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Vintage Boucheron Diamond Gold Watch Circle Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A rare vintage watch by Boucheron crafted of 18k gold, featuring diamonds. The case and bracelet's
Category

Vintage 1970s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Bouton D or Medium Model Diamond Dial Watch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A luxurious timepiece from the iconic French maison, this Van Cleef & Arpels Bouton d’Or watch is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

1960s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Zenith Lady s Watch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Watch in 18 karat yellow gold, owl hallmark. The case is square with rounded corners, with a golden
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Cougar Yellow Gold Large Quartz Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Cartier Cougar Wrist Watch, 34 M.M. 18K Yellow Gold 3 Piece Water Resistant case, Quartz
Category

1990s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Vintage Gucci Yellow Gold Wood Circle Link Bracelet Watch
By Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
with the Gucci makers mark, French marks, a country of origin (France) and a hallmark for 18k gold
Category

Vintage 1980s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Ellipse Ladies Yellow Gold and Diamond Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Cartier Ellipse Ladies Wrist Watch, 25 x 22 M.M. 2 piece 18k Yellow Gold case set with
Category

1990s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Watch ca 1940 s With Gold Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
A rare Cartier tank watch ca' 1940's in 18k, with original Cartier C+B 14k bracelet (signed and
Category

Vintage 1940s French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Poiray Ma Premiere Steel Gold watch new strap
By Poiray
Located in PARIS, FR
Poiray watch, Ma Première model, in steel and yellow gold, quartz mechanism, silver background with
Category

Early 2000s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Steel

Cartier Centure 1970s Yellow Gold Manual Wind Wrist watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Cartier Paris Centure Collection Wrist Watch, 18k Yellow Gold 27 X 27 M.M. 2 Piece
Category

Vintage 1970s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mauboussin Black Dial 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Watch
By Mauboussin
Located in Oakton, VA
Mauboussin Watch - 18K Yellow Gold - Weight 111.87 Grams - 7.7 inches length - 34mm Dial Diameter
Category

1990s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1950s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lady s Bangle Wrist Watch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Woman's watch in 18 karat yellow gold, minerve hallmark. It is formed of a bracelet made of an oval
Category

Vintage 1950s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier EWC Gold and Enamel 1920s Pocket Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Cartier pocket Watch, 46 MM Diameter and 4.5 MM thick 18K Yellow Gold 2 piece case
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold

1960s Eterna Retro 18 Karat Yellow Gold Women s Watch
By Eterna
Located in Poitiers, FR
Lady's wristwatch in 18 karat yellow gold. Square dial, amati cream background, partially enameled
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Classic Yellow Gold Manual Wind Unisex Tank Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Cartier Tank collection Wrist Watch, 23 X 22 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 Piece case, 17
Category

Vintage 1980s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Pasha White Gold Fully Loaded Diamond Set Watch
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning ladies 32mm Pasha wristwatch, crafted in 18k white gold by Cartier. Featuring a silver
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Ceinture vintage 1970s Yellow Gold Mid Size Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Cartier Ceinture mid size Wrist Watch, 27 X 27 M.M 2 piece 18k Yellow Gold case
Category

Vintage 1970s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Hermes Faubourg Joaillerie watch white gold and diamonds
By Hermès
Located in London, England
Hermes Diamond-set white gold watch, quartz movement, diamond-set white gold dial, bracelet in
Category

2010s French Art Nouveau Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

CHAUMET Anneau watch
By Chaumet
Located in PARIS, FR
CHAUMET Anneau watch 18k yellow gold ring with diamonds. Condition: very good condition. Movement
Category

1990s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

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

Chanel Gold Première Diamond Quartz Model H0114 Ladies Watch
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Chanel Gold Première Diamond Quartz Model H0114 Ladies Watch. 18K yellow gold 20mm x 26mm Chanel
Category

20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian French 2 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Star Pocket Watch
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely exquisite diamond pocket watch from the Victorian (1880s) era! French in origin, this
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Cartier Cougar 18K Yellow Gold – Ref. 887904
By Cartier
Located in Berlin, BE
Cartier Cougar 18K Yellow Gold – Ref. 887904 Elegant Cartier Cougar in 18K yellow gold, featuring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Rotondo De Cartier Day Night White Gold Large Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Cartier Rotonde De Cartier Reference 2873 I Wrist Watch, 42 M.M 18k White Gold water
Category

Early 2000s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Tank Solo Large Yellow Gold and Steel Quartz Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2018 Cartier Tank Solo reference 2742 Large Wrist Watch. 34 X 27 MM water resistant 18k
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel

Cartier Ronde Solo 2889 Mid Size Rose Gold Quartz Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2020 Cartier Ronde Solo Reference 2886 Mid size Wrist watch, 29 M.M 2 piece 18k Rose Gold
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

Pasha de Cartier Yellow Gold Moonphase Calendar Chronograph Watch, 1986
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier "Pasha de Cartier" 18k Moon Phase Calendar Watch, year 1986. 18k solid yellow gold, with
Category

Vintage 1980s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Cartier Santos Galbee Yellow Gold and Steel Quartz Ladies Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Stainless Steel 3 piece case with 18k Yellow Gold bezel, Sapphire set crown, Sapphire Glass Crystal, Quartz
Category

1990s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel, 18k Gold

Chaumet Paris Elysses 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Bracelet Watch
By Chaumet
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
round 24mm Mother of Pearl watch face. The substantial 18 karat yellow gold bracelet band is 1/2 inch
Category

20th Century French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Le Roy Fils. A Rose Gold Keywind Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch. C1820
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Le Roy et Fils. A Rare 18ct Rose Gold Quarter Repeater Keywind Cylinder Openface Pocket Watch
Category

Antique 1820s French Pocket Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Rose Gold

Cartier Tank Francaise Ref 1840 Large Yellow Gold Automatic Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2005 Cartier Tank Francaise Reference 1840 Wrist Watch, 28 X 24 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece
Category

Early 2000s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

20th Century Antique Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Collar Watch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Collar watch in 18 karat yellow gold, horse head hallmark. Lady's watch with manual winding. Dark
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Pocket Watches

Materials

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

Cartier Rare King George VI Gold Five Pound Coin Watch C1937
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
Cartier. A Rare and Highly Important King George VI Gold Five Pound Coin Watch, C1937. Dial: The
Category

20th Century French Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels "Charms" large Diamond and Rose Gold Wrist Watch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2020 Van Cleef & Arples "Charms" Collection Wrist Watch, 32 M.M 18k Rose Gold 2 Piece water
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Chopard Kutchinsky Women s Bracelet Watch in 18 Karat Gold Diamonds
By Chopard
Located in Paris, FR
CHOPARD Woman's bracelet watch in 18 Kt yellow Gold and diamonds from the house of KUTCHINSKY
Category

Vintage 1960s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

Cartier Tank Francaise 2366 White Gold and Diamond Large Automatic Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2020 Cartier Tank Francaise Reference 2366 Wrist Watch, 32 x 28 M.M. 18k White Gold 2 Piece
Category

2010s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Boucheron Diamond Monogram Watch
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
Boucheron Diamond & Gold Locket Watch. A gold watch featuring a diamond Monogram opening to
Category

Vintage 1970s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Cartier Tank American Yellow Gold and Diamond Pave Chronograph Wrist watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
, 35 X 26 M.M. 18k Yellow Gold 2 piece water resistant case with 3 rows of fine white Round Brilliant
Category

Early 2000s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Chaumet Etonche Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Wristwatch
By Chaumet
Located in Delray Beach, FL
From the luxury French watchmaker Chaumet, an exquisite 18K yellow gold and diamond Chaumet Paris
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Chaumet Wristwatch in 18K Gold and Diamonds, Model Style
By Chaumet
Located in Paris, FR
Woman's wristwatch in 18K GOLD and diamonds from the house of CHAUMET. Model Style. Watch length
Category

1990s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Breguet Yellow Gold Pin Set Manual Wind Watch, circa 1900 s
By Breguet
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Breguet Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Pin Setting METAL / MATERIAL: 18
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Boucheron Lady s Yellow Gold, Bakelite and Diamond Bracelet Watch circa 1970s
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful feminine watch created by Boucheron in the 1970s. Tasteful combination of brown Bakelite
Category

Vintage 1970s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Ultra Vintage Women Watch Off White Dial Yellow Gold Case 18 Karat
By Ultra
Located in Vannes, FR
round case in 18-carat yellow gold, this watch will captivate your eye from the very first moment. The
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Trinity 18K Tri Color Trinity Round Dial 27mm 1990 s Diamond Watch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
watch is meticulously crafted from lustrous 18-karat yellow gold, adding a touch of opulence to your
Category

20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Cartier 18k White Gold Ballon Bleu Pavé Diamond Wristwatch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Cartier 18k White Gold Ballon Bleu Pavé Diamond Wristwatch An exquisite Cartier Ballon Bleu
Category

2010s French Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel, White Gold

20th Century Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Black Enamel Star Pocket Watch Pendant
Located in Poitiers, FR
Pendant- watch in 18 karat rose gold. Antique women's collar watch with a round case. The back is
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel

French 1940s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tubogaz Wristwatch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Watch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. The case is rectangular in shape, the cream
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1920 Bernard Poitevin #1 (Like Audemars Piguet) Vintage Mens Officers 18K Gold
Located in Suwanee, GA
. 1920 BERNARD POITEVIN #1 (Like Audemars Piguet) Vintage Mens Officers 18K Gold Watch - Ultra Rare
Category

Vintage 1920s French Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

UTI Paris 1930 Art-Deco Odd Shape Pocket Watch In Solid 18Kt Yellow Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Pocket watch designed by UTI Paris. This is a very unusual pocket watch created in Paris France by
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Patek Philippe Twenty~4 4910 in 18k rose gold and diamond
By Patek Philippe
Located in Berlin, BE
Elegant Patek Philippe Twenty~4 4910 in 18k Rose Gold with Diamonds – Excellent Condition This
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Chopard Happy Diamonds in 18k gold Ref. 204292-0001
By Chopard
Located in Berlin, BE
-wound watch by Chopard includes an extra key to wind the watch. The mesmerizing Happy Diamonds design of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier Tank Américaine 18k White Gold Full Set – 1994 Quartz – Ref. 3012905
By Cartier
Located in Berlin, BE
Cartier Tank Américaine in 18k White Gold – Full Set This elegant Cartier Tank Américaine watch
Category

1990s French Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Panthère 18k White Gold 27mm Quartz 1991 Box Only, Full Links
By Cartier
Located in Berlin, BE
Cartier Panthère watch in 18k white gold, manufactured in 1991. The watch comes with its original
Category

1990s French Aesthetic Movement Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Breguet 18kt Yellow Gold Art Deco Style Manual Winding Watch, Circa 1950 s
By Breguet
Located in Long Beach, CA
gold as well as the dial markers and the hands. The watch is entirely hand produced and beautifully
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Tourneru 18 Karat White Gold Diamond and Mother of Pearl Watch with Gator Strap
By Tourneau
Located in New York, NY
This modern Tourneru watch is 18K White Gold, it sports surrounding Diamonds and a Mother Of Pearl
Category

Vintage 1980s French Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Ronde Louis Diamond Bezel Watch
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
white gold bezel set with 68 round brilliant cut diamonds and a crown set with an inverted diamond. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Retro Mystery Watch/Bracelet
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An 18k yellow gold Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet/mystery watch with diamonds. Circa 1940s. Circular
Category

Vintage 1940s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French Ladies Yellow Gold Diamond Retro Mechanical Wristwatch, 1940s
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ladies watch. Bracelet and rectangular case in 18 carats yellow gold. Background of the case of
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

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