatic Mens Watch 226659
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with the original Box and papers.
White Gold
Piaget 18Kt. Solid Gold Automatic Micro Rotor and Original Strap and Buckle 1970
By Piaget
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Piaget Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Automatic / Reference 12447 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 37mm X Width 3...
Bulgari Tubogas Quadrato Ladies 18k Yellow Gold Cuff Wrist Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Bulgari Tobogas Quadrato Ref: SQ 22 2T Cuff Wrist Watch, 22 x 22 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece Square case, 4.5 M.M. thick, Black dial with raised Gold markers, Quartz move...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Known for high-quality craftsmanship and meticulous design as well as ease of use and portability, Breguet wristwatches and pocket watches have remained quite popular throughout history.
Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747–1823) is commonly called the “father of modern horology.” The Swiss horologist is responsible for the creation of many clock and watch innovations that are still used in timepieces today, including the self-winding watch, the tourbillon movement, the perpetual calendar and a shock absorption system. Breguet is also credited with having designed the first wristwatch.
Born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Breguet was introduced to watchmaking through his stepfather, watchmaker Joseph Tattet. As a teenager, he traveled to Versailles to apprentice under a master watchmaker. In 1775, he opened his own workshop on the Quai de l’Horloge in Paris.
Breguet was soon crafting timepieces for the French court, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who purchased several Breguet designs. In 1783, one of her guards (and an ardent admirer) commissioned Breguet to design a gift for the Queen, asking him to develop the world’s most complicated timepiece. It would take 44 years to complete and was finished by Breguet’s workshop in 1827, four years after his own death and 34 years after Marie Antoinette was executed.
The Breguet No. 160 pocket watch, as Breguet’s 160th watch was officially called, is now in the Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem and was the subject of an infamous 1983 theft before it was recovered in 2006. Breguet now sells a reproduction of what is still the fifth most complicated watch in the world.
Plenty of royals, politicians and virtuosos have acquired their own Breguet timepieces, including Queen Victoria, Napoleon Bonaparte, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Ettore Bugatti and Sir Winston Churchill.
The world’s first known wristwatch — delivered in 1812 — was created by Abraham-Louis Breguet for Caroline Murat, the queen of Naples (and Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister). By the 1930s, wristwatches comprised the bulk of watch manufacturing in America, superseding the pocket watch.
The house of Breguet is still in operation today with an enduring commitment to technical innovation in personal timekeeping. It was run by members of the Breguet family through 1870, after which it was sold to English watchmaker Edward Brown, whose family managed it for the next century.
In 1970, the company changed hands to the French Chaumet family, and in 1999, it was acquired by the Swiss Swatch Group. Breguet’s Reine de Naples drew on the founder’s watch for Murat and introduced an unusual ovate case to a receptive public in 2001.
Find a range of vintage Breguet wristwatches and pocket watches 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.