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.
$10,080Sale Price|20% Off
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
$25,520Sale Price|20% Off
Bvlgari Tubogas 18K Tri Color BB 19 1 T Serpenti Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional Bvlgari Tubogas Serpenti watch crafted entirely in 18k tri-color gold, combining yellow, rose and white gold throughout the flexible coiled bracelet. The alternating g...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari BB19 Tubogas Tri-Color Gold Wrap Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A Bulgari Tubogas 18k multi-color gold triple wrap-around watch, BB19 model (the case diameter is 19 mm). An iconic piece that lately became a must-have among fashionistas all over t...
Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Tubogas 18K Yellow Gold Ladies Watch bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An icon of Italian goldsmithing, this Bulgari Tubogas watch pairs the house's most recognizable design signature with a construction technique unlike anything else in fine watchmakin...
18k 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
$16,480Sale Price|20% Off
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 Tubogas Watch in Stainless Steel and 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Lucerne, CH
Introducing the Bvlgari "Tubogas" watch in stainless steel and gold, a timepiece that tells a captivating story of heritage and innovation. This collection is a celebration of Bvlgar...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel, Steel
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
$18,400Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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 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 Serpenti Tubogas SP35G 18K Yellow Gold Single wWap Diamond Case Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas SP35G ladies' watch. 35MM 18K yellow gold & factory diamonds set bezel. White dial with yellow gold hands and index and Roman numeral hour markers. Tubogas 1...
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 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 Tubogas BB232T 18K Yellow, Rose & White Gold Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Tubogas ladies' watch BB232T. This timepiece features a 23mm case made from 18k yellow gold, with an 18k yellow gold fixed bezel engraved with the Bvlgari logo. The black dia...
18k 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.
