Messi and Alcaraz Maintain Popularity of Luxury Watch Style
Jazzing Up Your Timepiece: The Popularity of Tiffany-Inspired Blue Dials
The year 2022 saw a grand farewell for Patek Philippe's Nautilus ref. 5711, with a series of exclusive editions highlighting the legendary watch's desirability. The crowning glory? A dial in Tiffany & Co's signature light blue, exclusively allocated to the brand's select clientele. Despite its limited production of 170 pieces, a lucky buyer secured one for a whopping $6.5 million at auction. Notable owners of this iconic timepiece include Jay-Z, Mark Wahlberg, LeBron James, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Tiffany blue craze certainly didn't stop there. Fast-forward to today, and stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Lionel Messi are sporting their own interpretations of the trend— Alcaraz rocking the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in yellow gold (ref. 1265LN) on an Oysterflex bracelet, while Messi boasts the Tudor Black Bay Chrono "Flamingo Blue."
Although neither of these watches bears the genuine “Tiffany" dial co-branded with the retailer's name, the light blue colorway has become a favorite among watchmakers. Both Rolex and Tudor have hopped on the bandwagon, “Rolex Oyster Perpetual” unveiling a light-blue watch in 2020 and Tudor with its "Flamingo Blue" chrono. Brands like Bell & Ross and Zenith have also joined the party with their BR-X5 Ice Blue Steel and Defy Skyline 36, respectively. Even budget-friendly Tissot offers a$1K sub-design in this fun and fashionable shade.
Whether on the tennis court, soccer pitch, or the red carpet, the craving for this eye-catching hue doesn't appear to be waning anytime soon. As more watch enthusiasts expand their collection with summer-friendly timepieces, the Tiffany blue dial continues to steal the spotlight. Whether it's our fascination with America's foremost luxury purveyor, Tiffany & Co, or the unique charm that this color brings to wristwatches, one thing is clear—Tiffany blue is here to stay.
Bonus Facts:
*The term "Tiffany Blue" is often used colloquially to describe Rolex's turquoise or Tiffany & Co's signature blue color for its dials, packaging, and branding. However, Rolex refers to the color as "turquoise," and it's not officially called "Tiffany Blue" by the brand[1][2].
*Although Rolex is the most commonly associated brand with Tiffany-style blue dials, other luxury brands like Glashütte Original, Audemars Piguet, and Omega have also incorporated shades of blue into their designs to cater to the growing demand for these vibrant timepieces[4].
- The popularity of Tiffany-inspired blue dials continues to expand beyond watchmaking, found at Tiffany & Co's fashion-and-beauty line and sports gadgets, such as smartphones and fitness trackers with matching color combinations.
- The iconic light blue color has seeped into various lifestyle segments, with brands like Apple, Fitbit, and Under Armour choosing to incorporating this stylish hue in their technology and sports-related product lineups.
- A growing number of athletic apparel companies, such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma, have adopted the Tiffany blue schema in their sports clothing, footwear, and accessories, reminiscent of a modern-day "uniform."
- Furthermore, sports teams like the New York Giants and the LA Lakers have adopted the Tiffany blue color as part of their sports-analysis graphics and promotional material to align with the trendy and upscale aesthetic associated with the color.
- Even the realms of high-fashion and haute-couture cannot resist the allure of Tiffany blue, as designers iterate the shade in their fabric choices, accessories, and overall design ethos, bringing the diverse and widely-embraced color into the fashion-conscious world.
