This week, Patek Philippe announced the release of a Tiffany & Co. dial Nautilus ref 5711, to celebrate 170 years of partnership between the New York retailer and the Genevan watchmaker. With the level of hype that already existed around the Nautilus (which is set to be discontinued by Patek Philippe), adding a little robin egg blue to the mix was the horological equivalent of throwing a lit cigarette into an oil well. So if you aren’t one of the lucky folks set to receive one of the 170 pieces that have been made, what are some alternatives to the Tiffany-blue Patek Philippe Nautilus?
Believe it or not, despite the specific shade of blue being so closely linked to the branding of Tiffany & Co., there have been a number of watch brands that have dabbled with the hue in recent years. Including the likes of Rolex, Doxa, Kurono and more, the Tiffany-blue options you can currently get are better than you’d expect.
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Alternatives To The Tiffany-Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus
Doxa Sub 300 Carbon COSC
If you’re looking for a lightweight, technical dive watch that still looks the goods after stepping foot on dry land, the Doxa Sub 300 Carbon COSC is a very solid option. In fact, almost all other watches that use forged carbon will set you back at least 6-figures, making Doxa’s offering pretty impressive value too. Combined with a charming blue dial and a matching rubber strap, this 42.5mm dive watch will turn heads for the right reasons.
Kurono Tokyo Seiji
In the short time that Kurono Tokyo has been in business (as the affordable offering of master watchmaker Hajime Asaoka), the brand has built a cult following that appreciates the clean case lines, uncluttered dials and approachable price point. The Kurono Tokyo Seiji was released earlier this year as a 500-piece limited edition aimed at female collectors, though I’d have to say it looks good on anyone’s wrist. With a universally wearable 37mm steel case, sculptural hands and the blue dial we know and love, it’s a compelling piece to add to the collection.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 ref. 126000
Towards the end of 2020, Rolex briefly changed course from the conservative, incremental approach they design their new watches with, releasing five brightly coloured and downright fun Oyster Perpetual models. Within the mix that included coral red, yellow, forest green and candy pink, Rolex also created a soft turquoise dial, which is about as close to Tiffany-blue as you can get. This classic three-handed watch features a 36mm steel case with a comfortable steel bracelet, offering a subtle pop of colour to any outfit.
Breitling Chronomat B01 42
This tidy-looking chronograph from Breitling has a slightly icier take on the iconic robin egg blue dial, with contrasting black subdials that visually tone it down just the right amount. Featuring a balanced 42mm steel case, the entire timepiece is elevated by the presence of a polished platinum bezel, juxtaposing the black rubber strap that secures the watch to your wrist. Powered by the in-house and COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 with 70 hours of power reserve, as well as 200m of water resistance, there’s a lot to like from Breitling here.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five “Cotton Candy”
When Oris announced the Sixty-Five “Cotton Candy” collection earlier this year, it immediately won fans around the world for their use of a bronze case and bracelet, combined with a trio of pastel-tone dials. With options in pink, green and an increasingly recognisable soft blue, it was a dive watch unlike anything we’d seen in recent decades. With a 38mm case, 100m of water resistance and the beautifully warm bronze tone on the wrist, there’s a lot to love about this piece from Oris.
Halios Seaforth
If you’ve not come across Halios watches before, the Vancouver-based outfit has been running since 2009, offering well-built and affordable tool watches for collectors and enthusiasts alike. The Seaforth collection is Halios’ take on a purpose-made dive watch, with a balanced dial and date at 6 o’clock, boasting a decent 200m of water resistance. In the fourth series of the Seaforth, a Tiffany-blue dial was selected, and it works perfectly with the brushed steel case and cool luminous paint on the hands and dial. If you’re looking for an affordable option that doesn’t cut corners in quality, the Halios Seaforth is worth checking out.
