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 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 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 Diagono BB30GGD 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Diagono BB30GGD Ladies Watch. 30mm 18K yellow gold case with 18K yellow gold bezel. Black dial with gold hands and index & Arabic numeral hour markers. Date display at the 3 ...
18k Gold
Bvlgari Bvlgari (Bulgari) Mens Watch, BB 33 SGL - Stainless SS & Solid 18K Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
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 18k Tri-Color Gold Tubogas Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in Flushing, NY
Featuring a black dial within a signed circular case, integrated with Bulgari's iconic tri-color 18K gold Tubogas flexible bracelet. Swiss made. Approximate Dimensions: 2.3 cm (Ca...
18k 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
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 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
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
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.
