FLATO Platinum and Diamond Travel Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This unusual watch clock was created by Paul Flato in New York in the 1930s.
Vintage 1930s American Pocket Watches
Diamond, Platinum
FLATO Platinum and Diamond Travel Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This unusual watch clock was created by Paul Flato in New York in the 1930s.
Diamond, Platinum
Paul Flato Imperio Gold Coin Pendant Brooch Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950 Paul Flato Iconic Gold Coin Watch, measuring 2 3/8 inches in length and 1 3/4 inches wide.
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
Rare Paul Flato Imperio Mexicano 1866 One Peso Solid 18k Gold Pendant Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in St. Louis, MO
This extraordinarily rare and highly important vintage Paul Flato convertible pendant-brooch watch is a spectacular relic from the legendary designer’s celebrated Mexican period, cir...
Crystal, Gold
Retro Flato gold, ruby, and diamond hand brooch watch
By Paul Flato
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to Paul Flato. 2 5/8" wide, 3 1/8" long; watch face 11mm wide.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
PAUL FLATO Skeleton Pocket Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in Chicago, IL
Retailed by Paul Flato this 1940s pocket watch is Chromium steel with See Through Plexi Glass front and back, manual wind 15 jewel Marvin watch company Movement.
Stainless Steel
PAUL FLATO Gold Ribbed Case Wrist Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in Chicago, IL
Wonderful 14K Yellow Gold Ribbed case Wrist watch by Paul Flato, 17 Jewel Swiss Manual Wind Movement, Gold Dial with Raised Gold Markers, original brown Lizard strap.
14k Gold
Paul Flato Lady's Yellow Gold Peso Manual Wind Pendant Brooch Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Paul Flato 18K Yellow gold pendant brooch watch made from a Gold Mexican Peso.
18k Gold
Paul Flato Yellow Gold Sterling Silver Brooch Pendant Manual wind Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950s Paul Flato Brooch Pendant watch, 14K Yellow Gold and Sterling silver and fashioned from an 1866 Mexican Peso Coin.
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
PAUL FLATO Sterling Silver "Purse" Purse Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in New York, NY
Realistically designed as a lady's handbag (it stands upright as an object), the hinged purse opening to reveal a watch, signed Flato for Paul Flato, stamped Sterling and Pat.Pend., ...
Sterling Silver
1960s Paul Flato Imperio Mexicano Brooch Pendant Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in San Francisco, CA
From the distinguished and colorful "Jeweler To The Stars" Paul Flato -formerly of Hollywood, NYC and Mexico City - comes this coveted, signature jewel - a combination timepiece broo...
18k Gold
Paul Flato Gold "Imperio Mexicano 1 Peso" Pendant Watch
By Paul Flato
Located in Greenwich, CT
Case signed Paul Flato, circa 1960s.
22k Gold, 18k Gold
Paul Flato Yellow Gold Mexican Peso Pocket Watch circa 1950s
By Paul Flato
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Flato 18k yellow gold pocket watch with openwork dial cut from an antique peso crested with the Mexican Imperial Coat of Arms, circa 1950s, locking pin back with pendant hook, s...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
PAUL FLATO A Pair of Diamond 'Starburst' Ear Clips
Located in New York, NY
Paul Flato, A Pair of Diamond Ear Clips, each designed as a circular and baguette-cut diamond starburst, mounted in platinum, circa 1938, signed Paul Flato and a similar style is ill...
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
PERY ET FILS Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 7.22 Ctw In Diamonds & Sapphires
Located in Miami, FL
A French bombe cocktail ring with gemstones designed by Pery Et Fils This is a very beautiful classic cocktail ring, created in Paris France, back in the late 20th century. The ring...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k ...
$750,000
H 132 in W 87.5 in D 8 in
Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta Palatial Oil on Canvas Portrait Isabelle McCreery
By Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta
Located in LA, CA
Raimundo De Madrazo y Garreta (Spanish School, 1841-1920) an exceptional and palatial oil on canvas "Portrait of Isabelle McCreery” depicting an elegant woman gracefully exiting a li...
Oil
Large Antique Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Secret Locket Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Large antique diamond, 14K yellow gold secret locket bracelet Early 20th Century Heirloom quality, finely engraved 14k gold and diamond bracelet with a central panel opening to a hid...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Library of Antique Leatherbound Books
Located in Brønshøj, DK
This collection consists of 400 antique decorative books, mainly dating from 1850–1950, with most published before 1920. The books are bound in leather, many with fine gold leaf embo...
Gold Leaf
Patek Philippe 18Kt Solid Gold Dress Watch circa 1980's with Original Bracelet
By Patek Philippe
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Dress Watch / Reference 4217-10 METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 23mm X Widt...
Gold
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold "Indian Head " American Coin On A Link Chain Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your style with this exquisite David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Hammered Chain "Indian Head" Coin Necklace. This captivating piece of jewelry combines elegance and heritage, making...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet 4 Rigid Bracelets in Yellow Gold and Precious Stones
By Chaumet
Located in Paris, FR
CHAUMET 4 Rigid bracelets in yellow gold and emerald, sapphire, ruby and diamond precious stones. The bracelets are composed of ears of yellow gold among which a dozen ears crimp p...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$14,000Sale Price|20% Off
Estate 1930s Retro 50 Carat Emerald Cut Aquamarine Cocktail Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This authentic late Art Deco cocktail ring showcases a monumental 50 carat emerald-cut aquamarine, boasting a deeply saturated and vibrant glacial blue color. This timeless, vintage ...
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ancient Greek Gold Intaglio Ring Circa 4th Century BC
Located in Chicago, IL
A unique, museum quality ancient Greek gold ring, circa 4th century BC, likely a wedding ring. The ring is engraved with two wrestling Erotes. When Aphrodite (Greek goddess of love,...
$163,897
H 33.86 in W 35.04 in D 20.48 in
IMPORTANT MUSEUM QUALITY ANTIQUE 1680 TO 1720 GERMAN SiLVER SAFE STRONGBOX
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this important, Museum Quality German safe circa 1680-1720 attributed to Johann Gottlied Dittman and Sigmund...
Iron, Nickel
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Vintage Alhambra Lapis Lazuli Yellow Gold 5-Motif Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This rare Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet from the classic Vintage Alhambra collection is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features 5 lucky clover motifs inlaid with blue lapiz lazuli in r...
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
$382,427
H 52.37 in W 35.83 in D 24.41 in
Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Louis XVI Style Casket on Stand
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and Sèvres style porcelain Louis XVI style casket on stand This magnificent Louis XVI style ormolu casket is supported by a mirror-topped table stand, which sits on fo...
Ormolu
Vivienne Westwood Velvet Blouson Jacket
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Berlin, BE
Beautiful velvet Vivienne Westwood Jacket. Cut in a stunning velvet that seems to absorb and refract light like oil on water, the piece balances romance and rebellion with signature ...
$16,000Sale Price|50% Off
H 52 in W 9 in D 32 in
15th C Gothic Tabernacle 4 ft.+ Rare Architectural Religious Art, Museum Quality
Located in Vero Beach, FL
15th century period Gothic Tabernacle, extremely rare (Medieval) architectural religious art, museum quality ecclesiastical altar piece. This is an absolutely stunning circa 1450 or...
Wood, Paint
$3,200
Byzantine Gold Coin
Located in Cairo, EG
Byzantine era high karat gold coin that can be used as pendant dates back to 1221-1254 ruler john 111 doukas vatatzes and virgin nimbate emperor and other coin side christ seated upo...
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...
18k Gold
Paul Flato’s flamboyant style was matched by his larger-than-life personality. He created daring and theatrical jewelry that challenged the conservative conventions of adornment. Works like his Bird of Paradise and Feather Quill brooches and his Seashell pocket watch exemplify his audacious style while reflecting his meticulous craftsmanship. His clients included celebrities such as French-American opera singer Lily Pons, American artist and socialite Gloria Vanderbilt and American actresses Joan Crawford and Mae West.
Flato was born in 1900 into a ranching family in Shiner, Texas. He later attended the University of Texas at Austin as a pre-med student, but soon shifted focus and enrolled at Columbia University in New York City to study economics. With the help of some well-connected friends — including one at Tiffany & Co. — he opened a jewelry store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
His business steadily grew, and he sold over $1 million worth of jewelry by the time he was 27. While he had a great mind for unique ideas, he enlisted the talents of more experienced jewelers for support in drafting the pieces. In 1938, Flato opened a second store in Hollywood, California. His pieces were large and eye-catching, making them perfect for the camera.
In 1943, Flato’s jewelry career came to an abrupt halt with larceny charges for consigning a 17-carat diamond that went missing. When he was unable to pay the consignors, they pressed charges. Flato spent 18 months in Sing Sing prison. After his release, Flato he eased back into the trade by producing pens and compact cases for makeup. Poor financial decisions led again to his falling on the wrong side of the law and he fled to South America. He ended up serving four years in a Mexican prison before being sent back to the United States to serve a five-year sentence for grand larceny.
In 1970, Flato returned to Mexico and opened a boutique in Zona Rosa, Mexico City. He spent the last 20 years of his career there, fashioning bold and bright jewelry, inspired by the indigenous culture of the country.
In 1990, Flato moved back to Texas where he died in 1999. His outlandishly imaginative pieces remain in demand with collectors today.
On 1stDibs, enjoy the wondrous imagination of Paul Flato through his brooches, watches, bracelets and more.