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French 19th Century 18 Karat Yellow Gold Watch Chain
Located in Poitiers, FR
Watch chain in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Thin antique oat grain mesh chain, it
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 19th Century 18 Karat Rose Gold Watch Chain Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Chain in 18 karat rose gold, eagle head hallmark. Charming antique chain, it is formed of openwork
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

French 20th Century 18 Karat Yellow Gold Watch Chain Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Chain in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head and rhinoceros head hallmark. This elegant watch chain is
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Hermes 18K Gold Cape Cod Watch w/ Chocolate Brown Alligator Band rt. $8, 500
Located in New York, NY
Hermes 18K Gold Cape Cod Watch w/ Chocolate Brown Alligator Band Made in France circa 2010
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French More Jewelry

Materials

18k Gold

French Belle Époque 1900s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Watch Chain Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Chain in 18 karats yellow gold, rhinoceros and eagle's head hallmark. This antique gold watch chain
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Link Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Chanel 18K White Gold Watch w/Diamond Baguettes, Circa 1989
By Chanel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an 18K white gold watch with diamond baguettes by Chanel, from 1989. The watch has a square
Category

1980s French Accessories

French Napoleon 3 19th Century 18 Karats Rose Gold Watch Chain Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Chain in 18 carats rose gold and green gold, eagle's head hallmark. Sublime antique rose gold chain
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

French Napoleon 3 19th Century 18 Carat Yellow Gold Watch Chain Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Chain in 18 carats yellow gold, owl hallmark and eagle's head hallmarks. This antique yellow gold
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s French Gold and Leather Lapel Watch Brooch in the Form of Cherries
By Dunhill
Located in New York, NY
green leather and inset with a watch and thermometer, in 18k gold. Dunhill movement, maker's poinçon
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

CARTIER charming yellow gold tank watch charm.
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold charm. Cartier. Designed as a replica of a classic Cartier tank watch
Category

Vintage 1980s French More Jewelry

Materials

18k Gold

An 18 Carat Gold Antique Watch Chain
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat yellow gold watch chain with a swivel clasp and a very richly decorated gold sliding
Category

Antique 1850s French Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Cartier White Gold Diamond Agrafe Bracelet Watch
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An alluring 18k white gold diamond bracelet by Cartier from the Agrafe collection. The bracelet
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Yellow Gold Cadenas Bracelet Watch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated 18kt gold Cadenas bracelet watch in the eternal retro style typical of the 1940s
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Retro Bracelets

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bucherer Lady s Yellow Gold Amethyst Pearl Pendant Watch
By Bucherer
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Amethyst Pearl Large Pendant Watch by Bucherer. The bottom of the pendant flips
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Jewelry

Materials

Amethyst, Pearl, 18k Gold

Rare Cartier Pasha Watch Gold Sapphire Charm
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A classic creation from Cartier in the whimsical form of a charm. Featuring the Pasha watch one of
Category

1990s French Modern Charm Bracelets

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage Van Cleef Arpels 18 Carat Yellow Gold Bangle Watch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, GB
Beautiful solid gold Van Cleef & Arpels vintage bangle watch. This piece weighs an impressive 176.4
Category

Vintage 1980s French Bangles

Materials

18k Gold

1950s Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lip Watch Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, hallmark owl. Antique watch ring it presents a round case surmounted
Category

Vintage 1950s French Retro More Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

20th Century 18 Karat Rose Gold Watch Chain Choker Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Chain in 18 karat rose gold, eagle haed hallmark. Magnificent antique chain featuring a thick
Category

20th Century French Belle Époque Chain Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Cartier Yellow Gold Santos Tortue Pasha Tank Watch Charm Link Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
watches of the French jewellery house Cartier. The models are from the Pasha, Tortue, Tank and Santos
Category

Vintage 1980s French Link Bracelets

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Yellow Gold Santos Tortue Pasha Tank Watch Charm Link Chain Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A rare 18k gold Cartier charm bracelet with 4 different miniature working movements in a variety of
Category

Early 2000s French Contemporary Chain Bracelets

Materials

18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Yellow and White Gold Enamel Turquoise Lapel Watch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A Van Cleef and Arpels, Paris, 18 karat yellow and white gold, turquoise and enamel lapel watch
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco More Jewelry

Materials

Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Paris 1970 Stylish Wrist Watch In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Crocodile Band
By Boucheron
Located in Miami, FL
A stylish wrist watch designed by Boucheron. Very handsome and sophisticated French piece of
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist More Jewelry

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Paris Art Deco Diamond Natural Pearl Enamel Gold Watch Pendant Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Greenwich, CT
spectacular natural pearl, diamond, and 18 karat white gold chain, this watch pendant is designed to be
Category

Vintage 1910s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

George L Enfant 1970 Paris for Rolex SA Braided Bracelet Watch 18Kt Yellow Gold
Located in Miami, FL
L'Enfant, back in the 1970. This bold wristwatch bracelet was crafted in solid braided yellow gold of 18
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist Link Bracelets

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

UTI Cuckoo Lapel Pin Watch 1940s
By Uti
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
diamonds and is made of 18k gold. The watch is in working condition. Signed UTI Paris.
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

George L Enfant 1970 For Rolex Watch Very Rare Op-Art Pendant 18Kt Yellow Gold
Located in Miami, FL
. This pendant watch has been crafted in solid yellow gold of 18 karats depicting a design of curvilinear
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist More Jewelry

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1930 European Spherical Watch Pendant In 18Kt Gold With Gradated Pearls
Located in Miami, FL
European spherical pendant watch with Pearls. An exceptional and beautiful watch-pendant from the
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Art Deco Guillotine Purse Watch
By Cartier
Located in New Orleans, LA
Cartier is an extremely rare find and in a class all its own. Crafted of 18K yellow gold, no detail was
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Boxes and Cases

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

UTI Paris 1948 for Eliakim Cairo Lapel Cuckoo Watch in 18kt Gold with Gemstones
Located in Miami, FL
Lapel cuckoo watch designed by UTI Paris. Fabulous and very unusual piece, created in Paris France
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...

Cartier Tank Americaine Ladies Watch in Diamonds 18 K Rose Gold
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Tank Américaine watch, small model, quartz movement. 18 karat gold case set with round-cut diamonds
Category

2010s French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage/Retro Mauboussin Watch, Diamond Emerald in 18-K White Gold, Automatic
By Mauboussin
Located in London, GB
Exceptional quality Vintage watch by Mauboussin, set with emerald, diamond and onyx in 18-carat
Category

1990s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, White Gold, 18k Gold

Cartier France Diamond Black Onyx 18K Gold Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
18K yellow gold with an approx total weight of 26.0 grams. Featuring (56) round-cut, factory set
Category

1990s Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Tiffany French 18K Yellow Gold, Diamond and Sapphire Back Wind Cocktail Watch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This elegant French, Tiffany ladies wristwatch with UTI movement, is crafted in luxurious 18K
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rolex Cellini Womens 18k Gold Spider Dial Watch
By Cartier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
with it. This watch face is made of 18k gold making it a great investment that will last a lifetime
Category

Vintage 1970s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Cartier Tank Americaine 18k Yellow Gold 1730 Watch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
The Cartier Tank Americaine 18K Yellow Gold 1730 Watch 1730 Watch makes a great purchase for those
Category

20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Watch W5200004
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
Specifications ____________________________________ Case Material 18K Yellow Gold Front / Stainless Steel
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Solo 18K Yellow Gold Watch W5200004
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
_________________________________________ Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold Front / Stainless Steel Backside Buckle Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Strap
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Solo 18K Rose Gold Watch W5200004
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
Specifications _________________________________________ Case Material: 18K Rose Gold Front / Stainless Steel
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Cartier Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Watch W5200004
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
Yellow Gold Front / Stainless Steel Backside Buckle Metal 18K Yellow Gold Strap Leather
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Watch W1018755
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
Yellow Gold Condition Excellent _________________________________________ Warranty Every watch is
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Watch W5200025
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
____________________________________ Case Material 18K Yellow Gold Front / Stainless Steel Backside Buckle Metal 18K Yellow Gold Strap
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Watch W1018755
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
____________________________________ Case Material 18K Yellow Gold Front / Stainless Steel Backside Buckle Metal 18K
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel

Cartier Tank Solo 18k Rose Gold Watch W5200026
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
Specifications ____________________________________ Case Material 18K Rose Gold Front / Stainless Steel Backside
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel, Rose Gold

Tiffany Company Ladies 18k Yellow Gold Atlas Wrist Watch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Tiffany & Company Atlas collection Ladies Wrist Watch, 24 M.M. 3 piece 18k Yellow Gold
Category

Early 2000s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Watch W5200004
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
******** Metal 18k Yellow Gold, Stainless steel Condition Excellent Other Info Approximate Dimensions: 35cm x
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel

Vintage French Ruby and Diamond Covered Watch Bracelet 18K Gold and Platinum
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous 18 Karat gold chain mail vintage bracelet features a covered watch adorned with 24
Category

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier 765510TX Ref 3167 Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Men s Watch French Strap
By Cartier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cartier 765510TX Ref 3167 Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Men's Watch French Strap Pre-owned condition
Category

2010s French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vintage Woman Watch in 18K Yellow Gold, Circa 1940
Located in Paris, FR
Mechanical ladies' watch circa 1940 in 18-carat yellow gold in the shape of a half-sphere set with
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank American Ladies 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Cartier Tank American ladies wrist watch, 34 X 19 MM 18K Yellow Gold water resistant
Category

Early 2000s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Pasha 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Round Dial Ladies Watch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Pasha 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Round Dial 32mm Ladies Watch. This magnificent Pasha de
Category

20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Louis Small Model 18k Yellow Gold Watch W1529856
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
____________________________________ Case Material 18K Yellow Gold Buckle Metal 18K Yellow Gold Strap
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Louis Small Model 18k Yellow Gold Watch W1529856
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
____________________________________ Case Material 18K Yellow Gold Buckle Metal 18K Yellow Gold Strap
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier 18K White Gold 28mm Panthere 1925 2323 Ladies Watch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Ladies fine and rare Cartier 18K White Gold Diamond Panthere 1925 Model Ref: 2323 Quartz Leather
Category

20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Papillon Watch, 18k
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Litchfield, CT
watch features the 18k yellow gold case and white mother pearl dial decorated with the signature diamond
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Panther Steel and 18k Gold Quartz Mid Size Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
and 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet with Fold over clasp, watch length 6 1/2 inches. Comes in a Cartier Suede
Category

Early 2000s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Steel

Cartier 18k Yellow Gold Smooth Bezel White Dial Automatic Ladies Watch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Find the perfect Cartier 18K Yellow Gold 35mm Smooth Bezel White Dial Automatic Ladies Watch in our
Category

20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier 18K Rose Gold Santos 100 XL Chronograph Mens Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier 18K Rose Gold Santos 100 XL Chronograph Mens Wrist Watch. Santos 100, reference 2935 Pink
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

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French 18k Gold Watch For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact french 18k gold watch you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Find an antique version now, or shop for 273 vintage or 8 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Making the right choice when shopping for a french 18k gold 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. Finding an appealing french 18k gold watch — no matter the origin — is easy, but Cartier, LB Exclusive and A. Augis each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A french 18k gold watch of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring Diamond, from our inventory of 66, is particularly popular. Today, if you’re looking for a rose cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes french cut and round cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for a french 18k gold watch, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a French 18k Gold Watch?

On average, a french 18k gold watch at 1stDibs sells for $3,173, while they’re typically $359 on the low end and $72,500 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Wrist-watches for You

Antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches have captured the hearts and minds of all manner of watch collectors as well as the watchmakers themselves — it's time you found your own.

Certain vintage watches for men and iconic watch designs for women are sought after not only because of their graceful proportions or innovative materials but also because of the illustrious histories of the houses that created them, histories that they stylishly embody.

Bulgari’s legendary 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 wristwatches.

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.

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.

Are you shopping for a wristwatch? 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 antique, vintage and luxury wristwatches for sale on 1stDibs.