In the 1950s, a unique partnership was formed between esteemed luxury brands, Tiffany & Co. and Rolex, carrying on for about thirty years. Rolex watches, featuring both the Tiffany & Co. and Rolex logos on their dial, graced the showcases of Tiffany & Co. stores. Today, these rarities spark significant interest among vintage watch collectors and enthusiasts, due to their limited production run.
Prior to the 50s, Tiffany & Co. retailed watches crafted by various manufacturers, but it was in this decade they began imprinting their own logo on these accessories. Consequently, watches born from the Rolex collaboration could be serviced by either manufacturer.
The alliance, however, came to an abrupt end in the early 90s following branding disputes. In this article, we delve into the top three timepieces from this fascinating series.
Submariner Model 1680
Introduced in 1966 and produced until the late 70s, this watch was a pioneer in the Submariner collection, debuting the date window feature. It was also distinguished by the Cyclops lens attached to its acrylic glass. Several variants of this model were released over the years.
Initial models bore a red Submariner label, later transitioned to white during its production journey. The sequence of meter and feet indications was also reversed. Every model was uniquely marked with the Tiffany & Co. logo. In subsequent versions, the Twinlock waterproofing system was upgraded to the stronger Triplock variant.
GMT-Master Model 16700
The GMT-Master model 16700, adorned with Tiffany & Co. branding, is an immediately recognizable timepiece featuring a red and blue dial and a stainless steel structure. Launched in 1988, it superseded the previous GMT-Master model 16750.
The upgraded series was equipped with fresh features like a novel case design, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and the advanced Caliber 3175 movement. Introduced concurrently with the GMT-Master II by Rolex, model 16700 offered a more economical alternative to the model 16710.
Submariner Model 1680/8
With noteworthy similarities to the 1680 series, model 1680/8 appeared as its yellow gold counterpart, boasting identical functionalities. Accompanied by a gold anchor, it bore two minor etchings, “200” and “660,” denoting its water depth resistance. A crowd favorite among this series spotlighted a black dial with gold hour markers, proudly sporting the “Tiffany & Co.” label.
Due to printing oversight from both Rolex and Tiffany & Co., finished products showed variations, potentially leading to disguised counterfeit Tiffany & Co. branded Rolexes. Even avid watch enthusiasts might struggle to discern these. This emphasizes the importance of purchasing these exclusive models only from trusted retailers, should you come across one.
If you are looking to buy an authentic, pre-owned Rolex watch, or any fine pre-owned watch brand, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers at our San Diego Avenue location. Even if we don’t currently have the model you are looking for in our ever-changing selection, we promise to go above and beyond to find it for you, using our vast network of global connections.
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