Tiffany & Co. Oversized

Tiffany & Co. may be best known for robin’s egg boxes and engagement rings, but once in a while they step out with something that doesn’t need a diamond to sparkle. Enter this oversized, ribbed-cased rectangular piece from the 1970s—a striking collaboration with Chopard that looks like it was born to be worn at Studio 54... or possibly at the Met, depending on how late you’re running.

At 41mm long, this thing is unapologetically jumbo for its era. But despite the stretch, the slim 23mm width makes it surprisingly wearable—more velvet tuxedo than linebacker shoulder pad. The elongated case is wrapped in bold vertical ribs that run uninterrupted across the top and bottom like architectural pleats. There’s something unapologetically Art Deco about it, but with enough 1970s glam to make it feel a little dangerous. It doesn’t sit on your wrist—it stages a sit-in.

The dial is beautifully restrained. No numerals. No sub-dials. Just a brushed champagne surface and a sharp black Tiffany & Co. stamp dead center. Dauphine hands slice through the quiet like they’ve got somewhere to be. The entire front feels like a moodboard for minimalism.

Open the case and the surprises keep coming. Signed “L.U. Chopard & Cie,” the inside tells a different side of the story—this wasn’t just designed to look good, it was built to move. Inside is a hand-wound Chopard 17-jewel movement, doing its job with crisp Geneva pride. If you’re wondering about the L.U.C. bit, that’s the original house name of Louis-Ulysse Chopard, a nod to their pre-modern brand identity before the LVMH-era branding polish came in. Back then, L.U.C. Chopard was more old-world watchmaker than luxury darling, and this piece reflects that: pure, purpose-built, and refreshingly un-marketed.

Curiously, the case is German-made. Which isn’t a mistake—many Chopard cases from the era were produced in Germany, prized for their machining and precious metal work. It adds yet another layer to this watch’s multi-passport identity: Swiss movement, German case, and American retail dreamboat.

And speaking of retail—Tiffany has always played well with others. From being Patek Philippe’s first U.S. retail partner in 1854 (a partnership still going strong 170 years later), to slapping their name beside Rolex, IWC, and Movado through the 20th century, Tiffany’s eye for timekeeping credibility is well documented. This watch is one of the rarer flips of the formula: Tiffany front and center, with Chopard quietly powering the show from behind the curtain.

You’d be forgiven for thinking Tiffany watches are all about aesthetics. But this one has mechanical credibility, historical relevance, and real collector intrigue. No shared dial real estate. No co-branding footnotes. Just a solo act—with a powerhouse stage crew.