Vintage Wrist Watch

Find the exact vintage wrist watch you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, Stainless Steel and 18k Gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 1424 vintage editions and 93 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for a vintage wrist watch may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but versions are of considerable interest. A vintage wrist watch from Rolex, Omega and Patek Philippe — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. A vintage wrist watch can make for a versatile accessory, but a selection from our variety of 61 Diamond versions can add an especially stylish touch. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also baguette cut and tumbled versions for sale. When shopping for a vintage wrist watch, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or women today than there are for men.

On average, a vintage wrist watch at 1stDibs sells for $3,564, while they’re typically $68 on the low end and $68 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Records show that, in Europe, by the 16th century, it was high time for portable clock devices. 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. 

Modern-day timepieces are fashionable and functional. Watches have also 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, watches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. 

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 fashionable ensembles the world over. At the same time, many 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, new and vintage watches on 1stDibs — we promise it will be worth your time.