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 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 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 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 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 Quadrato F1218 SQ 22 2T 22mm Square Dial Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Bvlgari Quadrato F1218 SQ 22 2T watch is a beautifully preserved and uncommon piece, known for its clean architectural lines and rare 22mm square dial. Crafted in 18K two-tone gold, it reflects Bvlgari’s signature style with a blend of refined simplicity and modern Italian design. The watch remains in excellent condition, with a clear crystal free of scratches, sharp and well-defined case edges, and a bracelet that shows no slack, maintaining its original firm structure. It runs reliably and smoothly, making it both a functional timepiece and a noteworthy collector’s item. With its distinctive square dial, minimalistic elegance, and impressive preservation, this Quadrato model stands out as a sophisticated and rare vintage Bvlgari watch...
Gold, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
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
Bulgari Tubogas 18K Yellow and Blackened Gold Vintage Rare Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Bulgari Tubogas watch is a stunning piece of craftsmanship, showcasing a unique and elegant design. Made in Italy around 1975, it features a striking combination of 18-karat yell...
18k Gold
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 Serpenti Tubogas Diamond Rose Gold Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
Experience the captivating allure of this Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas watch, a masterpiece of Italian jewelry and horological design. Crafted in luxurious 18k rose gold, this iconic pie...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose 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
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
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
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.
