Rolex

1987 Rolex Oyster-Perpetual Date (Ref. 15000) Silver "Tiffany & Co." Dial

The Rolex Oyster-Perpetual Date is one of the best value-per-dollar Rolex watches that exist on the market today. Priced slightly below the more predominantly known and slightly larger Rolex Datejust, the vintage OP Date is often found in great condition with unique dials that offer more presence than could be achieved by case size. 

The Oyster-Perpetual Date ref. 15000 is an uncommonly seen and often overlooked model that is actually quite the wolf in sheep's clothing. This model was introduced in 1980 and is the very transitional - direct successor to the long-running Rolex ref. 1500 model line. The ref. 15000 employs the updated Rolex cal. 3035 movement, which possesses a quick-set date function, and an updated bracelet, but while also sporting tritium dials and acrylic crystals. The updated functionality and vintage flair of the Oyster-Perpetual ref. 15000 is hard to match, especially for its price point.

“Tiffany & Co.” signed Rolex watches are the elusive and forever desirable variants of our favorite models offered by the horological house. Beginning in the late 1950s, Tiffany & Co. began printing their name on the dials of watches from various Swiss brands that were sold through their retail locations. Though they worked with a variety of brands in this era, the “Tiffany & Co.” co-branded Rolex are by far the most talked about, well-known, and collected amongst the lot, and for good reason. The relationship between Tiffany and Rolex carried on until the 1990s when Tiffany & Co. entered into an exclusive partnership with Patek Philippe. Interestingly, the Tiffany & Co. logos were printed by hand at the Tiffany Location in New York City, not by Rolex.

SPECS

Stock # RLXOP15000TIF
Brand Rolex
Style Oyster-Perpetual Date
Model 15000
Serial R2XXXXX
Size Men's
Material Stainless Steel
Dial Silver "Tiffany & Co."
Millimeters 34
Bracelet Rolex 78350 Oyster Bracelet W/ 557 End Pieces

CASE & BRACELET

The excellent case retains extremely thick and symmetrical lugs that show light signs of honest use and minimal evidence of previous polishing. The smooth stainless steel bezel is also in wonderful shape showing only gentle wear. The original Rolex 78350 Oyster bracelet with 557 end pieces retains 12 links that show almost no stretch and will fit up to a 7 1/4-inch wrist. 

DIAL & HANDS

The original silver sunburst "Tiffany & Co." co-branded dial is simply beautiful and in virtually perfect condition, showing no damage or notable elements of age, though the dial does possess a very subtle warmth which adds to the vintage aesthetic of the watch. The tritium lume plots remain a bright eggshell color and show no degradation under UV light inspection. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly with no degradation present when inspected under UV light. The white date wheel is original with open 6's and 9's.

ACCESSORIES 

None. The watch is keeping time perfectly, previous service history is unknown.