Elgin 12s
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
14k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Gold-filled
Vintage 1910s American Art Deco Pocket Watches
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
14k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Pocket Watches
Gold-filled
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Oil, Wood Panel
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Rose Gold
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18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century American Pocket Watches
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Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches
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Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
14k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Pocket Watches
Vintage 1930s American Pocket Watches
14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Gold-filled
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
Brass
Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Pocket Watches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Antique Early 1900s American Pocket Watches
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Gold-filled
1930s Realist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Masonite
Elgin 12s For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Elgin 12s?
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.