$9,520Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex 18k Solid Gold Ref 8940 Mens 1960s 36mm Manual Wind Dress Watch RA706
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic luxury, Men's 18k solid gold Rolex ref.8940 manual wind jumbo dress watch, c.1960s, in excellent working condition.
18k Gold
Rolex Datejust II 41mm 116333 Wimbledon Dial Two Tone Oyster With Papers
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Fixed yellow gold-tone 18kt yellow gold bezel. Grey dial with rolex calibre 3136 hands and Roman numeral hour markers.
Gold, Stainless Steel
$9,360Sale Price|20% Off
Mens Rolex Ref 1503 Oyster Perpetual Date 18k Gold Automatic 1960s Rjc156r
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxurious classic, Men's 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref.1503 automatic, c.1960s.
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Oysterdate Precision Ref. 6694 Blue Dial 34mm Stainless Steel Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
The blue dial is fitted with an applied gold Rolex crown, applied gold baton hour markers with luminous plots, matching gold hands, and the "ROLEX," "OYSTERDATE," and "PRECISION" sig...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1981 Rolex Day-Date 18038 18K Yellow Gold Champagne Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Definitive Yellow Gold Rolex This 1981 example is the quintessential Day-Date.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Oyster Solid 18k Gold Ladies 1930s Manual Wind Cocktail Watch RA639
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare, luxurious elegance solid 18k gold Rolex Lady Oyster cocktail watch, c.1938, unrestored dial, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 Blue Dial Steel 1977 Leather Strap Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
This vintage Rolex Oysterdate Precision reference 6694 features a striking blue dial with applied gold-tone baton indices, gold Rolex crown logo, and a date aperture at 3 o'clock, ho...
Stainless Steel
Rolex 1803 Oyster Day Date 18k Gold Mens 1970s 36mm Diamond Automatic RA659B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Iconic luxury, 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster Day-Date ref.1803 "The President" with diamond hour set, c.1973, in excellent working condition!
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Precision Ref 4431 18k Rose Gold Mens 1940s 33mm Manual Wind RA689
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare, timeless treasure 18k solid rose gold Rolex Precision ref 4431 fancy lugs manual wind dress watch, c.1946, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex GMT-Master II Wristwatch
By Rolex
Located in New Orleans, LA
Model: GMT Master II Movement: Caliber 3285 Case: 40 mm Case Material: 18K white gold Dial Material: Meteorite Complications: Dual time zone (GMT) function, 24-hour rotating bezel an...
Mens Rolex Oyster Datejust 1601 14k Gold Diamond Dial Automatic 1960s RA412B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Striking luxurious classic, Men's 14k solid gold Rolex 1601 Oyster Perpetual Datejust automatic diamond dial and bezel, c.1968, in excellent working condition.
14k Gold
$11,920Sale Price|20% Off
Mens Rolex Oyster Datejust 1601 14k Gold Automatic Diamond Bezel 1960s RA412
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A stunning classic, Men's solid 14k gold Rolex 1601 Oyster Perpetual Datejust automatic with diamond dial and bezel, c.1968, in excellent working condition.
14k Gold
Rolex Precision 14k Solid Gold Mens Manual Wind Dress Watch 1950s Vintage RA709
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage treasure, rare 14k solid gold Rolex Oyster Precision manual wind dress watch, c.1958, in excellent working condition.
14k Gold
Vintage 1990 Rolex Day-Date 18238 18K Yellow Gold Ivory Roman Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A More Subtle Shade Of Gold The Day-Date 18238 is a cornerstone reference for Rolex, representing the introduction of the highly practical double quickset movement.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1978 Rolex Date 1503 14K Yellow Gold Champagne Dial Automatic 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Sophisticated Entry Into Solid Gold This is for the person who wants the prestige of a solid gold Rolex but prefers a look that is more refined and less aggressive than an 18K Pre...
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1995 Rolex Day-Date 18238 18K Yellow Gold Black Diamond Dial Auto 36mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The President With An Edge This Day-Date is for the person who respects the institution of the solid gold Rolex but wants a version with more presence.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1976 Rolex Cellini 18K YG 3804 Manual Wind Champagne Dial 30mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Gold Minimalist Execution From 1976 The Rolex Cellini 3804 represents a specific era when Rolex leaned into formal design without the constraints of the Oyster case.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1974 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 18K YG 1503 Auto Champagne 34mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Foundation In Solid Gold The Oyster Perpetual Date is a foundational reference, representing a pure expression of Rolex's core technologies.
Gold
Rolex President 8385 18K Yellow Gold 20mm Bracelet 55B End Links
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The Rarity Of Premier Standalone Components Finding an authentic, period-correct standalone 18k yellow gold Rolex President bracelet in excellent structural health is increasingly u...
Rolex 3372 Chronometre Rose Gold SS Men 1940s 32mm Automatic Bubbleback RA750B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare and historic Rolex Perpetual Ref.3372 with solid rose gold bezel, c.1947, unrestored dial, in excellent working condition.
Gold, Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex 6827 Oyster Datejust 18k Solid Gold 30mm 1980s Midsize Automatic RA732B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxurious classic, 18k solid gold Men's midsize Rolex ref.6827 Oyster Perpetual Date automatic, c.1981, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 18038 Champagne Diamond Dial 18K Gold 36mm Circa 1978 Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date ref. 18038 in 18K yellow gold, circa 1978, featuring a champagne dial with diamond and baguette hour markers, fluted 18K yellow gold bezel, automatic ...
Diamond, Gold
Rolex Oyster Ref 6605 Datejust 18k Gold 36mm Mens 1960s Date Automatic RA701B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare timeless treasure, 18k solid gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref.6605 Datejust automatic, c.1960, in excellent working condition.
18k Gold
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex perpetual 3372 Rose Gold SS Men Rare 1940s 32mm Bubbleback Automatic RA750
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare and historic Rolex Perpetual Ref.3372 with solid rose gold bezel, c.1947, unrestored dial, in excellent working condition.
Gold, Rose Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1979 Rolex Date 1503 14K YG Champagne Dial Auto 34mm Head Only
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A Sophisticated Entry Into Solid Gold This is for the person who wants the prestige of a solid gold Rolex but prefers a look that is more refined and less aggressive than an 18K Pre...
14k Gold
$9,520Sale Price|20% Off
Mens Rolex Ref 1503 Oyster Perpetual Date 18k Solid Gold Automatic 1960s RJC156
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Timeless luxury, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref.1503 solid 18k gold automatic, c.1960s.
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1986 Rolex Lady Datejust 69178 18K YG Birch Wood Dial Auto 26mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
The combination of a flawless organic dial, a sharp gold case, and original Rolex papers makes for a very compelling and complete package.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex perpetual 4134 18k Rose Gold Rare Mens Jumbo 37mm Automatic 1940s RA691
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare, vintage classic Rolex Perpetual Ref.4134 in luxurious solid 18k rose gold, c.1945, unrestored dial, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex President Day Date 1803 18k Solid Gold 1970s Mens Diamond Automatic RA659
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Luxury icon, Rolex 18k solid gold Day-Date ref.1803 "The President" with diamond hour set, c.1973, in excellent working condition!
Gold, 18k Gold
Rolex Datejust 6917 26mm 18K Gold President Diamond Bezel Black Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex Lady Datejust 6917 18K Yellow Gold President Diamond Bezel Watch with Original Dial and Hands Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust “President” ref. 6917, circa 1977, featur...
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
Rolex Datejust 16233 Blue Gradient Factory Diamond Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
This Datejust has the classic two-tone Rolex profile, combining stainless steel with warm 18K yellow gold accents.
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Precision Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 33mm vintage Rolex Precision in yellow gold. Features a champagne dial with Roman numerals and small seconds display.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Cellini 18k Yellow Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A refined expression of classic Swiss watchmaking, this Rolex Cellini 18k Yellow Gold Watch captures understated elegance through its balanced proportions and meticulous detailing.
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Links 16MM Rose Gold
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Men's Original Rolex Links Condition New 18K Rose Gold Dimension 16mm
Rose Gold
Rolex Oyster 16013 Datejust 36mm 18k SS Linen Dial Mens 1970s Automatic RA393C
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gold Rolex crown. 27-jeweled Rolex cal.3035 COSC automatic movement, quickset date feature, cleaned and serviced, in excellent running condition.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
1961 Rolex Vintage Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird Datejust Mens Watch, 1625 - SS, Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
Prior to the introduction of the Day-Date President, the solid gold Turn-O-Graph represented the pinnacle of the Rolex catalog.
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
1951 Rolex Precision 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Bracelet Watch Original Rolex Box
By Rolex
Located in Santa Monica, CA
1951 Rolex Precision 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Bracelet Watch with Original Rolex Box An elegant vintage Rolex Precision ladies wristwatch dating to circa 1951, crafted in solid 18K y...
Yellow Gold
Rolex Datejust Steel-Gold 36mm
By Rolex
Located in Berlin, BE
Indulge in the splendor of the wondrous Rolex Datejust steel gold 36mm, an embodiment of sophistication, heritage, and remarkable craftsmanship.
Gold, Steel
Vintage ROLEX Oyster Watch. Rolex ref 4365. 1940s Gold Capped Mens Rolex watch.
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage Rolex Oyster Mens Watch Just underwent Full Service - Ready To Go Stainless Steel Case that is Gold Filled Capped ref.4365 Circa 1946 Condition: Windup Movement.
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Precision Rose Gold 9522
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 36mm vintage Rolex "Flying Saucer" Precision in rose gold. Features a rose champagne dial with a small seconds display.
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Link in 18K Yellow Gold 10mm
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex Link 18K Yellow Gold Dimension 10mm Condition New
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Precision Yellow Gold 4613
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
This timeless Rolex Precision wristwatch is crafted in elegant yellow gold, showcasing an aged silver dial with applied arabic hour markers.
18k Gold
Rolex Date Vintage Yellow Gold 1503
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A mens vintage Date in yellow gold by Rolex. Featuring a champagne dial with applied hour markers, a date aperture and a fixed yellow gold bezel.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Precision Chameleon Yellow Gold 8788
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Two additional Rolex straps (brown & black), both with gold plated Rolex pin buckles are also provided.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,416Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Oyster Datejust Ref 16013 36mm 18k SS 1980s Mens Automatic Vintage NA106B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gold Rolex crown. 27-jeweled Rolex cal.3035 COSC automatic movement, quickset date feature, cleaned and serviced, in excellent running condition.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex 18K Yellow Gold Day Date 36mm Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
An enduring symbol of prestige and refined craftsmanship, this vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is crafted in 18K yellow gold and features the iconic fluted bezel that has bec...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Day-Date 40 Rose Gold 228235
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning unworn Day-Date, crafted in 18k rose gold by Rolex. Featuring a sun dust stripe motif dial with applied hour markers.
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex 5015 Oyster Perpetual 14k SS Mens 1940s 32mm Bubble Back Automatic RA690B
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare, timeless classic Rolex 14k gold and stainless steel Oyster Perpetual 5015 Bubble Back Automatic, c.1940s, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Daytona Cosmograph 116505 18K Rose Gold
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Rolex Daytona 116505 Mens Watch. 40mm 18K rose gold case with 18K rose gold bezel.
18k Gold
$24,780Sale Price|20% Off
Rolex Datejust 18k Yellow Gold Automatic Ladies Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite Rolex Datejust ladies watch, crafted in solid 18k yellow gold, epitomizes timeless elegance and horological precision.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Daytona Cosmograph 116505 18K Rose Gold
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Rolex Daytona 116505 Men's Watch. This watch features a 40mm case and bezel made of 18K rose gold.
18k Gold
Rolex Daytona Rose Gold Meteorite Dial Unworn 126515LN
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A luxurious Everose gold Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126515LN by Rolex, featuring a striking meteorite dial with applied luminous hour markers and contrasting black sub-dials.
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rolex Stainless Steel & 18ct Yellow Gold Datejust 26mm
By Rolex
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
A timeless Rolex Datejust 26mm wristwatch crafted in stainless steel and 18ct yellow gold, featuring the iconic Jubilee bracelet, fluted yellow gold bezel, and an elegant rose diamon...
Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold
Genuine 18k Rolex 6619 Oyster Perpetual Watch. Ladies ROLEX 18k Yellow Gold.
By Rolex
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Ref. 6619 18k Yellow Gold Case. 25mm Rolex Automatic Movement Condition: Excellent Condition for the age.
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Rolex Daytona White Gold Racing Dial 116509
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Cosmograph Daytona crafted in white gold by Rolex. Featuring a silver racing dial with red detailing.
18k Gold, White Gold
Rolex Oyster 1005 Champagne Dial Gold Vintage Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34mm reference 1005 champagne dial, fluted bezel, and set in 14k yellow gold.
18k Gold
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 5015 14k SS Mens 1940s 32mm Bubble Back Automatic RA690
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare, timeless classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref 5015 Bubble Back Automatic with 14k solid gold bezel, c.1940s, in excellent working condition.
Gold, 14k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Yellow Gold Manual Wind Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Rolex Wrist Watch, 31 M.M x 4.5 M.M thick 2 piece 14k Yellow Gold case, 17 jewel, caliber 1600 mechanical, manual wind nickle lever movement.
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rolex Vintage Square Precision Yellow Gold 8726
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage Square Precision in yellow gold by Rolex. Features a silver dial with a brick style pattern and small seconds at 6 o'clock.
Yellow Gold
Rolex Speckled Gold Dial 33MM 18K Gold Precision Leather Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
An extremely unique Rolex speckled gold and black dial 33mm Precision model watch in 18k gold.
18k Gold
While the rise in popularity of vintage Rolex watches is of no surprise to aficionados, collectors and industry experts, when it comes to contemporary luxury wristwatches, Rolex is also often the first brand that springs to mind. Not only is the company revered for its precision timekeeping and impeccable craftsmanship, but its name was designed to be memorable.
Rolex's enviable worldwide recognition can be credited in part to the genius of company founder Hans Wilsdorf. When the German-born watch dealer and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, set up their London enterprise, in 1905, they called it Wilsdorf & Davis, according to the traditional formula.
But Wilsdorf was determined to come up with another name that was short, would look good on a watch dial and was easy to say and remember in several languages. In 1908, he trademarked the name Rolex, and by 1920, he had moved the company to Geneva and redubbed it as Montres Rolex S.A.
But the main reasons for the brand’s success are its aforementioned commitment to precision and unflagging pursuit of innovation. In 1926, the company introduced the aptly named Oyster model. With a screw-down crown and case back, both fitted with rubber gaskets, this was the first truly waterproof watch.
Five years later, Rolex upped the ante with the Oyster Perpetual. That model’s patented Perpetual movement contained a rotor mechanism enabling it to self-wind. In another trendsetting move, in 1945, the brand debuted the Datejust, with a date window prominently displayed on the dial.
The company’s two most iconic models are sports watches. Although the Submariner, which debuted in 1953, was developed as a dive watch, its waterproof case, solid construction and good looks made it a favorite of adventurers and urbanites alike, including James Bond, who wore it in classics like Dr. No and Goldfinger. The Daytona, the racing chronograph made famous by Paul Newman, is especially sought after by collectors. Newman’s personal Daytona, which hit the auction block in 2017, sold for $17.8 million.
Find vintage Rolex watches, bracelets and more on 1stDibs.
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.
A fresh palette of dial colors and technological advances have elevated this classic watch model.
The watch has transformed several times over, but it’s still undeniably a classic.
This is perhaps the least subtle version of the Submariner.
If you think this looks like the Rolex Kermit, you're correct.
This model was designed for lefties.
Learn the devious techniques that counterfeiters use to sell inauthentic pieces at authentic prices. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller of Rolex watches is highly vetted.
From understanding the models to choosing among vintage, pre-owned and new watches, here’s our expert advice on finding the best Rolex for you.
As the cache goes on display at London’s Design Museum, we speak to its enigmatic owner about some of his rarest acquisitions.