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.
Bvlgari vintage 18k tricolor gold Tubogas watch
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exceptional vintage Bvlgari Tubogas watch is a striking 1980’s design, beautifully crafted in 18k yellow, rose, and white gold. The seamless combination of three gold tones crea...
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Tubogas Serpent Snake Yellow Gold Bracelet Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
18k yellow gold Tubogas Serpent Snake bracelet watch by Bulgari. The Authentic Bulgari 18k Yellow Gold Tubogas Serpenti Snake Bracelet Watch combines exquisite craftsmanship with ico...
Yellow Gold
H 0.12 in W 0.547 in
Bvlgari Vintage 93.90 Grams Tubogas 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bracelet Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Designer: BVLGARI Title: Bvlgari 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bracelet Watches Style: Bracelet Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Dimension: 7.25*0.54*0.12IN Weight: 93.9 Grams Condition: Vintage A...
18k Gold
Bvlgari Tubogas 18K Yellow Gold vintage Ladies watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas 1N Ladies Watch is an elegant and luxurious timepiece that embodies the iconic Serpenti design. Its rectangular case measures 15mm by 20mm and is crafted...
18k Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas 18K Yellow Gold Movado Movement Vintage Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This is a vintage Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas wrap-around wristwatch crafted in 18k yellow gold, featuring a unique octagonal case, a silver dial, black Roman numeral indices, and a Bvl...
18k Gold
Vintage Bvlgari Bulgari 18 Karat Gold Model BB302T 30mm Dial Tubogas Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Bulgari 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold More Rare Large Dial Tubogas Watch Model: BB 30 2T Size M 30mm Dial - this model is more rare as they made fewer with this larger d...
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 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
Vintage 1980s Bvlgari Two-Tone Tubogas Wrap Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold. Signed by Bvlgari Circa 1980s 19mm face
18k 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 Tubogas BB191T Serpenti 18K Yellow, White & Rose Gold Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Bvlgari Tubogas BB191T Serpenti Tri-Color Ladies' Watch. Features a 19mm 18k yellow gold case and a rose gold stationery bezel. The black dial is adorned with gold hands and ...
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
Bvlgari BB 19 2T Quartz Round Dial Tubogas Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A signature Bvlgari Tubogas wristwatch, reference BB 19 2T, crafted in rich 18K yellow gold and designed with the house’s unmistakable flexible Tubogas bracelet. The compact 19mm rou...
Gold, 18k Gold
Bvlgari 30mm Round Dial Tubogas Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bvlgari watch in 18K yellow gold, designed with a classic round dial measuring 30mm. Its balanced proportions create a versatile unisex l...
Gold, 18k Gold
Bvlgari 18K Yellow Gold SQ 22 2T Quadrato Tubogas Diamond Bezel Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Swiss Made Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold Quartz Ladies SQ 22 2T Diamond Watch. A lady's gold wristwatch by Bvlgari from the Tubogas collection, quartz movement, square...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari BB 26 2T 26mm Dial Quartz Circa 1990 18K Two Tone Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This Bvlgari BB 26 2T cuff watch from the 1990s is a beautifully preserved vintage piece that embodies the clean, architectural style the brand is known for. Crafted in 18K two-tone ...
Gold, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Jaeger LeCoultre 18K And Blackened Steel Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
There are watches that tell time, and then there are watches that define an era. This mid-1960s Bvlgari Serpenti belongs firmly in the latter category. Crafted in alternating bands ...
Steel, 18k Gold, 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.
