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18k YG Pocket watch Chain. Antique Pocket Watch Curb chain.
18k YG Pocket watch Chain. Antique Pocket Watch Curb chain.

18k YG Pocket watch Chain. Antique Pocket Watch Curb chain.

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

Antique Pocket watch Chain. Extremely RARE. 18k Yellow Gold with Platinum. Button is 14k and

Category

Vintage 1910s Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Tiffany and Co Watch. Tiffany GEMEA Quartz Watch. T&CO Tonneau T2634.
Tiffany and Co Watch. Tiffany GEMEA Quartz Watch. T&CO Tonneau T2634.

Tiffany and Co Watch. Tiffany GEMEA Quartz Watch. T&CO Tonneau T2634.

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

RARE Tiffany and Co Gemea Watch ref. T2634 Classic Tonneau. Stainless Steel 22mm by 35mm case

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Sapphire, Stainless Steel

Chanel Ice Cube Watch
Chanel Ice Cube Watch

Chanel Ice Cube Watch

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

Chanel Rare Vintage Ice Cube Watch

Category

Early 2000s French Wrist Watches

14k CARTIER x MOVADO mechanical watch. 14k YG Genuine Cartier Ladies Watch.
14k CARTIER x MOVADO mechanical watch. 14k YG Genuine Cartier Ladies Watch.

14k CARTIER x MOVADO mechanical watch. 14k YG Genuine Cartier Ladies Watch.

By Cartier

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

EXTREMELY RARE Cartier and Movado 14k Watch. Movement is 17J Movado. The case is 14k Yellow Gold

Category

20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Paris Belle Époque Lapel Watch
Cartier Paris Belle Époque Lapel Watch

Cartier Paris Belle Époque Lapel Watch

By Cartier

Located in New York, NY

modernism, anticipating the Art Deco sensibility by almost 20 years, this rare pendant watch exemplifies the

Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Vulcain 1960s Stainless Steel Watch
Vulcain 1960s Stainless Steel Watch

Vulcain 1960s Stainless Steel Watch

By Vulcain

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Introducing the Vulcain 1960s Stainless Steel Watch, a rare and classic wristwatch that captures

Category

Vintage 1960s Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Moschino 1980s Gold Tone Watch
Moschino 1980s Gold Tone Watch

Moschino 1980s Gold Tone Watch

By Moschino

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

combines style with reliability, perfect for everyday wear. This Moschino watch is a rare find and is sure

Category

Vintage 1980s Wrist Watches

Longines Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
Longines Yellow Gold Pocket Watch

Longines Yellow Gold Pocket Watch

By Longines

Located in Berlin, DE

. Extremely rare collector's watch. The clock works. Dial unfortunately damaged between 4 and 5 o'clock

Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Small Vintage Women's Watch Signed Kody
Small Vintage Women's Watch Signed Kody

Small Vintage Women's Watch Signed Kody

Located in Vannes, FR

wear. It perfectly embodies vintage charm and luxury, ideal for lovers of rare and precious watches.

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Artisan Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Rare Cartier Panthere Jumbo Yellow Gold 8839
Rare Cartier Panthere Jumbo Yellow Gold 8839

Rare Cartier Panthere Jumbo Yellow Gold 8839

By Cartier

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare jumbo/large size Cartier Panthère wristwatch crafted in 18k yellow gold. Featuring a silver

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rare and Limited Audemars Piguet Calatrava 14682ST
Rare and Limited Audemars Piguet Calatrava 14682ST

Rare and Limited Audemars Piguet Calatrava 14682ST

By Audemars Piguet

Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT

Rare, elegant and limited Audemars Piguet watch Calatrava style Only 200 examples made in the world

Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Longines Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch
Longines Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch

Longines Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch

By Longines

Located in Long Beach, CA

Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare and unique watch by

Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Bucherer Mens Watch. Bucherer 2892.503 Automatic Wristwatch
Bucherer Mens Watch. Bucherer 2892.503 Automatic Wristwatch

Bucherer Mens Watch. Bucherer 2892.503 Automatic Wristwatch

By Bucherer

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

Wonderful and Rare timepiece. Mens Bucherer Mens Watch. ref. 2892.503 Open Back to to see the

Category

1990s Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold Plate, Stainless Steel

Antique Russian Gold Pocket Watch Chain
Antique Russian Gold Pocket Watch Chain

Antique Russian Gold Pocket Watch Chain

Located in Cairo, EG

Antique Rare Russian 14k pocket gold watch chain with total gold weight of 12 grams pendant is

Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Rolex Rare Date Hammered Finished 1503
Rolex Rare Date Hammered Finished 1503

Rolex Rare Date Hammered Finished 1503

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare vintage Date by Rolex, in yellow gold. Featuring a champagne dial with a smooth finish bezel

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Rolex Very Rare Vintage Milgauss Stainless Steel 1019
Rolex Very Rare Vintage Milgauss Stainless Steel 1019

Rolex Very Rare Vintage Milgauss Stainless Steel 1019

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Very Rare Vintage Milgauss reference 1019 Wristwatch by Rolex, available now from Watch Centre

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Omega Rare Constellation 'TV' Dark Green Spider Dial
Omega Rare Constellation 'TV' Dark Green Spider Dial

Omega Rare Constellation 'TV' Dark Green Spider Dial

By Omega

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare and highly collectible Omega Constellation “TV Watch,” crafted in 18k yellow gold. The 33 x

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Rare Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 6285
Rolex Rare Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 6285

Rolex Rare Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 6285

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

a self-winding automatic movement. The watch is also equipped with quite a rare yellow gold Oyster

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Longines Curvex Platinum Cal. 9L Collectors Wrist Watch
Longines Curvex Platinum Cal. 9L Collectors Wrist Watch

Longines Curvex Platinum Cal. 9L Collectors Wrist Watch

By Longines

Located in Antwerp, BE

Longines Curvex Platinum, Movement Caliber 9L Extremely Rare Collectors Wrist Watch Case

Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Platinum

Rare Vintage Rotary Gold Plated Automatic Wristwatch
Rare Vintage Rotary Gold Plated Automatic Wristwatch

Rare Vintage Rotary Gold Plated Automatic Wristwatch

Located in Portland, England

A striking and rare 1970s Swiss-made Rotary wristwatch, featuring a 25-jewel automatic movement

Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Rolex Rare Day-Date Platinum Diamond Set 18046
Rolex Rare Day-Date Platinum Diamond Set 18046

Rolex Rare Day-Date Platinum Diamond Set 18046

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare Day-Date in platinum by Rolex with a single-quick movement. Only a few of these were in

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Rolex Daytona Rare Panna Cream Dial 116520
Rolex Daytona Rare Panna Cream Dial 116520

Rolex Daytona Rare Panna Cream Dial 116520

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A men's wristwatch in stainless steel, by Rolex. Featuring an extremely desirable yet rare Panna

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Rare Submariner Date Diamond Dial 116618LB
Rolex Rare Submariner Date Diamond Dial 116618LB

Rolex Rare Submariner Date Diamond Dial 116618LB

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A solid 18k yellow gold rare Blue Submariner Date ref. 116618LB wristwatch by Rolex. Featuring a

Category

2010s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Rare Patek Philippe Nautilus 3712/1A-001
Rare Patek Philippe Nautilus 3712/1A-001

Rare Patek Philippe Nautilus 3712/1A-001

By Patek Philippe

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A Very Rare Stainless Steel Nautilus Wristwatch by Patek Philippe. Featuring a black-grey dial with

Category

Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex GMT-Master Rare Nipple Tropical Dial 1675
Rolex GMT-Master Rare Nipple Tropical Dial 1675

Rolex GMT-Master Rare Nipple Tropical Dial 1675

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare vintage Rolex GMT-Master reference 1675, dating to circa 1978. This remarkable example

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel

Rolex Rare Oyster Shock Resisting 50m Dial 6484
Rolex Rare Oyster Shock Resisting 50m Dial 6484

Rolex Rare Oyster Shock Resisting 50m Dial 6484

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare vintage stainless steel Rolex Oyster Shock Resisting Ref 6484 manual wind movement

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rare Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date UAE Champagne Dial 19018
Rare Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date UAE Champagne Dial 19018

Rare Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date UAE Champagne Dial 19018

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare Oysterquartz Day-Date 36mm 19018, by Rolex. As well as applied hour markers and the iconic

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Rare Vintage Precision Yellow Gold 36mm 8896
Rolex Rare Vintage Precision Yellow Gold 36mm 8896

Rolex Rare Vintage Precision Yellow Gold 36mm 8896

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

movement and a brown generic leather strap equipped with a gold plated Rolex pin buckle. The watch comes

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Rolex Datejust Rare Blue Stella Dial 69178
Rolex Datejust Rare Blue Stella Dial 69178

Rolex Datejust Rare Blue Stella Dial 69178

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A 26mm yellow gold Datejust in by Rolex. Featuring a rare blue Stella dial, complemented by a

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vintage Cartier PASHA C Automatic 2324. Rare Silver Checkered Dial.
Vintage Cartier PASHA C Automatic 2324. Rare Silver Checkered Dial.

Vintage Cartier PASHA C Automatic 2324. Rare Silver Checkered Dial.

By Cartier

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

Genuine Cartier watch. Cartier Pasha C ref. 2324 W31023M7 Rare Light Silver Checkered Dial

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rare Cartier Tank Basculante Platinum & Rose Gold
Rare Cartier Tank Basculante Platinum & Rose Gold

Rare Cartier Tank Basculante Platinum & Rose Gold

By Cartier

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare, platinum and rose gold Tank Basculante by Cartier. Featuring a silver guilloche dial with

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum

David Morice. A Rare Heavy Gold Pocket Chronometer C1805
David Morice. A Rare Heavy Gold Pocket Chronometer C1805

David Morice. A Rare Heavy Gold Pocket Chronometer C1805

Located in Mayfair, London, London

David Morice. A Rare Heavy 18ct Rose Gold Pair Case Keywind Pocket Chronometer C1805. Dial: The

Category

Antique Early 1800s Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold

Bvlgari Quadrato F1218 SQ 22 2T 22mm Square Dial Watch
Bvlgari Quadrato F1218 SQ 22 2T 22mm Square Dial Watch

Bvlgari Quadrato F1218 SQ 22 2T 22mm Square Dial Watch

By Bulgari

Located in New York, NY

sophisticated and rare vintage Bvlgari watch.

Category

20th Century Italian Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel

Vintage Cartier PASHA GMT Meridian 2550. W31049M7 Rare Black Dial.
Vintage Cartier PASHA GMT Meridian 2550. W31049M7 Rare Black Dial.

Vintage Cartier PASHA GMT Meridian 2550. W31049M7 Rare Black Dial.

By Cartier

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

Genuine Cartier watch. Cartier Pasha C GMT ref. 2550 Full Automatic Movement W31049M7 Rare Black

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Rare Day-Date Platinum Omani Khanjar Dial 1804
Rolex Rare Day-Date Platinum Omani Khanjar Dial 1804

Rolex Rare Day-Date Platinum Omani Khanjar Dial 1804

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare and important Rolex Omani Day-Date 1804, available now at our Showroom, London. This

Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Longines 14k Gold Watch Tropical Patina Ca' 1953
Longines 14k Gold Watch Tropical Patina Ca' 1953

Longines 14k Gold Watch Tropical Patina Ca' 1953

By Longines

Located in Saint Petersburg, FL

A beautiful and rare Longines watch, ca' 1953. 14k yellow gold, reference # 6518 with manually

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Cyma Navystar Cymaflex Vintage c1956 Manual Gents’ Watch
Cyma Navystar Cymaflex Vintage c1956 Manual Gents’ Watch

Cyma Navystar Cymaflex Vintage c1956 Manual Gents’ Watch

Located in MELBOURNE, AU

Vintage Fine & Rare Cyma Navystar Cymaflex Gents’ Watch features: - Swiss Manual 17 jewels Signed

Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex Rare Day-Date NOS Omani Dial 1803
Rolex Rare Day-Date NOS Omani Dial 1803

Rolex Rare Day-Date NOS Omani Dial 1803

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare NOS Day-Date crafted in 18k yellow gold by Rolex. Featuring a silver dial with applied hour

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Personally Owned By Joan Rivers with COA - MR Melissa Rivers Prototype Ladies
Personally Owned By Joan Rivers with COA - MR Melissa Rivers Prototype Ladies

Personally Owned By Joan Rivers with COA - MR Melissa Rivers Prototype Ladies

Located in Suwanee, GA

of watches that has been featured in GQ, Revolution Watch, Europa Star, JCK, Hampton's Magazine

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Wrist Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel

Rolex 6239 Daytona Stainless Steel Watch in Stock
Rolex 6239 Daytona Stainless Steel Watch in Stock

Rolex 6239 Daytona Stainless Steel Watch in Stock

By Rolex

Located in Boca Raton, FL

can be worn by a male or female. Since the watch is from approximately 1964, it's a rare find. In

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Paul Ditisheim. A Gold Seed Pearl Set Fob Watch C1880
Paul Ditisheim. A Gold Seed Pearl Set Fob Watch C1880

Paul Ditisheim. A Gold Seed Pearl Set Fob Watch C1880

By Paul Ditisheim

Located in Mayfair, London, London

Observatory. It is very rare to find ladies fob watches made by this maker and in such pristine condition. It

Category

Antique 1880s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Pearl, Gold

Rolex Rare Day-Date Octopus Diamond Set 18048
Rolex Rare Day-Date Octopus Diamond Set 18048

Rolex Rare Day-Date Octopus Diamond Set 18048

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A yellow gold 36mm rare vintage Day-Date Octopus by Rolex. Features a champagne dial set with 2

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Rare Vintage Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Yellow Gold 6265
Rare Vintage Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Yellow Gold 6265

Rare Vintage Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Yellow Gold 6265

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

An extremely rare vintage Cosmograph Daytona with the reference 6265 crafted in yellow gold, which

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Rare Vintage Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 1035
Rolex Rare Vintage Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 1035

Rolex Rare Vintage Oyster Perpetual Yellow Gold 1035

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A striking mens yellow gold Oyster Perpetual by Rolex. Featuring a rare champagne dial with applied

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1950s Movado Watch. 18610 Movado Mechanical Windup Movement
Vintage 1950s Movado Watch. 18610 Movado Mechanical Windup Movement

Vintage 1950s Movado Watch. 18610 Movado Mechanical Windup Movement

By Movado

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

RARE Movado Mens Watch. Ref. 18610 Stainless Steel Case. 17j Movado watch. 30mm Case with

Category

Vintage 1950s Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

IWC for Boucheron. A Gold Keyless Dress Pocket Watch C1920
IWC for Boucheron. A Gold Keyless Dress Pocket Watch C1920

IWC for Boucheron. A Gold Keyless Dress Pocket Watch C1920

By IWC

Located in Mayfair, London, London

International Watch Company for Boucheron. A Rare 18ct Two Colour Gold Keyless Dress Pocket Watch

Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Rare Datejust Coral Stella Diamond Dial 6827
Rolex Rare Datejust Coral Stella Diamond Dial 6827

Rolex Rare Datejust Coral Stella Diamond Dial 6827

By Rolex

Located in Mayfair, London, London

A rare vintage yellow gold mid-size 31mm Datejust by Rolex. Features a coral stella diamond-set

Category

20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rare Van Cleef and Arpels Gold Travel Clock
Rare Van Cleef and Arpels Gold Travel Clock

Rare Van Cleef and Arpels Gold Travel Clock

By Van Cleef & Arpels

Located in Palm Beach, FL

This compact, 18K yellow gold, Van Cleef and Arpels travel clock is a unique piece of vintage luxury. At its heart is a Movado Ermetophon alarm movement inside the exquisitely crafte...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate

Rolex Stainless Steel O.P Date with Rare Vignette Dial
Rolex Stainless Steel O.P Date with Rare Vignette Dial

Rolex Stainless Steel O.P Date with Rare Vignette Dial

By Rolex

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Oyster Perpetual Date / Reference 1500

Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Antique HERMES Tank watch. Art Deco Genuine Hermes Manual wristwatch.
Antique HERMES Tank watch. Art Deco Genuine Hermes Manual wristwatch.

Antique HERMES Tank watch. Art Deco Genuine Hermes Manual wristwatch.

By Hermès

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

This is an authentic antique HERMES Stainless Steel watch. Extremely Rare. Manual Windup Movement

Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Genuine Cartier Diamond Watch. Must de Cartier Vendome Round Burgundy Dial
Genuine Cartier Diamond Watch. Must de Cartier Vendome Round Burgundy Dial

Genuine Cartier Diamond Watch. Must de Cartier Vendome Round Burgundy Dial

By Cartier

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

Genuine Cartier Vendome Watch. RARE Diamond set bezel ref. 114755 Vintage Must de Cartier Vendome

Category

1990s Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Vermeil, Sterling Silver

Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse Quartz Watch Red Leather Strap
Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse Quartz Watch Red Leather Strap

Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse Quartz Watch Red Leather Strap

By Gérald Genta

Located in Antwerp, BE

Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse Quartz Watch Red Leather Strap Very rare and exclusive collectors watch

Category

20th Century Artist Wrist Watches

Materials

Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel

Vintage Cartier PASHA C Automatic 2324. Rare RED Cherry Bordeaux Dial.
Vintage Cartier PASHA C Automatic 2324. Rare RED Cherry Bordeaux Dial.

Vintage Cartier PASHA C Automatic 2324. Rare RED Cherry Bordeaux Dial.

By Cartier

Located in Port Charlotte, FL

Genuine Cartier watch. Cartier Pasha C ref. 2324 W3108299 Rare Red Burgundy Dial. 35mm Case

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

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Rare Watches For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a broad range of rare watches for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of gold, 18k gold and stainless steel, these items were constructed with great care. Find a collection of 3207 vintage versions or 269 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 18th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Our collection of rare watches includes designs that are universally popular, but Art Deco and modern styles, specifically, are sought with frequency. Rolex, Patek Philippe and Cartier each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. Any of these pieces can lend versatility to your look, but diamond versions, from our inventory of 254, are particularly popular. Today, if you’re looking for round cut rare watches and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes brilliant cut and baguette cut alternatives. When shopping our range of rare watches, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for women today than there are for men.

How Much are Rare Watches?

Prices for rare watches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $0 and can go as high as $3,200,000, while rare watches, on average, fetch $5,884.

Finding the Right Watches for You

Records show that, in Europe, by the 16th century, it was high time for portable clock devices. Right now, perhaps you’re shopping for your own. If so, find a vast range of fashionable and functional antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs.

While wall-mounted time tellers and grandfather clocks were much more convenient than the sundials of ancient history, watches were becoming crucial for an increasingly connected society whose members learned that the latest advancements in technology meant they could carry devices that kept time to within a minute a day. Tragically, the first pocket watches — albeit an improvement on the accessories that preceded them, which dangled from a chain worn around the neck — didn’t help much as far as accuracy or portability. Focused on style over substance, the upper class frequently carried lavish pieces that ran hours behind. 

Eventually, watches migrated from owners’ pockets to their wrists. 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.

Indeed, although exceedingly practical, the watches of today are far from bland. Bulgari’s iconic 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 watches. You’ll always know what time it is because you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from your new accessory. 

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

When shopping for a watch, 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 exactly what you’re looking for in an unparalleled collection of antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs that includes Cartier watches, Rolex watches, Patek Philippe watches and more — we promise it will be worth your time.

Questions About Rare Watches
  • 1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024
    Many people would consider AP watches to be rare. The Swiss luxury watchmaker typically manufactures only around 40,000 timepieces per year, and demand for them tends to be high. As a result, there are often lengthy waiting lists for Audemars Piguet watches. However, you can still find various models for sale on trusted online platforms. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Audemars Piguet watches.