Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (in the brand's logo, it's styled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, Bulgari has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, Bulgari’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932.
The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, Bulgari debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the Bulgari brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage Bulgari jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
Bulgari Tubogas 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Watch bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An icon of Italian goldsmithing, this Bulgari Tubogas watch pairs the house's most recognizable design signature with a construction technique unlike anything else in fine watchmakin...
18k Gold
Bulgari Tubogas Watch in 18K Yellow Gold and Steel
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari Tubogas bracelet watch, featuring a Swiss-made quartz movement; black dial with gold hands and hour markers; and 23mm, 18k yellow gold...
Yellow Gold, Steel
Bulgari BB 26 GGD 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
Bulgari BB 26GGD 18 Kyellow gold black Quartz Date ladies watch with a fold over clasp. A timeless and elegant italian evergreen! Original retail price: 17'000 CHF. Comes with Bulgar...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Tubogas Gold Watch Bracelet BB 26 2T
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Tubogas 18k gold watch bracelet, featuring slightly flexible design. Bracelet will fit approx. 7" wrist, case is 26mm in diamet...
Gold
Bulgari Tubogas BB23 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Dial 26mm Ladies Watch Full Set
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
A circa 2000 Bulgari Tubogas ref. BB23 2T ladies quartz wristwatch in 18K yellow gold, featuring the iconic signed Tubogas flexible bracelet, a black dial with full diamond hour mark...
White Diamond, Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari Tubogas BB26 2T Stainless Steel and Gold Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An iconic Bulgari Tubogas wristwatch crafted in stainless steel and 18K yellow gold, this unisex timepiece features a 26 mm case with the signature BVLGARI BVLGARI engraved bezel, fr...
Stainless Steel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Bulgari BB 33 GL GMT Automatic Watch Leather Strap
By Bulgari
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This sophisticated Bvlgari BB 33 GL GMT Automatic Watch in 18K Yellow Gold combines timeless elegance with precision craftsmanship. The 33mm case houses ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Bulgari BB33GSCD 18K Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel Tubogas Bracelet.
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Tubogas BB33GSCD. 33mm 18K yellow gold case. 18K yellow gold fixed bezel with engraved Bvlgari. Black dial with silver tone hands and index and Arabic 6 & 12-hour indicators....
18k Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi 18K Yellow Gold BJ 01 H54486 Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
The Bvlgari Parentesi 18K Yellow Gold BJ 01 H54486 watch is a refined example of the brand’s timeless Italian design from the 1980s. Crafted entirely in 18-karat yellow gold, this ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tubogas Watch Bracelet by Bulgari
By Bulgari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Tubogas Watch Bracelet by Bulgari, Italy. Composed of 18k yellow gold. With a round bezel and black dial, yellow gold markers. The bezel reads '...
18k Gold
Bvlgari 1970's 18 Karat Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Vintage Alveare Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bracelet is comprised of segmented yellow gold and stainless steel links Designed as the signature Alveare motif - fitted gold arrow motifs Alternating in pattern with fluted stainle...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Bulgari 1970's 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Chestnut Unisex Link Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a fancy interlocking chestnut link chain With high polish finish throughout Completed by concealed clasp closure With hinged bar safety Stamped with Italian assay marks f...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari 1990's 18 Karat Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Vintage Saetta Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of flexible yellow gold and stainless steel geometric segments Featuring grooved yellow gold swirl motifs and steel geometric surrounds With high polish finish and open ter...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Bulgari French 1970's Diamond 18K Gold Yellow Vintage Triple Spiga Wrap Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a flexible tubogas style wrap bracelet comprised of 'Spiga' motif zigzag segments Featuring rounded terminals with round brilliant cut diamonds in pavéd segments Weighing...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari 1980's 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hematite Steel Vintage Doppio Cuore Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bulgari 1980s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Vintage Doppio Cuore Bracelet Designed as a segmented geometric links displaying the signature "Doppio Cuore" heart motif Comprised...
Hematite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Bulgari 3.40 CTW Diamond 18 Two-Tone Gold Vintage Celtica Tubogas Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a deeply grooved tubogas style cuff with arching segments Middle segments are topped with white gold and pavéd with diamonds Round brilliant cut and weighing approximatel...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Jewelry historian Vanessa Cron combed 1stDibs and selected some dazzling pieces with timeless appeal.
From Elizabeth Taylor to Zendaya, the Serpenti has been the accessory of choice for generations of it girls.
