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New Old Stock Manual Wind Watches

Sternwatch Stainless Steel Art Deco New Old Stock Manual Wind Watch, 1930s
Located in Long Beach, CA
absolutely new watch, no box or papers though. I have had it in my collection for 30 years. It still has the
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Arta Yellow Gold Original Dial Manual Wind Watch, 1950s Looks Like New Old Stock
Located in Long Beach, CA
lovely little watch is in new, old stock condition. It keeps great time and can be worn for all type of
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vacheron Constantin NOS Open Face Deck Watch in Silver
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in London, GB
new old stock condition, this piece is an unmatched find and would make an addition or perfect start
Category

20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Silver

1920"s Art Deco Gruen Quadron 15 Jewel, Restored, 14KY Gold Filled
By Gruen
Located in Raleigh, NC
. This was has had the following: A complete tear down service New Stem New Old Stock Crystal
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

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Cartier Tank Must GM Silver Blue Precious
By Cartier
Located in PARIS, FR
Cartier Must model Tank watch in 925/1000 silver, ecru background with blue railway indexes and Roman numerals, quartz movement, blue exotic leather strap, Cartier folding clasp in s...
Category

1990s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Silver, Stainless Steel

Gold Plated Rectangular Art Deco Style Watch w Crocodile Strap by Waltham, 1940s
By Waltham Watch Company
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 9" total length - Rolled gold plate - Dark brown Crocodile leather strap - Mechanical movement - By Waltham - Circa 1940s - Estate acquired - Good vintage co...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Art Deco Back Dial Gents Wristwatch Old Stock, Never Worn, Newly Serviced, 1930
Located in Westward ho, GB
For those gents out there who desire a less than generic looking watch, who aspire for something not only classy but very distinctively Art Deco then this maybe the timepiece for you...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Cartier 1920s Platinum and Diamond EWC Pocket Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Cartier Pocket Watch, 45 M.M. Platinum 3 Piece case with Diamond set case perimeter, approximately 2 Carats. Jeweled Nickel lever mechanical wind movement by EWC, Europea...
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

LeCoultre 14Kt Art Deco Watch circa, 1950's with Original Dial
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: LeCoultre Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Mid Century Design METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 38mm Length X 3...
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Longines Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
By Longines
Located in Berlin, DE
High quality collector's pocket watch by Longines. Including original case. Hallmarked, 18k gold. Extremely rare collector's watch. The clock works. Dial unfortunately damaged betw...
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Longines Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
Longines Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
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Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tank Watch with Original Dial Early 40's
By Hamilton
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Hamilton Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm x Wid...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Patek Philippe 18Kt. Hunters Case Pocket Watch with Flawless Enamel Dial ca 1906
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe et Cie STYLE / REFERENCE: Hunters Case Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1906 / 08 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 50mm Diameter MOV...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Cartier EWC Gold and Enamel 1920s Pocket Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Cartier pocket Watch, 46 MM Diameter and 4.5 MM thick 18K Yellow Gold 2 piece case. Blue and White Guilloche Enamel. Mechanical, Manual wind EWC, European Watch & Clock M...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Emerald Cut Diamond Baguette Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Emerald Cut Diamond Baguette Engagement Ring - GIA. This gorgeous engagement ring is crafted in platinum. The center holds an exceptional emer...
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique IWC Pocket Watch Hunter 14 Karat Gold
By IWC
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid, heavy IWC Pocket Watch Hunter 14 Karat Gold. Pocket watch can be wound and works. Including certificate of authenticity.
Category

20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Illinois Watch Co. Art Deco Gold Filled New Old Stock circa 1920s Original Box
By Illinois Watch Company
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Illinois Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Cushion Shape / Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: White Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 33mm x Width 2...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Rolex Steel Oysterdate with Rare Original Dial and Riveted Bracelet, circa 1956
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oysterdate / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA: 1956 / 1957 DIMENSIONS: Length 41mm X Diameter 34mm MOVEM...
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rectangular Art Deco Style "Olsen" Watch with Leather Strap by Benrus, 1930s
By Benrus
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 9" total length - Gold plated - Dark brown leather strap - Mechanical movement - Inscribed with "J.D.F. Dec 1939" on verso - By Benrus - Circa 1930s - Estate...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Modern Wrist Watches

Waltham Solid Gold Art Deco Tank Style Watch Hand Made from 1940's
By Waltham
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm x Width 21mm MO...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Gruen Gold Filled Art Deco Watch with Original Dial from 1940's
By Gruen
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 592 METAL / MATERIAL: Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 26mm MOVEME...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Recent Sales

Jacques Monnat Stainless Steel Incabloc Chronograph manual wristwatch, c1970s
By Jacques Monnat
Located in West Hollywood, CA
New old stock 1970’s large 39mm diameter, screw back case Jacques Monnat chronograph. With awesome
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

IWC Schaffhausen Lepine Yellow Gold White Dial Pocket Watch Men's Watch 5201-001
By IWC
Located in New York, NY
IWC Schaffhausen Lepine Pocket Watch Model Number: 5201-001 100% Authentic New / Old Stock
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Rolex lady's yellow gold Oyster Perpetual Florentine wristwatch Ref 6551
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
A New Old Stock Ladies Rolex Oyster Perpetual 14k Yellow Gold with Florentine Finish Reference
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Hamilton Platinum "Top Hat" Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Hamilton
Located in Chicago, IL
Diamond set markers. New old stock Kreisler Black Suede Strap. Recently serviced and comes with a one year
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Patek Philippe 7119G Ladies Calatrava Manual Wind, Not Worn
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
in NEW OLD STOCK CONDITION The Watch is accompanied with its original certificate of origin, box and
Category

20th Century Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Original Art Deco Ladies Chrome Wristwatch Old /New Stock, circa 1930
Located in Westward ho, GB
This watch is the last wave of Art Deco watches we sourced this year, an incredible find of old/new
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Original 1930's Art Deco Ladies Wristwatch Old Stock, Never Worn, Newly Serviced
Located in Westward ho, GB
This watch is the last wave of Art Deco watches we sourced this year, an incredible find of old/new
Category

Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Chrome-Plated Visiteur manual Wristwatch, 1960s
By Dubey & Schaldenbrand
Located in Firenze, IT
excellent condition. Strap/Bracelet: In excellent condition.The watch is in new old stock condition.
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Patek Philippe 5098R Rose Gold Gondolo Watch, circa 2010
By Patek Philippe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
in 2010 and is in unused new old stock condition and was never worn. The watch measures 42 x 32 mm
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

Rolex Rose Gold Precision Watch in "Time Capsule" Condition
By Rolex
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An exceptional find! This 1940s Rolex Precision is the epitome of "new-old-stock," "time capsule
Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

Ebel 1970s Yellow Gold Coral and Diamond Ladies mechanical Bracelet Watch
By Ebel
Located in Chicago, IL
Diamonds totaling 2 Carats. Watch length 7 1/8 inches. This watch is "new old stock" never worn and was
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Breguet La Tradition Gents White Gold Open Worked Dial 7057BB/G9/9W6 Watch
By Breguet
Located in London, GB
Breguet box and Papers dated March 2015. N.B. This watch is New Old Stock.
Category

2010s Unknown Wrist Watches

Materials

White Gold

Humbert Ramuz & Co Nos Full Hunter Minute Repeater Chrono Pocket Watch Rose Gold
Located in London, GB
Paris Exhibition. In new old stock condition, this piece is an unmatched find and would make an
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Rose Gold

Vintage Corum Buckingham Large Sterling Mechanical Wristwatch
By Corum
Located in Chicago, IL
Mechanical, Manual Wind movement, White Dial with Black Roman numerals, Sapphire Crown. New old stock
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage 1960s Lip Yellow Rose Gold Manual Wind Watch
Located in London, GB
: New old stock vintage leather strap, 16 mm / 0.62in between lugs
Category

Vintage 1960s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

LeCoultre 1960s Memodate Alarm Mechanical Pocket Watch New Old Stock Never Worn
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s LeCoultre Ararm Pocket Watch, this is absolutely Pristine, new old stock, never used
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Sibon Gilt Bronze Prototype Manual Wind Watch, circa 1970 or 80's One of Five
Located in Long Beach, CA
old stock and still with their original straps. You can see all five in the last image. Naturally
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Sibon Gilt Bronze Prototype Manual Wind Watch, circa 1970 or 80's One of Five
Located in Long Beach, CA
are new old stock and still with their original straps. You can see all five in the last image
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Sibon Gilt Bronze Prototype Manual Wind Watch, circa 1970 or 80's One of Five
Located in Long Beach, CA
. They are new old stock and still with their original straps. You can see all five in the last image
Category

Late 20th Century Wrist Watches

Sibon Gilt Bronze Prototype Manual Wind Watch, circa 1970 or 80's One of Five
Located in Long Beach, CA
set. They are new old stock and still with their original straps. You can see all five in the last
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Sibon Gilt Bronze Prototype Manual Wind Watch, circa 1970 or 80's One of Five
Located in Long Beach, CA
set. They are new old stock and still with their original straps. You can see all five in the last
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Stylish Art Deco Gents Wristwatch Old Stock, Never Worn, circa 1930
Located in Westward ho, GB
what we call 'old new stock', that is to say it's of the period dating to the 1930's but has never been
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Rare Art Deco Gents Wristwatch Old Stock, Never Worn, circa 1930
Located in Westward ho, GB
rare opportunity to acquire a perfect condition Art Deco Gents wrist watch which is what we call 'old
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Rare Art Deco Gents Wristwatch Old Stock, Never Worn, circa 1930
Located in Westward ho, GB
rare opportunity to acquire a perfect condition Art Deco Gents wrist watch which is what we call 'old
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Rare Art Deco Gents Wristwatch Old Stock, Never Worn, circa 1930
Located in Westward ho, GB
rare opportunity to acquire a perfect condition Art Deco Gents wrist watch which is what we call 'old
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Art Deco 1930s Ladies Wristwatch Old Stock, Never Worn, Newly Serviced
Located in Westward ho, GB
This watch is the last wave of Art Deco watches we sourced this year, an incredible find of old/new
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Art Deco 1930's Ladies Wristwatch Old Stock, Never Worn, Newly Serviced
Located in Westward ho, GB
This watch is the last wave of Art Deco watches we sourced this year, an incredible find of old/new
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Elgin Ladies Stainless Steel Manual Bracelet Wristwatch, circa 1933
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
SERVICE COMMITMENT It is rare to find new old stock watches that are so old, and so clean. This piece, in
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Longines by Serge Manzon Large Sterling Midcentury Buckle Watch Never Worn
By Longines
Located in Chicago, IL
adjustable light Brown Leather Strap with Sterling fittings. This watch is New Old Stock, never worn, comes
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Exacta Time Corp Stainless Steel Babe Ruth Mechanical Wristwatch, circa 1948
Located in Chicago, IL
and a sweep seconds hand. The watch comes on a new old stock period tan leather Strap and also comes
Category

Vintage 1940s American Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Corum Buckingham Large Sterling Mechanical Wristwatch
By Corum
Located in Chicago, IL
Mechanical, Manual Wind movement, White Dial with Black Roman numerals, Sapphire Crown. New old stock
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Baum & Mercier Gold Lapis Dial and Diamond Set Ladies Wristwatch
Located in Chicago, IL
length 6 1/4 inches in length. Comes in original Box, this watch is new old stock, never worn and has
Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Vintage Heuer Carrera Chronograph NOS
By Heuer
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This is a vintage Heuer Carrera Chronograph new old stock. This watch has a three register silver
Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Wristwatch Ref. 2426 c. 1950's
By Patek Philippe
Located in Miami Beach, FL
movement. This watch is in new old stock condition. The case is very ornate with hooded lugs, and a gold
Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

Lemania Stainless Steel New Old Stock Wristwatch circa 1950s
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Lemania stainless steel wristwatch with beautiful dial and lugs, from the 1950s. Manual-wind 15
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Wakmann Gigandet Gold-Plated Incabloc Chronograph Wristwatch, circa 1960s
By Wakmann
Located in Miami Beach, FL
case is in great new old stock condition with an original silvered dial. The watch is powered by the
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Tudor Steel Advisor New Old Stock Watch ref# 10050 circa 1970's
By Tudor
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Tudor SS Advisor new old stock unworn watch ref # 10050 serial # 980,xxx circa 1970's. With
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Breitling Pupitre Pult Bullhead Chronograph New Old Stock
By Breitling
Located in West Hollywood, CA
New Old Stock Breitling Pupitre Bullhead manual wind chronograph with Breitling V.7740 jeweled
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Clebar SS 3 Register Manual Wind Chronograph circa 1950's
By Clebar
Located in West Hollywood, CA
luminous arabic indexs and luminous pencil hands. 3 registers manual wind Valjoux 72 movement, mint new old
Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

Heuer Stainless Steel Carrera 1964 Reissue Manual Wind Wristwatch, circa 1990s
By Heuer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
well executed, it can be mistaken as the original. Watch appears to be unworn, new old stock condition
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Precision Dress Model Manual Wind Wristwatch, circa 1960s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
engraved Rolex logo and case serial #s. This watch could well be new old stock! Offered with our 1 year
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Record Rose Gold “Datofix” Wristwatch
By Record Watch Co
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Record Geneve 18K Rose Gold “Datofix” triple calendar with moon phase circa 1950’s in mint new old
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

Wyler stainless steel Alarm “Moderne” Manual Wristwatch, circa 1960s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Wyler stainless steel Alarm, in near new old stock condition with great looking “modern” graphics
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Heuer Stainless Steel Carrera 1964 Reissue Black Dial Manual Wristwatch
By Heuer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
appears to be new old stock condition. Model ref # CS3111.BC0725, featuring 36mm case with screw down case
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mid Century Russian Mechanical Movement Watch. Masonic Emblems
Located in Daylesford, Victoria
Mid Century Russian Mechanical Movement Watch. New Old Stock Masonic Emblems to Face, Gilt on Black
Category

Vintage 1950s Russian Modernist Wrist Watches

Cartier Yellow Gold Tank A Vis Wristwatch Ref W1529451
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
New Old Stock Mens Cartier Tank A Vis in 18k Yellow Gold On Strap W/ Deployment Buckle, Ref
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Omega Flightmaster Chronograph ref. 145.036 circa 1970
By Omega
Located in West Hollywood, CA
black colors and original orange chrongraph hands. Fitted with new old stock Omega SS bracelet. Very
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Omega Steel Ranchero Model ref. 2990-1 circa 1960's
By Omega
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Omega SS Ranchero ref 2990-1 new old stock case with original caseback sticker, new old stock
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Omega Flightmaster Chronograph ref. 145.036 circa 1970
By Omega
Located in West Hollywood, CA
rich gray and black colors and original orange chrongraph hands. Fitted with new old stock Omega
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bulova Rose Gilt Tonneau Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Bulova
Located in West Hollywood, CA
movement with subsidiary seconds. With period new-old-stock rose gilt combination brick link and stretch
Category

Vintage 1940s American Wrist Watches

Materials

Gilt Metal

Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Military Style Wristwatch
By Hamilton
Located in West Hollywood, CA
with subsidiary seconds. Fitted with new old stock canvas military strap with orange bakelite buckle
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, Yellow Gold

BWC Swiss Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch circa 1970s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
pushers and crowns. Mint and unpolished condition, probably new old stock. Offered on your choice of
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Favre-Leuba Stainless Steel Sea Sky Chronograph Wristwatch circa 1970s
By Favre-Leube
Located in West Hollywood, CA
. Powered by a Valjoux 72 manual-wind three-register chronograph. Mint condition example, nearly new-old
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Elgin Base Metal U.S. Military Issue Wristwatch circa WW II
By Elgin
Located in West Hollywood, CA
great medium-size vintage model. Shown on a new old stock vintage military strap, but offered on your
Category

Vintage 1940s American Wrist Watches

Materials

Base Metal

Bucherer Stainless Steel Chronograph Pocket Watch, circa 1960s
By Bucherer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
movement with multi color dial and hands, with display back. Minty new old stock condition. Great moderne
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Pocket Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bulova Rose Gilt Wristwatch circa 1940s
By Bulova
Located in West Hollywood, CA
numbers and blued steel hands. 17-jewel manual-wind movement with subsidiary seconds. With period new-old
Category

Vintage 1940s American Wrist Watches

Materials

Gilt Metal

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Finding the Right wrist-watches for You

Antique, new and vintage 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, new and vintage wristwatches on 1stDibs.

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