A stainless steel and eighteen carat gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust reference 16233 with a Tiffany & Co. signed dial. This is a rare version of perhaps one of the all time icon Rolex watches; a two-tone, coin edge bezel, Datejust. This dial is a glossy white dial with black printing, a Roman hour marked dial with diamonds set hour markers. The printing really stands out from the white dial, and are complimented by the minute track with small dot minute marks in between the diamonds. The classic, solid gold, baton hands also contain the original luminous material. Being a diamond set dial, there is no luminous material on the dial itself, although it is stamped "T Swiss T" at the six o'clock position.
Rolex and Tiffany & Co. began a partnership in the 1950’s that allowed the luxury jewellery company to print its name on the Rolex dials that were to be sold in its boutiques. The original Tiffany-signed Rolex dials were completed by hand at their flagship store in New York City. This printing was then extended to other retail stores and then eventually to Tiffany’s service centers.
In the early 1990s, Rolex made the decision to stop supplying co-branded watches, and would no longer honour warranties if the dial stampings had been carried out at a Tiffany & Co. location. As a result, Tiffany & Co. stopped selling Rolex watches, and the two companies parted ways for good. Being that this watch, and 'E' serial number from 1990 makes it one of the last years these two powerhouses would team up.
The watch is powered by a Rolex, Swiss made, thirty-one jewel automatic calibre 3135 movement that powered the majority of all Rolex models since its launch in 1988, from the Datejust to the Submariner. These later models can be identified as they do not have the earlier, characteristic, 'pie pan' style dial. This model also comes with the more ergonomic 'Quick Set' date function, and the newly designed smaller profile case, all of which were introduced in the 1970's. This case has the spring bar holes exposed from the side, a 'holes' case, which was phased out around the mid to late 1990's.
The watch is fitted to its original Rolex Jubilee stainless steel and eighteen carat gold bracelet with four removable links in place, which, if needed, can be removed to make the bracelet smaller. The clasp is stamped "O11" for the eleventh month of 1990 production. There is a little sag to it, but nothing out of place from thirty five years of careful wear.
The watch was made circa 1990 with serial number E,586,XXX. The watch is in original condition, showing signs of light polishing to case. However, the case is very strong, with thick lugs.
The Datejust is perhaps one of the most produced models by Rolex, but if one model was to be listed as an example of the "Datejust" reference, it would be this; two tone with gold dial. This example with having the bonus addition of being Tiffany & Co. retail signed is a real plus. Tiffany is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance now under its new ownership which has seen demand for anything associated with the brand rise in price and collectibility. Add the Rolex brand name, and it is a powerful combination.
The watch comes with a Foundwell one year warranty against mechanical failure. There are no original papers and we are unaware of its service history.
