IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 Ref. IW328902
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
case on a stainless steel link bracelet. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers dated
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 Ref. IW328902
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
case on a stainless steel link bracelet. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers dated
Stainless Steel
IWC Portofino Automatic Rose Gold Wristwatch Ref. IW353320
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
leather strap secured by an IWC 18k rose gold buckle. Accompanied by a IWC watch box and service papers
Rose Gold
IWC Big Pilot's Watch 43 TOP GUN Ceramic Ref. IW329801
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
case on a black textile strap secured by the IWC folding clasp. Accompanied by the IWC watch box
IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Laureus Limited Edition Ref. IW379507
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box, instruction booklet and warranty card, dated August 2020. Condition
Stainless Steel
IWC Pilots IW326906 "Top Gun" Mens Watch Box Papers
By IWC
Located in Great Neck, NY
IWC Pilots IW326906 "Top Gun" Mens Watch. 41mm black ceramic case. Black ceramic bezel. Black dial
IWC Portuguese Automatic IW500109 Black Dial Steel Mens Watch Box Papers
By IWC
Located in Great Neck, NY
IWC Portuguese Automatic IW500109 Mens Watch. 42mm stainless steel case. Stainless steel bezel
IWC Big Ingenieur IW500501 Watch
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
IWC BIG INGENIEUR WATCH WITH BOX AND PAPERS. *Like-new, pristine condition watch. -Brand: IWC
Stainless Steel
IWC Portofino Automatic IW356504 40mm 18k Rose Gold Leather Box Paper
By IWC
Located in San Diego, CA
Case Size: 40mm Includes: -IWC Box & Papers -Certified Appraisal -1 Year Warranty SKU
Rose Gold
IWC Pilot Chronograph Top Gun Lake Tahoe IW389105 White Ceramic Box Paper
By IWC
Located in San Diego, CA
Crystal: Sapphire Case Size: 44mm Includes: -IWC Box & Paper -Certified Appraisal -1 Year
IWC Pilot Timezoner Le Petit Prince IW395503 46mm Blue Dial Steel Box Paper
By IWC
Located in San Diego, CA
Ceramic Dial: Blue Crystal: Sapphire Case Size: 46mm Includes: -IWC Box & Papers
Steel, Stainless Steel
IWC IW324712 Pilots Mark XVIII Top Gun SFTI Black Ceramic 41mm Box Paper 2022
By IWC
Located in San Diego, CA
Band: Leather Bezel: Ceramic Dial: Black Face: Sapphire Crystal Case Size: 41mm Includes: -IWC
$4,200
H 2.5 in W 6 in D 0.5 in
Mid-century IWC Calatrava Cal. 88 Solid 14K Gold Manual Wristwatch w/ Box
Located in Van Nuys, CA
. The watch is in working condition and includes its original box. The caseback bears a period
Gold
IWC Portuguese Yacht Club IW390204 Box and Papers Black Dial Men's Watch
By IWC
Located in Miami, FL
IWC Portuguese Yacht Club IW390204 Box & Papers Black Dial Men's Watch 45mm
IWC 7 Day Schaffhausen IW500114 Box and Papers 2013 Men's Automatic Watch
By IWC
Located in Miami, FL
IWC 7 Day Schaffhausen IW500114 Box & Papers 2013 Mens Automatic Watch 42mm
IWC Portuguese IW500114
By IWC
Located in Willow Grove, PA
. Comes with IWC Box & Papers. Watch Brand: IWC Series: Portuguese Model #: IW500114 Gender: Men’s
Vintage IWC GST Chronograph in Titanium with Toning Luminescence
By IWC
Located in Warrington, PA
Great IWC Chronograph in titanium Model: GST Chronograph Condition: Excellent Gender: Men Movement
Titanium
IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic TOP GUN Ceramic Ref. IW326906
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
ceramic case on a black textile strap secured by the IWC buckle. Accompanied by the IWC watch box
IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XX Steel Ref. IW328206
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
40mm, stainless case secured by a stainless steel link bracelet. Accompanied by the IWC watch box
Steel
IWC Big Pilot's Watch Heritage Bronze Ref. IW501005
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
IWC buckle. Limited edition of 1,500 watches. Accompanied by the IWC watch box, instruction booklet
Bronze
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 Ref. IW328901
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
case on a stainless steel link bracelet. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box, instruction
Stainless Steel
IWC Big Pilot's Watch TOP GUN Mojave Desert Ref. IW506003
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
folding clasp. Accompanied by the IWC watch box, instruction booklet and warranty card, dated 10/30/2023
Other
IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium Ref. IW395505
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
strap with a rubber inlay secured by the matching IWC buckle. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box
Other
IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Ref. IW503605
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
secured by the IWC steel folding clasp. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box, instruction booklet
Stainless Steel
IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Oceana Ref. IW389404
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
textile inlay secured by the IWC buckle. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box, instruction booklet
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Ref. IW388108
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
secured by the IWC buckle. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box, instruction booklet, and warranty
Titanium
IWC Ingenieur AMG Black Series, Ref. IW322503
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
secured by the IWC buckle. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box, instruction booklet, warranty
Other
IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Le Petit Prince Ref. IW395503
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
steel folding clasp. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box, instruction booklet and warranty card
Stainless Steel
IWC GST Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. IW375619
By IWC
Located in Palm Beach, FL
original IWC watch box, instruction booklet, hang tags and full bracelet (does not come with IWC warranty
Stainless Steel
IWC Schaffhausen Fliegerchronograph Pilot's Watch Suede Strap Orig Box
By IWC
Located in Bozeman, MT
IWC Schaffhausen Fliegerchronograph Aviator (23.3mm) Pilot's Watch Grey Suede Strap, Original Box
Stainless Steel
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic IW390403 Mens Watch Box Papers
By IWC
Located in Great Neck, NY
IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Chronograph Classic IW390403 Mens Watch. 42mm Stainless steel gold
IWC Portugieser IW371611 18K Yellow Gold Mens Watch Box Papers
By IWC
Located in Great Neck, NY
IWC Schaffhausen Potugieser IW371611 Mens Watch. 41mm 18K yellow gold case. 18K yellow gold bezel
Yellow Gold
IWC Stainless Steel Ingenieur Automatic Mens Watch 40mm IW323906 Box and Papers
By IWC
Located in Tustin, CA
automatic movement. It comes with the original IWC box and papers. The watch is in very good condition with
Stainless Steel
IWC Saint Exupery UTC Pilots IW326102 18k WG Brown Dial Mens Watch Box Papers
By IWC
Located in Great Neck, NY
IWC Saint Exupery UTC Pilots IW326102 Mens Watch. 44mm 18K white gold case. 18K white gold bezel
IWC Portofino Chronograph IW391011 42mm 2012 Box & Papers
By IWC
Located in London, GB
IWC Portofino Chronograph IW391011 42mm Steel 2012 Box & Papers Exceptional Condition This IWC
Stunning IWC Portuguese Ref 317415, with Box, Outstanding Condition
By IWC
Located in Canterbury, England
Presented in outstanding condition with only light signs of use from new , we date our IWC
IWC Pilot / FliegerUhr chronograph Ref 3717. Box & Papers, Outstanding Condition
By IWC
Located in Canterbury, England
, comprising inner box, outer card box with stickers detailing reference and serial number, IWC polishing cloth
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 1.66 in W 1.66 in Dm 1.66 in
IWC Spitfire Chronograph IW371702 42mm Silver Dial Box & Papers 2008
By IWC
Located in London, GB
IWC Spitfire Chronograph IW371702 42mm Silver Dial Box & Papers 2008 This beautifully presented
IWC Aquatimer Wristwatch ref IW353803 . Titanium Case / Bracelet, Box & Papers.
By IWC
Located in Canterbury, England
complete with inner box (degraded as typical of IWC boxes of this era), strap adjustment tool and warrant
Titanium
1970 IWC Vintage Mens Full Size "Compressor" Square Watch - Stainless Steel
By IWC
Located in Suwanee, GA
Richemont service center and their brands, the owner of IWC. Box/Papers: BOX - Watch presentation box
Stainless Steel
International Watch Co. Schaffhausen Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Box and Papers
By IWC
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 I.W.C. International Watch Company, Schaffhausen Hunting Case Pocket Watch, 14k Yellow
14k Gold
IWC Pilot IW3706 Black Dial Stainless Steel Box and Booklets
By IWC
Located in San Diego, CA
: -IWC Box & Booklets -Certified Appraisal -1 Year Warranty
Stainless Steel
IWC Stainless Steel Portuguese Annual Calendar Ref IW503501 Box and Papers
By IWC
Located in Miami Beach, FL
IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar Ref IW503501. The oversized 44mm case has an exhibition back
Stainless Steel
IWC Stainless Steel Portuguese Chronograph Wristwatch
By IWC
Located in Greenwich, CT
movement signed IWC. Comes with original IWC watch box and papers, dated December 26, 2007.
Stainless Steel
IWC Big Pilot's Watch Heritage Bronze 'IW501005'
By IWC
Located in Greenwich, CT
authentic- with the case, dial and movement signed IWC Accompanied by the original IWC watch box, booklet
IWC Ceramic Ingenieur AMG Black Series Wristwatch circa 2014
By IWC
Located in Greenwich, CT
. Case, dial and movement signed IWC. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers, dated 2014.
Ceramic
IWC Rose Gold Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch
By IWC
Located in Greenwich, CT
deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers, dated 2011.
18k Gold, Rose Gold
IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days Steel 'IW510202'
By IWC
Located in Greenwich, CT
Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers, dated April 2017 Watchmaker's Condition Report: Runs
IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Platinum 'IW502305'
By IWC
Located in Greenwich, CT
- with the case, dial and movement signed IWC. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers
IWC Platinum Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch
By IWC
Located in Greenwich, CT
, dial and movement signed IWC. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers. The Portuguese
Platinum
Big Pilot's Watch Steel 'IW501001'
Located in Greenwich, CT
. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers, dated April 2018. Watchmaker's Condition Report: Runs
Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Steel 'IW390210'
Located in Greenwich, CT
- with the case, dial and movement signed IWC. Accompanied by the original IWC watch box and papers
IWC Portuguese Chronograph Automatic Steel Watch IW371445 Mint with Box
By IWC
Located in Miami, FL
IWC Portuguese Reference #:IW371445. IWC Portuguese Chronograph Automatic Steel 40 mm Watch
IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Rubber Strap Men’s Watch IWC376705 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Rubber Strap Mens Watch IWC376705 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
IWC Pilot Black Dial Men's Chronograph Watch IW377709 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Pilot Black Dial Men's Chronograph Watch IW377709 Box Card. Automatic self-winding split-second
IWC Pilots Timezoner Top Gun Ceratanium Mens Watch IW395505 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Pilots Timezoner Top Gun Ceratanium Mens Watch IW395505 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
IWC Portuguese Chronograph Blue Dial Steel Mens Watch IW371491 Box Papers
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Portuguese Chronograph Blue Dial Steel Mens Watch IW371491 Box Papers. Automatic self-winding
Steel
IWC Pilot Mark XVIII Heritage Titanium Mens Watch IW327006 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Pilot Mark XVIII Heritage Titanium Mens Watch IW327006 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
Titanium
IWC Portuguese Chronograph Silver Dial Steel Mens Watch IW371401 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Portuguese Chronograph Silver Dial Steel Mens Watch IW371401 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
Silver, Steel
IWC Portuguese Automatic Silver Dial Steel Mens Watch IW500107 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Portuguese Automatic Silver Dial Steel Mens Watch IW500107 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
Silver, Steel
IWC Pilot Saint Exupery Limited Edition Mens Watch IW320104 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Pilot Saint Exupery 44mm Limited Edition Mens Watch IW320104 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Racer IW378509 Silver Dial Men Watch Box & Card 2014
By IWC
Located in Miami, FL
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Racer IW378509 Silver Dial Men Watch 46mm Box&Card2014
Stainless Steel
IWC Ingenieur IW323902 Laureus Edition Men's Automatic Watch with Box and Papers
By IWC
Located in Miami, FL
IWC Ingenieur IW323902 Laureus Edition Mens Automatic Watch W/Box & Papers 40mm
IWC Pilots Timezoner Le Petit Prince Steel Mens Watch IW395503 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Pilots Timezoner Le Petit Prince Steel Mens Watch IW395503 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
Steel
IWC Big Pilots Black Dial Automatic Steel Mens Watch IW500401 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Big Pilots 46mm Black Dial Automatic Steel Mens Watch IW500401 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
Steel
IWC Big Pilots Black Dial Automatic Steel Mens Watch IW500401 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Big Pilots 46mm Black Dial Automatic Steel Mens Watch IW500401 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
Steel
IWC Pilot Perpetual Calendar Blue Dial Steel Mens Watch IW503605 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Pilot Perpetual Calendar Blue Dial Steel Mens Watch IW503605 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
Steel
IWC Pilot Mark XX Black Dial Steel Mens Watch IW328201 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Pilot Mark XX Black Dial Steel Mens Watch IW328201 Box Card. Automatic self-winding movement
Steel
IWC Pilot Mark XVI Black Dial Steel Mens Watch IW325504 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Pilot Mark XVI Black Dial Steel Mens Watch IW325504 Box Card. Automatic self-winding movement
Steel
IWC Big Pilot Prepetual Calendar Brown Dial Men's Watch IW503801 Box Card
By IWC
Located in Atlanta, GA
IWC Big Pilot Prepetual Calendar Brown Dial Mens Watch IW503801 Box Card. Automatic self-winding
18 kt. Pink Gold Omega Honeycomb Ref 2624, Manual Winding
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Lovely 18 kt. Pink Gold Omega Honeycomb Ref 2624, Manual Winding Reference number: 2624 Movement: Manual winding Case: 18 kt. Rose gold, Diameter 35.5 mm thickness 10.6 mm, Dial...
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vacheron Constantin Malte 18k White Gold Skeleton Date Automatic Men's Watch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in New York, NY
This distinguished Vacheron Constantin Malte wristwatch exemplifies Swiss horological excellence with a refined, modern aesthetic. Crafted from solid 18k white gold, the case feature...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe 3520D 18K Yellow Gold Men's Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Patek Philippe 3520D is an elegant timepiece that exemplifies luxury and craftsmanship. It features a 32mm case made of 18K yellow gold, paired with a distinctive hobnail bezel t...
18k Gold
$8,400Sale Price|30% Off
Limited Edition Hublot Unisex MDM Skeleton 18k Yellow Gold Watch Ref. 1512.3
By Hublot
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hublot Unisex MDM Skeleton 18k Watch Ref. 1512.3 Serial # 250419 008/100. Skeleton movement framed with a Roman numeral chapter ring. This limited edition piece is a must have for a...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$7,094
D 0.44 in Dm 1.34 in
18kt Solid Gold Omega Constellation Chronometer Officially Certified, Cal 561
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Omega Constellation Chronometer Officially Certified, 18kt solid gold case, Calibre 561 , Reference 168005 Movement: mechanical movement, automatic self winding, Calibre 561 Functi...
Gold
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time Preowned Custom Wrist Watch
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Florence, IT
Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Reference number: 26120ST.OO.1220ST.03 Model: Royal Oak Dual Time Diameter: 39 mm Color Custom: Black Material: Stainless steel Strap: Stainless s...
Stainless Steel
Bretitling Stainless Steel Chronomat Mens Wristwatch
By Breitling
Located in Stamford, CT
Breitling stainless steel Chronomat men's wristwatch, a masterpiece of precision and style that commands attention. Case diameter 44mm with a total length top to bottom 51mm. Its rob...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Sold|$12,499
H 1.42 in W 0.28 in Dm 1.42 in
Cartier Ronde Louis 18K Rose Gold Diamond Silver Dial Hand Wind Watch WR000651
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned fair condition. Visible Signs of wear on the strap. The original box and papers are not included.
Rose Gold
Vacheron Constantin Vintage Dress Watch Fancy Lugs Yellow Gold
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage men's dress wristwatch in yellow gold by Vacheron Constantin. Featuring a silver dial with a small seconds display at 6 o'clock and fancy lugs. Fitted with plastic glass, a...
Yellow 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
Rolex Yacht-Master Ref.126621
By Rolex
Located in Braintree, GB
Rolex Yacht-Master Oyster Perpetual Date 18kt pink gold and stainless steel men's wristwatch. Comes with a full set of box and papers. Place of origin: Switzerland Period: 2021 Ca...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Bvlgari Scuba Diagono Chronograph 18 Karat Gold Case AC 38 G
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This is an authentic pre-owned luxury watch, Bvlgari Diagono fully serviced and kept in Excellent Condition. There is minor discoloration on crown, as seen it images. Original Box/Pa...
18k Gold
Rolex President Datejust 69178 Ladies 26mm Ruby Diamond Dial 18K Gold Watch
By Rolex
Located in Miami, FL
Rolex President Oyster Perpetual Datejust 69178 factory ruby and diamond dial in 18k yellow gold. Fluted bezel with string diamond and ruby hour markers. Complete with the original...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Omega De Ville 1365 Gold Plated Dress Watch
By Omega
Located in Toronto, CA
Brand: Omega Model: De Ville Reference Number: 1365 Features: Gold Plated-Golden Dial Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Quartz Case Material: Gold Plated- Stainless...
Gold Plate
$18,980
H 1.62 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.62 in
Unworn Rolex Datejust 41mm Steel Mint Green Dial Automatic Mens Watch 126300
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with the original box and papers. 5-year Rolex warranty. Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex Datejust 126300 Model Number: M126300-0014 Movement: Mechanical (Automatic), Rolex C...
Steel
Steel Omega Speedmaster Vintage 1970 's Chronograph Wrist Watch Ref. ST145.022
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Steel Omega Speedmaster Vintage 1970 's Chronograph Wrist Watch Ref. ST145.022 With Omega Extract from The Archives
Stainless Steel, Steel
One of Switzerland’s major luxury watch companies was started by an American who saw the potential of bringing Switzerland’s superb watchmaking into the modern age through industrialized manufacturing and high-precision interchangeable parts. The New Hampshire–born watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones (1841–1916), who founded International Watch Company — known today as simply IWC — in 1868, was interested in “combining all the excellence of the American system of mechanism with the more skillful hand labor of the Swiss.”
Setting up the company with another American watchmaker, Charles Kidder, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Jones used hydropower from the River Rhine for his plant’s machinery. Rethinking watch design would lead to one of IWC’s early successes: the Pallweber pocket watch. Based on an 1883 patent by Austrian watchmaker Josef Pallweber, the watch employed numbered disks for jumping hour and minute displays, making it a pioneer in digital timekeeping.
After Johann Rauschenbach-Vogel took over the watch manufacturer in 1880, four generations of his family led IWC into the 20th century. In 1905, Ernst Jakob Homberger and his brother-in-law Carl Jung — the famed Swiss psychiatrist — acquired IWC. Homberger bought out Jung’s holdings in 1929, and in the 1930s, the company introduced pilot watches, which were particularly robust and aimed solely at the civil aviation industry. These durable wristwatches were designed specifically to remain operational during extreme temperature shifts. (As blue watch dials are particularly hot right now, IWC's blue-dial Big Pilot is having a moment.)
The company still operates alongside the river where it was founded, having gained an international reputation over the past 150 years for its elegant designs and expert craftsmanship. Vintage IWC watches are prized by collectors — of whom there are many these days — and while the company continues to guard its attention to detail and quality, it has pushed its classic designs forward with modern innovation intended to stand the test of time.
IWC’s 2013 Ingenieur watch collection, with its precision based on an inventive constant-force mechanism, looked back to a 1955 Ingenieur model that featured a durable soft-iron inner cage as well as a 1976 update by leading Swiss watch designer Gérald Genta that encased its mechanism in a sleek steel case. IWC has also had a recent push toward sustainability, designing watches that are made to last a lifetime and beyond and earning the highest environmental ranking of any Swiss watch company in a 2018 report published by the World Wide Fund for Nature Switzerland (WWF).
Find vintage IWC wristwatches, Art Deco–style pocket watches and more 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.