Bulgari Parentesi Yellow Gold Diamond Watch Bracelet BG01
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Parentesi watch bracelet by Bvlgari, set in 18k yellow gold, adorned with approx. 2.50ctw G
20th Century Italian Wrist Watches
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Parentesi Yellow Gold Diamond Watch Bracelet BG01
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Parentesi watch bracelet by Bvlgari, set in 18k yellow gold, adorned with approx. 2.50ctw G
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Diamond Parentesi 18 Kt Gold Vintage Link Bangle Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Milano, IT
Stunning Bulgari Parentesi Vintage Diamond Bangle Watch. Iconic vintage Bulgari Parentesi 18 carat
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Parentesi 18K Yellow Gold Bvlgari Watch, Ref. BJ 10
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Bvlgari Parentesi 18K Yellow Gold Watch, Ref. BJ 10 This elegant Bvlgari Parentesi watch, made in
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi 18K Yellow Gold BJ 01 H54486 Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
The Bvlgari Parentesi 18K Yellow Gold BJ 01 H54486 watch is a refined example of the brand’s
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi Diamond & 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet Watch, Ref BJ01
By Bulgari
Located in Honolulu, HI
Authentic Bvlgari Parentesi ladies bracelet watch in 18k yellow gold, Ref. BJ 01. This stunning
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Parentesi Ladies Yellow Gold and Steel Quartz Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Bulgari Parentesi ladies Wrist Watch, 20 M.M 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece case, Quartz
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Ladies Gerald Genta-Bvlgari Tubogas Wristwatch, Prototype Piece Unique
By Bulgari
Located in Antwerp, BE
, BVLGARI BVLGARI and Parentesi. The Bulgari watch collections include Octo, BVLGARI BVLGARI, Diagono and
Yellow Gold
Unavailable
BULGARI Parentesi bangle watch
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, NY
A diamond set "Parentesi" bangle watch, by Bulgari The pavé eight-cut diamond dial to a
Bulgari Yellow Gold Diamond Parentesi Lady´s Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in Roma, IT
Firmato Bulgari. Modello Parentesi. Yellow gold 18K set with small diamonds with a total of circa
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Unavailable
H 0.23 in Dm 0.79 in
Bulgari Lady's Parentesi Yellow Gold Pave Diamond Quartz Wristwatch Ref BJ0
By Bulgari
Located in Hartsdale, NY
Vintage Ladies Diamond Pave Bvlgari bangle watch from the iconic "Parentesi" collection.Circa
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bulgari Ladies Yellow Gold Black Bezel Parentesi Wristwatch Ref BJ02 G0024
By Bulgari
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
BULGARI Parentesi watch, gold semi-rigid bracelet, bezel black background, signed and numbered BJ02
Gold
Bulgari Parentesi Diamond Gold Cuff Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
Iconic and rare vintage Bulgari Parentesi 18 carat yellow gold watch is composed of sculpted
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Bulgari Lady's Yellow Gold Parentesi Bracelet Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Dallas, TX
Bulgari Parentesi lady's 18k yellow gold bracelet watch, Ref. BJ 01, with quartz movement. 18k
Bulgari Lady's Yellow Gold and Diamond Parentesi Bracelet Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A lady's 18k yellow gold and diamond Parentesi bracelet watch with quartz movement, Bulgari, circa
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Lady's Yellow Gold and Diamond Parentesi Bangle Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
This Bulgari lady's 18k yellow gold and diamond Parentesi bangle bracelet watch weighs 89.2 grams
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Parentesi 18 Karat Gold Steel Watch Bracelet BJ01
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Parentesi 18k gold and stainless steel cuff bracelet watch by Bvlgari. Featuring silver tone dial
18k Gold, Steel
Bulgari Lady's Yellow Gold and Diamond Parentesi Bangle Bracelet Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
Lady's 18k yellow gold and diamond Parentesi bangle bracelet watch by Bulgari. This gorgeous watch
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bulgari Parentesi Sapphire and Diamond Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant Bulgari Parentesi wristwatch exemplifies the brand's mastery in blending high jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
BVLGARI Parentesi Gold Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
BVLGARI Parentesi Gold Bracelet yellow gold, quartz movement, number BJ01 679 744 (102.95 grams)
18k Gold
Bulgari Lady's Yellow Gold Diamond Parentesi Quartz Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Signature Bulgari Parentesi lady's watch created by Bulgari in Italy in the 1990's. Made of 18k
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi 18 Karat Quartz Movement Watch Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Narberth, PA
This fabulous watch is a signed piece by Bvlgari! The Parentesi watch, released in the 1980s
18k Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi Round Brilliant Cut Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Cuff Bangle Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A stylish cuff bangle watch created by Bvlgari from the iconic Parentesi collection, featuring
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi Cuff Watch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold and 4.00 Carats Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Crema, Cremona
This exquisite authentic Bulgari cuff watch of immaculate design and artistic craftsmanship is
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi Ladies Yellow Gold Champagne Dial BJ06
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k Yellow Gold Parentesi Ladies Wristwatch, champagne dial, a fixed 18k yellow gold bezel
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari, 18k Yellow Gold and Steel 'Parentesi' Wristwatch
Located in Kingston, NY
This is a Bulgari wristwatch with a case diameter of 19.00 mm and a matte silvered dial. It has a
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Bvlgari 18Kt. Yellow Gold and Steel Parentesi Bangle Bracelet in New Condition
By Bulgari
Located in Long Beach, CA
is one of Bvlgari's most famous models, The Parentesi. It is still in production today and this one
Bulgari Bvlgari Parentesi Diamond Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
18k yellow gold diamond Parentesi bangle bracelet wristwatch by Bulgari. With Round brilliant cut
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi Watch In 18kt Yellow Gold With Black Dial
By Bulgari
Located in Firenze, IT
Bvlgari Parentesi Watch in 18kt Yellow Gold with Black Dial, and quartz movement Made in Italy
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate Bulgari White Diamond and Yellow Gold Parentesi Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous white diamond and 18k yellow gold estate Bulgari watch from the classic Parentesi
White Diamond, Yellow Gold
18kt yellow gold Bulgari Parentesi with Diamonds, Quartz movement
By Bulgari
Located in Antwerp, BE
Impressive 18kt yellow gold Parentesi watch bracelet by Bvlgari, decorated with a total of approx
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Bvlgari 18 Karat Gold Parentesi Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Bvlgari 18 Karat Gold Parentesi Watch. Crafted in 18 karat yellow gold, signed Bvlgari
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Parentesi Tubogas Diamonds Ladies 18 Karat Bracelet Bangle Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in Berlin, DE
wrists. 100 percent original product! Including certificate of authenticity. You will receive the watch
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi 18 Karat Yellow Gold Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Brand: Bvlgari Material: 18k Yellow Gold Hallmark; OR 750 18K Bvlgari BB 23 2T P. 275 250 Fabrique en Suisse Movement: Quartz Dial Markers: Diamond Dial Color: Black Lacquered Hands:...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi Gold and Diamond
By Bulgari
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Vintage Ladies Diamond Pave Bvlgari bangle watch from the iconic "Parentesi" collection Watch is
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bvlgari 18Kt. Yellow Gold and Steel Parentesi Bangle Bracelet in New Condition
By Bulgari
Located in Long Beach, CA
is one of Bvlgari's most famous models, The Parentesi. It is still in production today and this one
Bvlgari Tubogas Midsize Watch, Black Dial, Quartz, BB30 GSCD
By Bulgari
Located in Antwerp, BE
, BVLGARI BVLGARI and Parentesi. The Bulgari watch collections include Octo, BVLGARI BVLGARI, Diagono and
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Bvlgari Bulgari Tubogas 18 Karat Yellow White, Rose Gold Flexible Wrap Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Antwerp, BE
introduction of B.zero1, Divas' Dream, Serpenti, BVLGARI BVLGARI and Parentesi. The Bulgari watch collections
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI Parentesi Yellow Gold Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
The Bulgari watch is quartz movement with a matt finish 18k yellow gold face. The Watch is a bangle
18k Gold
Bulgari Watch "Parentesi" Collection Set with Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Paris, IDF
A 18Kt white gold Bulgari bracelet watch "Parentesi" collection. The dial is entirely set with
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
BULGARI Lady's Yellow Gold Parentesi Bangle Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brand Name Bulgari Style Number BJ 01 Series Parentesi Gender Lady's Case Material 18k
Bulgari Lady's Yellow Gold Parentesi Bracelet Watch with Diamond Dial
By Bulgari
Located in Greenwich, CT
Bulgari lady's 18k yellow gold Parentesi bracelet watch, featuring a Swiss-made quartz movement
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Bulgari Lady's Yellow gold Parentesi Quartz Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in Paris, IDF
Yellow gold Bulgari watch, Parentesi collection on a yellow gold Tubogaz bracelet. BB19 This is
18k Gold
Bulgari Parentesi Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold BJ01
By Bulgari
Located in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
"Ref: COM2108 Manufacturer: Bulgari Model: Parentesi Model Ref: BJ01 Age: Gender: Ladies Complete
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi BJ 01
By Bulgari
Located in Surfside, FL
Bvlgari Parentesi diamond watch in 18k, with diamond dial and diamonds on the band. Quartz. 20 mm
Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi 18k Yellow Gold Wristwatch Ref BJ 01
By Bulgari
Located in Surfside, FL
Bvlgari Parentesi watch in 18k yellow gold with pave diamond dial and pave diamond stations on
Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi BJ 02, Silver Dial, Certified and Warranty
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Bvlgari Parentesi Reference #:BJ 02. Bvlgari Parentesi FULL PAVE DIAMONDS 18K White Gold Quartz
Sold
H 5.4 in W 5.4 in D 5.4 in L 5.4 in
A Gold & Diamond Parentesi watch bracelet & Cuff Bracelet Set by Bulgari
By Bulgari
Located in Kenley surrey, GB
This is a superb matching set. The watch-bracelet featuring a round dial pavé-set with single-cut
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Maxima for Titti Dell'Acqua Cognac Tan Alligator Top Handle Bag
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Maxima for Titti Dell'Acqua Cognac Tan Alligator Top Handle Bag in excellent condition. Genuine dark cognac tan alligator leather exterior trimmed with gold hardware and two ...
Chanel Classic Small Baby Blue RARE 24k GHW Lambskin
By Chanel
Located in Roosendaal, NL
From the collection of SAVINETI we offer this Chanel Classic Flap Small: - Brand: Chanel - Model: Classic Flap Small - Color: Baby Blue - Year: 1991-1994 - Condition: Good Vintage C...
Hermes Birkin 35 Plomb Limited Edition Bag Togo Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Birkin 35 bag featured in rare limited edition Plomb (Off Black). SO chic! Simply a perfect neutral bag that is just shy of the Black which reveals as ...
Piaget Slim 18K Yellow Gold Ref. 2231N36, 18 Jewels, Round Dial, 23mm Watch
By Piaget
Located in New York, NY
Piaget 18K Yellow Gold Ultra-Slim Manual-Wind Watch Ref. 2231N36 with Original Box and Papers A refined example of Piaget’s dedication to timeless elegance and horological excellenc...
Yellow Gold
$1,238Sale Price|44% Off
Size: 40
Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lotus Heels 2004 Pumps Sz 40
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Worn Twice. Only signs of Use is to the Sole, the Uppers are Perfect * Tom Ford Lotus Runway Ad Heels * This was his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent...
$5,597Sale Price|20% Off
Size: IT40
VALENTINO BOUTIQUE Vintage Floral Beaded Black Silk Gown Ruffle Maxi Dress
By Valentino
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Valentino Boutique Vintage 100% silk Jet black silk with beautiful beads, sequins, and threading to create a romantic floral cascading pattern Double v-neck front and back with delic...
BVLGARI Spiga 3 Row Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This stunning ring from Bvlgari's iconic Spiga collection features a flexible 3-row geometric design crafted in 18k yellow gold and set with brilliant-cut round diamonds weighing an ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Valentino Top One Shoulder Ruffle and Bow Trim M
By Valentino
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a Valentino one shoulder top with ruffle and bow trim in silk. Black knit fitted top. Double layer black silk ruffle trims 'neckline'. Signature bow detail at the s...
Chanel Teal Double Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
- Circa 2016/17 - Teal - Exotic leather (Alligator) - Silver-tone hardware - Leather and chain-link shoulder strap - Front flap closure - Signature interlocking CC turn-lock fastenin...
$6,920
H 3.1 in W 3.9 in L 0.8 in
Chanel Waist Classic Flap Rare Vintage 90s Limited Edition Micro Mini Bronze Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Rare Vintage 90's Limited Edition Micro Mini Classic Flap Bag 1991 {VINTAGE 33 Years} Gold Hardware Bronze quilted lambskin leather CC Turnlock Leather lined interior 3.9" W ...
$10,500 / set
H 0.63 in W 0.88 in L 15.5 in
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace Gold Platinum Certificate of A
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Van Cleef & Arpels diamond heart pendant necklace is a refined example of the Maison’s iconic style. The heart-shaped pendant is crafted in platinum, set with closely arranged d...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1998 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Ruby Red Wool Button Front Dress
By Alexander McQueen, Givenchy
Located in Thiensville, WI
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1998 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Ruby Red Wool Knit Fitted Button Front Dress Circa: 1998 Label(s): Givenchy / Couture / Made In France / Paris / 8HG 8520152830 Desig...
$4,809
H 6.11 in D 0.79 in L 7.88 in
Hermès Vintage Pola Purse Clutch Evening Bag 2 ways Black Ostrich Golden Hdw
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Beautiful Authentic Hermès Purse "Pola" Made in France No stamp but vintage Made of Ostrich Leather and Golden Hardware Ostrich is it a resistant leather, and less sub...
Van Cleef & Arpels Ladies Diamond Emerald Yellow Gold Wristwatch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Stamford, CT
The Van Cleef & Arpels Ladies Diamond Emerald Yellow Gold Wristwatch is an exquisite blend of timeless elegance and modern artistry. This luxurious timepiece sparkles with an array o...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BVLGARI Spiga Diamond Pink Rubellite Heart Yellow Gold 3-Row Adjustable Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This stunning ring from Bulgari's iconic Spiga collection features a flexible 3-row design crafted in 18k yellow gold and set with a heart-shaped pink rubellite and brilliant-cut ro...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Hermes Jypsiere 28 Matte Crocodile Niloticus Skin Bag
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Rare Item - Hermes Jypsiere 28 Matte Crocodile Niloticus Skin Bag Crossbody bag crafted from matte crocodile Niloticus skin in Ficelle. Designed with branded, palladium hardware an...
Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (in the brand's logo, it's styled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, Bulgari has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, Bulgari’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932.
The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, Bulgari debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the Bulgari brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage Bulgari jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.