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Observatory Watch

Rolex Stainless Steel Early Oyster Perpetual with Original Dial from 1951
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
stating it was checked as an observatory watch and rated as such. We seldom see this model with this dial
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

V Rare Rolex Prince Art-Deco c1939 Observatory Grade Rose Gold “Doctors” Watch
By Rolex
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
circa 1939 Old magazine ads described this timepiece as “a watch for men of distinction” and also
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Rose Gold

Recent Sales

Vintage Rolex Prince Observatory Doctor's Stainless Steel Watch, 1930s
By Rolex
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1930's Vintage Rolex Prince Observatory Steel Doctor's watch with Two Tone Silver and Gray Dial
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Wrist Watches

Rolex Prince Imperial Observatory Quality Bi-Colour Gold Dress Pocket Watch 1930
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
Rolex Prince Imperial 9ct Bi-Colour Gold Keyless Lever Dress Pocket Watch with Glasgow import
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Omega 18 Karat Gold Constellation Observatory Chronometer, circa 1950-1960
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
COMMITMENT This is one of Omega's legendary watches, the Constellation. The watch is adjusted to 5 positions
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Rolex A 9CT Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Open Face Observatory Quality Pocketwatch
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
Observatory quality pocket watch. It is very rare to find Rolex pocket watches with their original
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vacheron Constantin Historiques Chronometre Royal 1907 Rose Gold 86122/000r-9362
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in London, GB
the Historiques collection - commemorating the 100th anniversary of the brand's first observatory
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Royalite Observatory Wristwatch circa 1942
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel Oyster Royalite Observatory wristwatch scarce WWII-era model with exceptional
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Royalite Observatory Wristwatch circa 1942
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rolex stainless steel Oyster Royalite Observatory wristwatch, serial number 227,XXX, circa 1942/43
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Rolex Oyster Everest Observatory Ref# 4647, circa 1940s
By Rolex
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Scarce model vintage Rolex Oyster Everest Observatory model ref 4647 circa 1940’s. Featuring a 30
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rare 18k Gold Rolex Observatory Prince Imperial Dress Pocket Watch, circa 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Carlisle, GB
This beautiful rare and very fine quality 45mm diameter gold pocket watch is in good working
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

People Also Browsed

Rolex Rare Gold Shell Oyster Perpetual from 1952 Oversized Bubble Back Movement
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6334 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Shell CIRCA / YEAR: 1953 / 54 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm...
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Patek Philippe 18kt. Rose Gold Late Art Deco Round Original Dial from 1940s
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe et Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Art Deco / Reference 2494 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Rose Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 41 Length X 33 D...
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Rolex Stainless Steel Classic Oysterdate with Original Dial, circa Late 1960's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oysterdate / Reference 6694 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Late 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm x Diam...
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Rolex Precision Steel Wristwatch, c1945
By Rolex
Located in London, GB
Vintage Rolex Precision wristwatch dated Circa 1945. Snap back Stainless Steel case with tapered, teardrop, overlaid fancy lugs. Rolex, 17-Rubies (Jewels) precision lever escapemen...
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel

Rolex Precision Steel Wristwatch, c1945
Rolex Precision Steel Wristwatch, c1945
$17,613
H 0.36 in W 1.66 in Dm 1.34 in
Bvlgari Tubogas 18K Tri Tone BB 19 1T Serpenti Round Black Dial Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Serpenti watches from Bvlgari combine the finest Italian design with sophisticated mechanisms to create timepieces of breath-taking beauty and elegance. Bvlgari Tubogas ladies' watc...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

John Galliano Pink Bias-Cut Satin Evening Dress with Rhinestone Straps, SS 2002
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
John Galliano, Spring-Summer 2002. Bias-cut evening dress in rose-toned crepe-back satin. The fitted bodice features a draped cowl neckline, with rhinestone-embellished straps. The g...
Category

Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Mercedes Stainless Steel Post WWII Vintage Wrist Watch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
In mint condition, enjoy this post WWII Style Mercedes Winder 32mm Men's Wrist Watch. With a pristine linen face, the gold tone hands and matchstick indexes are sleek and easy to rea...
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel, Steel

Rare Men's and Ladies Hublot Sapphire Ruby Diamond 18k Gold Wristwatches
By Hublot
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Men's Hublot Wristwatch with Sapphire Bezel and Indexes Ref. 1522.3.081 Serial 282623 features a 37 mm x 44mm 18k yellow gold case, with a pave set diamond dial on a black rubber str...
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch from 1952
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6106 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Perpetual Winding / 20 Jewels / Caliber 645 DIAL / HANDS: Original Matte...
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Post-War Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

The Estee Lauder Van Cleef & Arpels Important Retro Ruby Diamond Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Retro Ruby, Diamond Necklace. An 18k yellow gold and platinum necklace, set with oval and cabochon rubies and diamonds, signed Van Cleef & Arpels. Dimensions appro...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Retro More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Rolex Steel Rare Super Oyster Model with Original Dial from the Mid 1950's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Reference 6202 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1954 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm x Diameter 34mm MOV...
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual from 1957 with Original Patinated Dial
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 6532 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1957 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diamet...
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Perpetual With Factory Original Dial from 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual / Reference 1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm x Diam...
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bulgari Rome Elizabeth Taylor Style Colombian Emerald Diamond Necklace Set
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari Rome Elizabeth Taylor Style Colombian Certified Emerald Diamond NecklaceDetaches Into Two Bracelets and Detachable Pendant An 18k yellow gold necklace was set with sixteen ...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Valentino Romantic Tulle Evening Gown Spring/Summer 2018 Size 38IT
By Valentino
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Valentino Romantic Tulle Evening Gown Spring/Summer 2018 Size 38IT
Category

2010s Italian Evening Gowns

Rolex Steel Oyster with Rare Original Dial from 1946
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster / Reference 4365 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1946 DIMENSIONS: Length 39mm X Diameter 34mm MOVEMENT...
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

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Observatory Watch For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the observatory watch you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, yellow gold and steel. Find an antique version now, or shop for 12 vintage or 2 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. You’re likely to find the perfect observatory watch among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic observatory watch over the years, but those made by Omega, Rolex and Thomas Russell & Son are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Finding an observatory watch for sale for men should be easy, but there are 2 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as women, too.

How Much is a Observatory Watch?

The price for an observatory watch starts at $1,959 and tops out at $55,435 with these watches, on average, selling for $7,680.

Finding the Right Wrist-watches for You

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.