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Watches For Sale
Montblanc Boheme 7312 111055 Women's Watch in Stainless Steel
Located in New York, NY
Montblanc Boheme 7312 111055 Women's Watch in Stainless Steel SKU: 132432 PRIMARY DETAILS Brand: Montblanc Model: Boheme Country of Origin: Switzerland Movement Type: Mechanical:...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Watches

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Rolex President Day-Date 18K Yellow Gold Bark Finish Silver Grey Dial 1807, 1970
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 1807 Year: 1970 Serial number: 25xxxxx Reference: C03925; C03945 Case: 18K Yellow gold 36mm without crown; Show sign of wear with slight polish from prev...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage OMEGA Ladies 14k Yellow Gold Tank Watch D6786 Model
Located in Media, PA
This is a great looking 14K Omega watch winds, sets, and runs great, and keeps excellent time. It was originally made for a man, but would look equa...
Category

Late 20th Century Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Cartier Santos 100XL Stainless Steel 38mm Custom Diamond Iced Out Watch Men's
Located in New York, NY
Custom Cartier Santos 100XL complete with box and booklet papers. Cartier Santos 100XL is customized hand set with approx. 8 carats of natural ...
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Watches

Materials

Diamond

Cartier Santos Dumont XL Skeleton Rose Gold Watch W2020057
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Santos Dumont XL Skeleton Rose Gold Watch W2020057 - Manual. 18K Rose Gold with sapphire crown ( 38 mm x 47 mm ). Skeleton complicatio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Watches

ORIS Aquis Date Grey Dial Titanium Men's Watch
By Oris
Located in San Fernando, CA
ORIS Aquis a true masterpiece of design and engineering features a sleek grey dial that offers excellent readability even in low-light conditions with a date function that displays t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Watches

Materials

Titanium

Rolex Steel Air King with Custom Green Dial, Early 1970's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: Early 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diam...
Category

1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex GMT-Master Yellow & Steel Brown Nipple Dial 1675 Watch w/ Papers, 1978
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 1675 Year: 1978 Serial number: 58xxxxx Reference: OT1729; C03102 Case: Show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; inner case back stamped 1675 ...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Watches

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Steve McQueen Explorer II 1655 Straight Hand Steel Automatic Watch, 1972
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 1655 Year: 1972 – 1973 Serial number: 30xxxxx Reference: C03867 Case: Show heavy sign of wear seem to be unpolished case; inner case back stamped 1655 II...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Watches

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watch 37MM White Index Dial Yellow Gold Watch UNWORN
Located in New York, NY
Audemars Piguet 15450BA.OO.1256BA.01 Royal Oak Selfwinding 37mm Silver Index Yellow Gold Watch, New (Old Stock), factory plastic protection intact, bracelet has couple very minor scu...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Rolex Steel Submariner Maxi MK I Matte Dial 5513 Steel Automatic Watch, 1978
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 5513 Year: 1978 Serial number: 57xxxxx Reference: OT1708 Case: Show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; inner case back stamped 5513 Dial: Ex...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Watches

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

NEW Rolex Explorer II Steel Orange Hand White Dial Automatic Mens Watch 226570
Located in New York, NY
Brand new. Original Box and Papers are Included. 5-year Rolex warranty. Brand and Model Information: Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex Explorer II Model Number: 226570 Type and Style: Type...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Watches

Materials

Steel

Vintage Universal Gold Watch With Sliding Cover, Circa 1950
Located in London, GB
A vintage, Universal, ladies' wristwatch, with a fluted sliding cover over the rectangular face, with a copper satin finished dial, with black stylised Roman numerals at the quarters...
Category

1950s French Vintage Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Rolex Seadweller Wristwatch Ref 16600 / 16600t. Full Set. Yr 2007/2008
Located in Canterbury, GB
Our Rolex Seadweller 16600 / 16600T, also known as Seadweller 4000, must be one of the last pre ceramic Seadwellers manufactured. Our 16600T fea...
Category

Early 2000s Watches

Vintage Chopard Geneve 18k White Gold Ladies' Watch with Diamonds
Located in Berlin, BE
Indulge in the luxury of the vintage Chopard Geneve 18k white gold ladies' watch, a true testament to the elegance and sophistication that the Chopard b...
Category

Late 20th Century French Art Deco Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Gruen Gold Filled Art Deco Curvex Watch with Diamond Dial 1940's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Gruen Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 449 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 22mm...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Rolex Vintage Submariner Single Red Matte Dial 1680 Steel Automatic Watch, 1970
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: 1680 Year: 1970 Serial number: 29xxxxx Reference: C03865 Case: Show sign of wear with slight polish from previous; inner case back stamped 1680 IV.70 Di...
Category

1970s Swiss Vintage Watches

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref.124300 Turquoise Blue Dial
Located in Miami, FL
41mm Oystersteel case, screw-down crown with twinlock double waterproofness system, domed bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, turquoise bright blue (AM!) dial, index hour mark...
Category

2010s Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Antique Swiss Sapphire and Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Lapel Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Swiss 0.15 carat sapphire and 0.09 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold lapel watch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections This fine and impressive antique lapel watch...
Category

Early 1900s Swazi Antique Watches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Elgin National 14K Yellow Gold Pocket Watch w Chain Elks Tooth Fob
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Capture a piece of history in time. This grand 14 karat yellow gold, circa 1891 Elgin National GM Wheeler Grade 103 Model 3 Pocket Watch is a true find. Manufactured pre-1900 by one of America's most highly respected watch makers of the period, its journey began with a personalization for M.M. Buss, 1893 . Added at a later date and complementing this fine pocket watch is an impressive high quality, heavy gauge 14 karat yellow gold rope watch...
Category

1890s American Antique Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Extremely rare rectangular solid gold watch 1930s
Located in London, GB
Rolex Ref 2356 Circa 1930 Rolex Vintage Rectangular solid gold case with solid wire gold fixed lugs. This attractive watch is manual hand winding. Excellent condition it has been recently serviced-cleaned-restored from top to bottom by competent restorers and watchmakers. Dial is signed Rolex raised gold numbers and blued steel hands. Movement is signed Rolex 15 Rubies...
Category

20th Century European Art Deco Watches

Materials

Gold

Pavel Bure Gold Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater Chrongraph Pocket Watch C1890
Located in London, GB
Pavel Buhre. A Massive Gold Keyless Lever Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater Chrongraph Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1890 Dial: The excellent white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and outer tachometric minute track. The four subsidiary dials with the four year cycle dial at twelve o'clock, the date dial at three o'clock, the moon phase and seconds dial at six o'clock and the day dial at nine o'clock. The original rose gold coloured spade hands and double chronograph blued steel hands, one for the chrongraph and one to record the minutes. The dial is signed Pavel Bure...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage Cartier Tonneau Dual-Time 18k Yellow Gold Large Size
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Cartier Tonneau Dual-Time 18k Yellow Gold Large Size On Cartier Black Alligator Strap and 18k Yellow Gold Deployment Buckle 46mm x 26mm Model # W1502853 Quartz Movement c.199...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Vintage Serpenti Tubogas Watch Rare rectangular case three gold
Located in Milano, IT
A rare stunning vintage Bulgari Tubogas watch, made of 18k yellow, rose and white gold, circa 1970s. The gold watch features a rectangular case with a black matte dial. The dial equ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

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 Movement - 35mm Stainless Steel Case, numbered 2 5701 ...
Category

1950s Swiss Retro Vintage Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

1999 Rolex Day-Date President 18 Karat 36mm Ruby Diamond String Box & Papers
Located in New York, NY
1999 Rolex Day-Date President 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Ruby and Diamond String 36mm Dial with Original Box & Papers Model 18238 c.1999 The 1999 Rolex Day-Date President is the crown jewel of the Rolex catalog...
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Breitling Laederich Antique Pocket Watch 18k Gold Enamel
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An amazing Breitling Laederich antique pocket watch, circa late 1800s. The watch is made of 18k gold, features enamel. The watch is cased in a ...
Category

1870s Swiss Antique Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

TAG Heuer Gray Waf1015 Aquaracer Swiss-quartz Watch
Located in San Fernando, CA
Tag Heuer Aquaracer WAF1015 Stainless steel case with a stainless steel link bracelet Stainless steel bezel Silver dial with luminous hands and stick hour markers Minute markers around the outer rim Luminescent hands and markers Date display at the 12 o'clock position Seconds sub-dial at the 6 o'clock position Battery-operated Swiss quartz...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Round Style
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 32mm MO...
Category

1950s American Art Deco Vintage Watches

Omega Oversized Automatic Dress Watch
Located in London, GB
Now this really is quite an unusual pieces, from the 1950's believe it or not this beautiful looking Omega Dress Watch has a 38mm size case! Almost unhea...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Steel Mens Watch 15720ST.OO.A027CA.01 Unworn
Located in New York, NY
Absolutely UNWORN Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 15720ST.OO.A027CA.0. 42mm diameter x 14.1mm height, stainless steel, glare-proofed sapphire...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece 18k Solid Gold Automatic BIG DATE Wristwatch 40mm
Located in Richmond, CA
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece gent's wristwatch in solid 18k yellow gold. This fine Swiss timepiece features elegant “big date" complication display at prominent 12 o'clock position, A...
Category

2010s Swiss Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chrono Steel Mens Watch 26331ST.OO.1220ST.02 Unworn
Located in New York, NY
Silver-tone stainless steel case with a silver-tone stainless steel bracelet. 8 screws fixed silver-tone stainless steel bezel. Black dial with silver-tone hands and index hour marke...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

English Minute Repeater Chronograph 18ct Yellow Gold Keyless Lever Pocket Watch
Located in London, GB
A heavy English minute repeater chronograph 18ct yellow gold keyless lever full hunter pocket watch, C1898. Dial: The white enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute track with Arabic numerals. The subsidiary seconds dial is located at six o'clock and the minute recorder dial for the stopwatch is located at twelve o'clock. The original blued steel hands with a gold centre second hand. Case: The massive English hallmarked 18ct yellow gold case (198grm) with plain front and back covers. The slide for the repeater is on the side of the case. The inner cuvette has an interesting inscription stating that the watch was gifted as a Token of respect and goodwill to Brother R. Kelly by fellow members of a Masonic Lodge in March 1899. The casemaker was Philippe Woodman who worked out of Northampton Square, Clerkenwell London Movement: The unsigned fully jewelled and numbered movement with part Swiss engraved on the movement meaning that some components were supplied by Swiss watch houses. The chiming of the hours quarters and minutes are very clear. The chronograph mechanism is located under the dial. This is an exceptionally heavy gold pocket watch...
Category

19th Century British Antique Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Breitling Bentley B05 Unitime Gmt AB0521 49MM Stainless Steel Men’s Watch
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Breitling Gender: Men's Metal Type: Stainless Steel Diameter: 49.00 mm Weight: 167.50 grams Mens stainless steel BREITLING Swiss made watch. The "Breitling" trademark (or...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Chanel Black Lacquered Dial 18k Yellow Gold Chain Bracelet Watch
Located in Miami, FL
Brand: Chanel Model: Premier Case Material: Yellow Gold Dial: Black Lacquered Movement: Quartz Weight: 76.3 grams Bracelet size: 14.6 cm Accessories: Brilliance Jewels Two-ye...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Cartier Ballon Bleu 36 White Gold Diamond, Ref. WE900651
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pre-owned Cartier Ballon Bleu wristwatch (ref. WE900651), featuring a self-winding automatic movement; silvered opaline flinqué dial with black Roman numerals & blued-steel, sword-shaped hands; center seconds hand; and 36mm, 18k white gold case with a double row of round brilliant-cut diamonds accenting the bezel on a red alligator strap secured by the Cartier white gold folding clasp. Accompanied by Cartier watch box...
Category

2010s Swiss Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Anthracite 44mm 26405CE.OO.A002CA.01
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic Anthracite 44mm Men's Watch 26405CE.OO.A002CA.01 – a brand new timepiece with a striking and contemporary design. Crafted w...
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Watches

Seiko Chronograph Gen 1 Military Raf Chronograph 1990
Located in London, GB
Watch: Seiko Generation 1 7A28-7120 c.1990 Watch Only Stock Number: CHW5274 Price: £995.00 Original, working Generation 1 Seiko Chronograph made for...
Category

1990s Japanese Watches

Materials

Steel

Harry Winston Loop Diamond White Gold Watch
Located in Feasterville, PA
The Harry Winston Diamond White Gold Watch from the Loop Collection is a luxurious and meticulously crafted timepiece. The watch case and bracelet are made from 18k white gold, offer...
Category

2010s Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Audemars Piguet 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Wristwatch with Diamonds
Located in Braintree, GB
Audemars Piguet Vintage dress watch ultra-thin 18kt yellow gold with link bracelet. Bezel and bracelet is set with brilliant diamon...
Category

1990s Swiss Watches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Tissot K 253 Gold-Plated S/Steel Swiss Quartz 32mm Vintage Mens' Watch
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This timepiece by Tissot ref K 253 is a sophisticated vintage men's watch, dating from 1990's Performed in gold-plated stainless steel, the Case measures 32mm (not including the ...
Category

1990s Swiss Modern Watches

Materials

Gold Plate, Steel

14K White Gold Men's Vintage Longines Diamond Dial Watch
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Men's vintage Longines wristwatch with 14k white gold case and diamond dial. The inside of the case is stamped 14k, Longines. The movement ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Watches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Union Glashütte Chronograph 18 Karat Gold, Automatic, Limited to 50, Saxony.
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely rare Union Glashutte (Saxony) Chronograph in 18 carat solid gold, limited to 50 pieces! Including original Box and Papers! From private col...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Waf1418 Steel MOP Date Watch
Located in San Fernando, CA
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Waf1418 Stainless Steel Case and bracelet Pink MOP Dial Date display at the 3 o'clock position. It has a unidirectional bezel CASE SIZE 28 mm double locki...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Watches

Materials

Steel

Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Lady’s Wrist Watch
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre Arpels Lady’s Wrist Watch. It depicts an 18K/750 gold round case with gold color dial that has Roman numerals and black color hour/minute hands. A...
Category

20th Century Swiss Contemporary Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial "SPECTRE" Limited Edition
Located in Miami, FL
Case: 41mm steel Dial: Black Bracelet: Nato strap Features: anti-magnetic, chronometer, limited edition, screw-in crown, bi-directional rotating crown, liquidmetal, transparent case black Details: Extremely rare Omega Seamaster Spectre...
Category

2010s Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

18K Gold Jaeger Le-Coultre ref 9132 Cushion Case Manual 17 jewels Cal 818 Watch
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Timepieces by Jaeger-LeCoultre have been long admired for their functionality, durability & power and this vintage example of dress mens' wristwatch is no exception ~ Epitome o...
Category

1980s Swiss Retro Vintage Watches

Materials

18k Gold

White Gold Art Deco Converted Watch Pendant - 14k Vintage Not Running
Located in Greensboro, NC
Brand: Elgin Movement: U.S.A. Era: Art Deco Date: 1920s Movement Maker: Elgin Metal Content: 14k White Gold Features: Etched & Milgrain Case Detailing Measurements Tall (from exte...
Category

1920s Vintage Watches

Materials

14k Gold, White Gold

Longines Gemini 11 Digital Wristwatch, Gold Plated, Very Rare, c 1976.
Located in Canterbury, GB
Our extremely rare and complete vintage Longines Gemini II features a 35.4 mm case and bracelet in heavy gold plated steel. The Gemini by Longines was the first watch to simultaneous...
Category

1970s Vintage Watches

Materials

Gold Plate

Bulova Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa, 1940's with Original Dial
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Bulova Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Curvex Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Width 20m...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, Yellow Gold

Rolex Stainless Steel Air King with Papers, Box, And Original Dial circa, 1988
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 5500 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1988 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm X Diameter 34mm ...
Category

1980s Swiss Modern Vintage Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Rolex GMT- Master II 116719BLRO "Pepsi” 18k White Gold Watch
Located in Miami, FL
Brand: Rolex Model Name: GMT- Master II "Pepsi" Model Number: 116719BLRO Movement: Mechanical Automatic Case Size: 40 mm Case Material: 18k White Gold Bracelet: Oyster link...
Category

2010s Swiss Watches

Materials

White Gold

Paul Flato Imperio Mexicano 1866 One Peso Watch/Pin/Pendant 18K 44.4g
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Flato Imperio Mexicano 1866 One Peso Watch/Pin/Pendant 18K 44.4g The watch came from the certified watchmaker on January 24, 2024. Mechanical m...
Category

1860s Central American Modern Antique Watches

Materials

18k Gold

14K Yellow Gold Vintage Bulova Accutron Watch (34mm)
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Men's Vintage Bulova Accutron with 14k yellow gold case. The case is stamped 14k. The gold-filled varieties are stamped gold-filled. Quartz mov...
Category

Mid-20th Century Watches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Pro-Diver ZO3556 Watch
Located in San Fernando, CA
ZODIAC Super Sea Wolf Z03556 Case: Stainless Steel Bezel: Rotating Green Steel and K1 crystal bezel Case Back: Solid Case Width: 42mm Crystal: Sapphire Crystal Dial Color: Silver wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Patek Philippe Nautilus 7118 Blue Dial Diamond Bezel Steel Watch
Located in Miami, FL
This certified authentic Patek Philippe Nautilus dress watch, with the model number 7118 has a stainless steel 33 mm irregular case with screw down crown and a factory diamonds bezel. this ladies Patek Philippe Nautilus has an attractive blue dial with index markers dial markers. The high quality Patek Philippe automatic movement...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Watches

Materials

Diamond, Steel

Patek Philippe & Cie. 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Bracelet Watch, circa 1980s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Patek Philippe & Cie. STYLE / REFERENCE: Ellipse Bracelet Watch / Reference 3848 / 15 METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1980's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: ...
Category

1980s Swiss Vintage Watches

Antique, New and Vintage Watches

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, new and classic vintage 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, new and vintage watches on 1stDibs — we promise it will be worth your time.

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