Skip to main content

Patek Philippe Square Watches

Patek Philippe Diamond Bezel Gondolo Square Quartz Watch 4868R
Patek Philippe Diamond Bezel Gondolo Square Quartz Watch 4868R

Patek Philippe Diamond Bezel Gondolo Square Quartz Watch 4868R

By Patek Philippe

Located in New York, NY

It shows light signs of wear. Description: This Patek Philippe Gondolo 4868R is an elegant luxury wristwatch featuring a 28mm square gold case with a fixed diamond-set bezel.

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vintage Patek Philippe 18k White Gold 28mm Square 6"  Wrist Watch Bracelet
Vintage Patek Philippe 18k White Gold 28mm Square 6"  Wrist Watch Bracelet

Vintage Patek Philippe 18k White Gold 28mm Square 6" Wrist Watch Bracelet

By Patek Philippe

Located in Montclair, NJ

Watchmaker: Patek Philippe Movement: Mechanical - Hand Winding - Swiss Made Case Material: Solid 18k White Gold Case Width: 26mm (not counting the crown) Case Thickness: 4.7mm Brace...

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

White Gold

Patek Philippe Genève Vintage Square 18K Gold Wristwatch, Circa 1940s
Patek Philippe Genève Vintage Square 18K Gold Wristwatch, Circa 1940s

Patek Philippe Genève Vintage Square 18K Gold Wristwatch, Circa 1940s

By Patek Philippe

Located in Wailea, HI

Patek Philippe Genève Vintage Square 18K Gold Wristwatch, Circa 1940s Exquisite Patek Philippe Reference 2444 "Carré" in 18K Yellow Gold This exceptional Patek Philippe Reference 244...

Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

1940's Patek Philippe Vintage Mens 18K Gold Watch - Very Fine & Rare with Warran
1940's Patek Philippe Vintage Mens 18K Gold Watch - Very Fine & Rare with Warran

1940's Patek Philippe Vintage Mens 18K Gold Watch - Very Fine & Rare with Warran

By Patek Philippe

Located in Suwanee, GA

NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Recent Sales

Patek Philippe 1431J Square Watch
Patek Philippe 1431J Square Watch

Patek Philippe 1431J Square Watch

Unavailable

W 1.07 in L 1.46 in

Patek Philippe 1431J Square Watch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Introduction: This Patek Philippe 1431J vintage square watch 37 x 27mm is fitted with a 10"200 caliber movement #951699.

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe 1566J Square Watch
Patek Philippe 1566J Square Watch

Patek Philippe 1566J Square Watch

Unavailable

W 1.03 in L 1.03 in

Patek Philippe 1566J Square Watch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Introduction: This 1566J Patek Philippe vintage square watch features large fancy lugs and a 18K yellow gold measuring 26 x 26 mm, with 10"-200 caliber manual wind movement #950651 a...

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe 1431J Vintage Square Shape Unisex  with Bracelet, Circa 1951
Patek Philippe 1431J Vintage Square Shape Unisex  with Bracelet, Circa 1951

Patek Philippe 1431J Vintage Square Shape Unisex with Bracelet, Circa 1951

By Patek Philippe

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Introduction: Patek Philippe 1431J, Vintage square watch 37 x 27mm fitted with a 10"200 caliber movement #956208, 18 karat yellow gold square case with long lugs # 664900.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe Square Rose Gold 1574 Watch
Patek Philippe Square Rose Gold 1574 Watch

Patek Philippe Square Rose Gold 1574 Watch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A 26mm Square wristwatch crafted in rose gold by Patek Philippe.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

Patek Philippe Square Vintage Clous De Paris Champagne Dial Manual Wind Watch
Patek Philippe Square Vintage Clous De Paris Champagne Dial Manual Wind Watch

Patek Philippe Square Vintage Clous De Paris Champagne Dial Manual Wind Watch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Mayfair, London, London

An 18k Yellow Gold Square 'Clous De Paris' Vintage Gents Dress Wristwatch, champagne dial with applied hour markers, small seconds at 6 0'clock, a fixed 18k yellow gold 'Clous De Par...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe Rose Gold Square Wristwatch circa 1940s
Patek Philippe Rose Gold Square Wristwatch circa 1940s

Patek Philippe Rose Gold Square Wristwatch circa 1940s

By Patek Philippe

Located in Chicago, IL

Patek Philippe 18k Rose Gold Square Wristwatch, 28 X 28mm Case, Circa 1940s. Manual-Wind Movement, Applied Rose Gold Roman and baton Indexes, Subsidiary Seconds. Signed and Numbered ...

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Square Wristwatch Ref 3405
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Square Wristwatch Ref 3405

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Square Wristwatch Ref 3405

By Patek Philippe

Located in Firenze, IT

18 kt gold, Ref. 3405 movement n° 788998, case n° 2620626 Cal. 23-300 circular nickel-finished lever movement stamped twice with the Geneva seal, Gyromax balance, free sprung regu...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

PATEK PHILIPPE Yellow Gold Stepped Squared Wristwatch Ref 2562
PATEK PHILIPPE Yellow Gold Stepped Squared Wristwatch Ref 2562

PATEK PHILIPPE Yellow Gold Stepped Squared Wristwatch Ref 2562

By Patek Philippe

Located in Chicago, IL

Classic Patek Philippe, Ref. 2562, in an 18k yellow gold stepped square case. Original mint condition gilt dial with raised gold markers. 18-jewel manual-wind movement. Signed and nu...

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Vintage Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Pendant Platinum Estate Jewelry
Vintage Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Pendant Platinum Estate Jewelry

Vintage Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Pendant Platinum Estate Jewelry

By Patek Philippe

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

A Patek Philippe open face square pocket watch with a platinum case.

Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Platinum

Vintage Patek Philippe Watch in Grey Gold with Diamonds
Vintage Patek Philippe Watch in Grey Gold with Diamonds

Vintage Patek Philippe Watch in Grey Gold with Diamonds

By Patek Philippe

Located in Neguri, Vizcaya

A classic Patek Philippe White Gold Squared Dial Watch. Made in Switzerland, circa 1970 Reference 3352 Mouvement 991990 calibre 13,50 and 36 diamonds 0.10ct set around vessel It sho...

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold

Patek Philippe Art Deco Sapphire Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Art Deco Sapphire Wristwatch

Patek Philippe Art Deco Sapphire Wristwatch

By Patek Philippe

Located in New Orleans, LA

Showcasing the quintessential elegance and geometric grace of the Art Deco period, this timepiece was crafted by renowned watchmaker Patek Philippe for the Deco-era jeweler Charlton ...

Category

20th Century Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Patek Philippe Rare Cocktail Dress Watch Vintage Lapis Lazuli Set 4241
Patek Philippe Rare Cocktail Dress Watch Vintage Lapis Lazuli Set 4241

Patek Philippe Rare Cocktail Dress Watch Vintage Lapis Lazuli Set 4241

By Patek Philippe

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Rare 18k Yellow Gold Vintage Women's Dress Wristwatch, lapis lazuli dial, a fixed 18k yellow gold bezel, an 18k yellow gold fancy bracelet set with 22 lapiz lazuli panels, an 18k y...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Patek Philippe Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Square Face Freccero Manual Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Square Face Freccero Manual Wristwatch

Patek Philippe Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Square Face Freccero Manual Wristwatch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Birmingham, AL

This stunning Patek Philippe Frecerro is made in 18k yellow gold with a square face measuring 26mm in both directions.

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe White Gold Square Face Freccero Manual Wind Wristwatch circa 1970
Patek Philippe White Gold Square Face Freccero Manual Wind Wristwatch circa 1970

Patek Philippe White Gold Square Face Freccero Manual Wind Wristwatch circa 1970

By Patek Philippe

Located in Birmingham, AL

This striking watch is a 1970 model Patek Philippe Freccero with an 18 jewel manual wind movement in a 18k white gold case.

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

1940's Patek Phillipe 18K Rose Gold Square Ladies Handwinding Watch
1940's Patek Phillipe 18K Rose Gold Square Ladies Handwinding Watch

1940's Patek Phillipe 18K Rose Gold Square Ladies Handwinding Watch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Washington Depot, CT

Vintage Patek Phillipe Ladies 18K Rose Gold Hand Winding Watch This vintage watch is from the 1940's. Set in 18K rose gold with a solid gold case and buckle / accents. The square ...

Category

Vintage 1940s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Rose Gold

Patek Philippe Ladies Yellow Gold Lapis Lazuli Manual Wristwatch Ref 4241
Patek Philippe Ladies Yellow Gold Lapis Lazuli Manual Wristwatch Ref 4241

Patek Philippe Ladies Yellow Gold Lapis Lazuli Manual Wristwatch Ref 4241

By Patek Philippe

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Rare Yellow Gold Ladies Vintage Wristwatch, lapis lazuli dial, a fixed yellow gold polished bezel, a yellow gold fancy bracelet set with 22 lapiz lazuli panels, a brushed yellow go...

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold 1970's Blue Square Dial Manual Ladies Mens Watch
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold 1970's Blue Square Dial Manual Ladies Mens Watch

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold 1970's Blue Square Dial Manual Ladies Mens Watch

By Patek Philippe

Located in New York, NY

Fine 1970's Patek Philippe Wrist Watch. Suitable for both men and women. Movement: 18J, manual wind, cal. 215, signed Patek Philippe, marked with Geneva Seal, numbered. Movement: R...

Category

20th Century Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Circa: 1944 Patek Philippe Ref 1432 stainless steel Square Wristwatch
Circa: 1944 Patek Philippe Ref 1432 stainless steel Square Wristwatch

Circa: 1944 Patek Philippe Ref 1432 stainless steel Square Wristwatch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Chicago, IL

Patek Philippe stainless steel square wristwatch with tear-drop lugs. 19-jewel manual-wind movement, silvered dial with raised markers and subsidiary seconds. Comes with an Archive e...

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Square Vintage Patek Philippe 18 Karat Solid Gold from 1970, Ref. 3555
Square Vintage Patek Philippe 18 Karat Solid Gold from 1970, Ref. 3555

Square Vintage Patek Philippe 18 Karat Solid Gold from 1970, Ref. 3555

By Patek Philippe

Located in Antwerp, BE

Square Vintage Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid Gold From 1970 with Extract from the Archives Reference: 3555 Movement: Manual winding Caliber: 175 Case: 18kt Yellow gold, Dimensions 27...

Category

Vintage 1970s Artisan Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Patek Philippe Ref. 1486 Square Dress Watch in 18K Rose Gold
Patek Philippe Ref. 1486 Square Dress Watch in 18K Rose Gold

Patek Philippe Ref. 1486 Square Dress Watch in 18K Rose Gold

By Patek Philippe

Located in Miami Beach, FL

A beautiful patek Philippe square dress watch from the late 1940s.

Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

PATEK PHILIPPE Yellow Gold Square Wristwatch Ref 2488 circa 1950s
PATEK PHILIPPE Yellow Gold Square Wristwatch Ref 2488 circa 1950s

PATEK PHILIPPE Yellow Gold Square Wristwatch Ref 2488 circa 1950s

By Patek Philippe

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Patek Philippe Ref. 2488 in an 18k yellow gold square case, an original silver dial with radial gold indexes, subsidiary seconds at the 6 o’clock, and a manual wind movement. 28x35mm

Category

Swiss Wrist Watches

Patek Philippe Rare Yellow Gold Square Wristwatch Ref 3485 circa 1950s

Patek Philippe Rare Yellow Gold Square Wristwatch Ref 3485 circa 1950s

By Patek Philippe

Located in Miami Beach, FL

This has an automatic movement with an 18k gold rotor which is very unusual for a square watch by Patek Philippe from this time period.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Patek Philippe Square 18k Yellow Gold Wristwatch Ref 3528/2
Patek Philippe Square 18k Yellow Gold Wristwatch Ref 3528/2

Patek Philippe Square 18k Yellow Gold Wristwatch Ref 3528/2

By Patek Philippe

Located in Surfside, FL

Circa 1967. Fine Pre-owned Patek Philippe Watch. Certified preowned Vintage Patek Philippe Square 3528/2 watch is made out of yellow gold on a 18k bracelet with a 18k tang buckle.

Category

Vintage 1960s Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Patek Philippe 2424J Jumbo Square "Flame" Lugs Watch
Patek Philippe 2424J Jumbo Square "Flame" Lugs Watch

Patek Philippe 2424J Jumbo Square "Flame" Lugs Watch

By Patek Philippe

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Introduction: This Patek Philippe 2424J vintage Over Size Watch has an 18K Yellow Gold oversized 44 x 30 mm square case with "Flame" Lugs.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe 1566R Square Watch Rose Gold Circa 1947
Patek Philippe 1566R Square Watch Rose Gold Circa 1947

Patek Philippe 1566R Square Watch Rose Gold Circa 1947

By Patek Philippe

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Introduction: This 1566R Patek Philippe vintage square watch features large fancy lugs and a 18K rose gold measuring 26 x 26 mm, with 10"-200 caliber manual wind movement.

Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe 2436R Rose Gold Stepped Square Watch Circa 1952
Patek Philippe 2436R Rose Gold Stepped Square Watch Circa 1952

Patek Philippe 2436R Rose Gold Stepped Square Watch Circa 1952

By Patek Philippe

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Introduction: This Patek Philippe 2436R square watch features a 18K rose gold large square 40 x 30 mm case with a step bezel and large fancy lugs.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe Early Yellow Gold Art Deco Square Tank Watch, circa 1912
Patek Philippe Early Yellow Gold Art Deco Square Tank Watch, circa 1912

Patek Philippe Early Yellow Gold Art Deco Square Tank Watch, circa 1912

By Patek Philippe

Located in Santa Monica, CA

Introduction: Early Patek Philippe 1912 square Tank style watch in 18K yellow gold case with applied gold Breguet numerals on the dial.

Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Square Manual Wind Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Square Manual Wind Wristwatch

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Square Manual Wind Wristwatch

By Patek Philippe

Located in New York, NY

Patek Philippe 18K Yellow Gold Square Vintage Manual Wind Watch Factory Original Silver Toned Dial with Applied Gold Colored Hour Markers 18K Yellow Case 32mm x 28mm Patek Philippe M...

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Patek Philippe Square Watches", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Patek Philippe Square Watches For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a broad range of patek philippe square watches for sale on 1stDibs. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from 18k Gold, Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. There are many different pieces in our collection of patek philippe square watches to choose from, but Retro and Artisan patek philippe square watches are of considerable interest. There aren’t many items for women in our collection of patek philippe square watches, as most of the options available are for men.

How Much are Patek Philippe Square Watches?

Prices for patek philippe square watches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $4,495 and can go as high as $24,500, while patek philippe square watches, on average, fetch $13,000.

Patek Philippe for sale on 1stDibs

It shouldn’t be surprising that a Patek Philippe holds the world auction record for a watch ($31.2 million for a Patek Grandmaster Chime, sold at Christie’s). Known for impeccable craftsmanship and some of the most complicated timepieces ever created, the brand is considered by many to be the height of fine watchmaking. Collectors simply love Patek Philippe watches.

The house was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. Czapek left the firm, and in 1845, Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Catering to the glitterati of Europe, the pair counted among their clients Tolstoy, Pope Pius IX and Queen Victoria, as well as Countess Koscowicz of Hungary, for whom they created the first Swiss-made wristwatch in 1868. They also had their eye on the American market and in 1851 entered an arrangement with Tiffany & Co. still in effect today.

During the Great Depression, brothers Jean and Charles Stern, who had previously supplied Patek Philippe with watch dials, bought the company, and it continues to be run by the Stern family today.

Under the Sterns, the house has developed some of its most famous models, including the Calatrava, an elegantly minimal dress watch introduced in 1932 and named for the Calatrava Cross (the company’s logo since 1887), and the Nautilus, the brand’s first sports watch, conceived by legendary designer Gérald Genta in 1976.

Despite the house’s longevity, it’s rumored that it has manufactured fewer than a million Patek watches, making each one all the more coveted. (The brand's pieces are understandably attractive to counterfeiters — make sure you know how to spot a fake Patek Philippe watch.)

Find authentic Patek Philippe watches, cufflinks, bracelets and more on 1stDibs today.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

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.

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.