Known as “the jewelers’ jeweler,” Oscar Heyman (1888–1970) designed pieces for Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Black, Starr & Frost. The family-run Oscar Heyman & Brothers jewelry company was founded by Heyman with his brothers Nathan and Harry in 1912. Jewelers from Latvia, they had trained at their great-uncle’s workshop, which had clients including Russian imperial jeweler Fabergé, before immigrating to the United States in the early 1900s.
After arriving in New York, Oscar worked with Pierre Cartier and Nathan was a tool maker at Western Electric before they came together to open their jewelry business. Highly skilled craftsmen, the Heyman brothers quickly developed a roster of high-profile clients — primarily big-name jewelers — drawn to their work with dazzling stones and meticulous design. In 1917, Black, Starr & Frost commissioned the brothers to design an American flag brooch, which would become a recurring motif in the Oscar Heyman & Brothers portfolio. They also designed the Pansy brooch in the 1930s, another long-popular accessory that was produced exclusively for Tiffany & Co. toward the end of the 20th century. After Heyman designed for four of the five jewelers on view at the 1939 World’s Fair House of Jewels (Cartier, Udall & Ballou, Marcus & Co. and Black, Starr & Frost), the company was given the moniker “the jewelers’ jeweler.”
Heyman & Brothers later designed gem-encrusted medallions that traveled to the moon on Apollo 16, the necklace setting for the 69-carat diamond Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor in 1969 and even a pair of ruby-encrusted Stuart Weitzman stilettos in 2003. Over the years, the company has entranced such clients as Evelyn Lauder, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Billy Porter and Tina Fey with its pieces.
In 2012, the century-old jeweler underwent a rebranding to simplify its name to Oscar Heyman and today is still run by the Heyman family, which manages the whole process from alloying their own metal to cutting and polishing their gemstones to assembling the final product in-house. In 2017, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston published a monograph authored by Yvonne J. Markowitz and Elizabeth Hamilton that details for a broader audience the history of Oscar Heyman, an unsung company that’s long been behind some of the biggest names in jewelry.
Shop authentic Oscar Heyman rings, brooches and bracelets on 1stDibs.
Oscar Heyman Retro Ruby & Diamond Watch Bracelet
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Oscar Heyman retro ruby and diamond watch Bracelet Concealed flip dial of mechanical movement, rectangular dial with gold Arabic numbers, and dot markers; calibré-cut rubies ...
Diamond, Ruby
$6,000
H 0.55 in W 6.5 in
Marvin Ladies Pink Gold Diamond Synthetic Rubies Retro Wristwatch, circa 1940s
By Marvin
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Beautifully made 1940's 18k ladies watch featuring diamonds and commonly used synthetic rubies. Many of the pieces made in the 1940's have these scissor cut synthetic rubies. This Watch is made by Marvin Watch...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold
Beautiful Platinum Diamond Art Deco Watch Diamond Bracelet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful Platinum Diamond Art Deco Watch Diamond Bracelet Movement:Mechanical Manual Winding Functions: Hours, minutes Material: Platinum Case: Case length 10 mm x Height 22.5 mm, Dial measurements Length 6.6 x Height 11 mm, sapphire glass. Dial: Silver/Cream dial with black roman numerals. Strap: Diamond bracelet strap...
Diamond, Platinum
Omega 1940s Retro Rose Gold and Rubies Bracelet Watch
By Omega
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Omega Ladies Bracelet Watch, 22 x 14 M.M. 14k Rose Gold Signed Omega 2 piece case, the case top is set with Fine color Rubies a...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Pierre Piccard Gold Watch with Diamonds and Rubies
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 14k rose gold and platinum with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds and Round cut Rubies. Signed by Pierre Piccard Circa 1940s Size 6 inches
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Rolex Datejust Diamond/Ruby Bezel Two Tone Watch
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
We take great pride in presenting this timepiece, which is in impeccable condition, having undergone professional polishing and servicing to maintain its pristine appearance. The wa...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Retro Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lady's Watch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Lady's watch in 18 karat yellow gold, owl hallmark. The case is rectangular, the bottom beige slightly pricked. The hands enamelled black. Marked Universal Geneve Swiss. On the back,...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Retro Used Concord Quartz Watch
Located in New York, NY
Concord quartz. 6.5 inch bracelet. 22mm dial Fair condition. Working order.
Stainless Steel
Tiffany & Co. and Oscar Heyman Art Deco Diamond Wristwatch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
A dazzling example of Art Deco elegance, this exquisite wristwatch by Oscar Heyman for Tiffany & Co. is a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. The cream dial is adorned with stri...
Diamond, Platinum
$24,725
W 12.88 in D 8.23 in L 12.09 in
Zannetti Rana Scrigno Jewel Frog Wrist Watch / Bracelet, Diamonds & Ruby's
By ZANNETTI
Located in Antwerp, BE
Amazing Zanetti ,Rana Scrigio Diamond watch with ruby cabuchons in eyes. For special occasions as it s so exceptional. Case : 18kt solid gold Dial : ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Retro 4.00 carat diamond platinum Ladies watch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This elegant Retro diamond ladies watch is a beautiful 1940’s piece, crafted in platinum and set with 132 marquise, baguette, and single cut diamonds weighing approximately 4.00 cara...
Diamond, Platinum
1940s Nastix 14 Karat Rose Gold Ruby and Diamond Covered Watch Bracelet
Located in Towson, MD
This circa 1940s Nastix 14 karat rose gold covered watch bracelet pairs a hidden manual wind timepiece with a ruby and diamond crescent motif, a hallm...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Retro Cocktail Watch, circa 1940's
Located in London, GB
Complete your statement collection with this unique 1940's wristwatch that perfectly combines retro elegance with the striking brilliance of diamond's and the lively colour of rubies. This one of a kind watch was carefully crafted, with impeccable care to detail, in solid 18 carat white gold and showcases an unusual intricate design with great appeal. The intriguing timepiece features a delicate 13X6mm off-white dial which is decorated with black Arabic numerals and blued-steel dainty hands. Bordering the rectangular face at the top and bottom there are thick bombé rims encrusted with alternating rows of old cut diamonds and vibrant red round rubies, followed by horn shaped sections, also decorated with old cut diamonds and round rubies, which perfectly connect the bracelet to the case. The piece is further fitted with a flexible high-polish white gold snake chain bracelet...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Oscar Heyman Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire Wristwatch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Princeton, NJ
Here is a very rare and possibly even unique Oscar Heyman platinum, diamond, and sapphire integrated wristwatch. Of a distinct mid-century design, each integrated link is set alterna...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Oscar Heyman Art Deco Diamond, Sapphire and Platinum Wristwatch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York, NY
An American Art Deco platinum watch with diamonds and sapphires by Oscar Heyman. The watch has 93 round diamonds with an approximate total weight o...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum