Tiffany & Co. Dress Watch by Schlumberger

These days, any Tiffany-signed dress watch is a thing of note. But what about one co-signed by one of the most famed jewelry designers to ever grace Tiffany’s orbit?  Born in France in 1907, Jean Schlumberger came from a wealthy textile manufacturing family. Despite discouragement from his parents, Schlumberger persisted in his sketching and designing interest until the outbreak of World War II. After surviving Dunkirk and service in the Middle East, he came to New York, where he began designing for Tiffany & Co. in the 1950s at the personal request of company president Walter Hoving. This particular dress watch bears Schlumberger’s signature, attesting to his design. (Schlumberger was one of just four jewelers and industrial designers who was allowed to sign his work for the brand.) Housed in a 23mm 18K yellow gold case with a sapphire crystal, an 18K yellow gold crown, and a large, polished bezel, it features a sunburst champagne dial with applied, faceted gold indices, a matching gold ‘sword’ handset, and dual ‘Tiffany & Co.’ and ‘Schlumberger’ signatures.  Powered by a quartz movement, the unique case with its wide bezel features the crown on the back, where a brown leather strap with a detachable, yellow gold clasp meets the lugs. With its mix of classical and contemporary attributes, it’s the perfect watch for someone who appreciates funky industrial design and restrained elegance.  Try it on for size!