Tiffany & Co. Antique Driver’s Watch ca.1900 – Early Wristwatch Conversion, Sterling Silver 93.5%, Porcelain Dial, 41mm, Rare Tiffany Movement

A remarkable survivor from the dawn of the wristwatch era, this Tiffany & Co. driver’s watch represents one of the earliest moments in history when pocket watches were transformed into wearable instruments for motoring. Built at the turn of the 20th century—when driving shifted from carriage servants to the prestige of owners themselves—this piece captures the birth of modern wristwear, design ingenuity, and Tiffany’s legendary craftsmanship.

A fully original porcelain dial, sterling silver case, blued-steel hands, and a true Tiffany in-house movement make this an extraordinarily rare artifact of horological evolution.

❤️ Description

This circa 1900 Tiffany & Co. Driver’s Watch stands at the historical crossroads between pocket watches and the modern wristwatch. During the early automotive age, when personal driving was becoming a new status symbol, select pocket watches were adapted with soldered wire-lugs to be worn on the wrist—pioneering the first generation of men’s wristwatches.

This example features later-added round soldered lugs designed specifically for left-wrist inner placement, ensuring that when gripping a steering wheel at the traditional 8 o’clock angle, the dial’s 12 o’clock remains vertically aligned for clear visibility. These early driver’s watches predate trench watches and embody both motoring culture and the refinement of Tiffany clientele.

The 41mm sterling silver case (93.5% purity) predates the modern 92.5% standard and reflects the metal quality of its era. Engraved initials on the case back indicate Tiffany’s historic personalization service, one that continues even today.

The porcelain enamel dial remains original, with characteristic hairlines near 1–2 o’clock—common for authentic porcelain of this age. Despite the fragility of porcelain dials, Tiffany retained the original, further amplifying the piece’s historical purity.

Blued steel hands shine with a deep, tempered hue, and the Tiffany-manufactured movement—exceedingly rare in itself—remains well preserved, running within ±5 minutes/day, which is exceptional for a 120-year-old timepiece.

The watch is paired with a remarkable custom strap crafted from 1940s U.S. military deadstock canvas, reworked with linen thread and hand-sewn buttonholes. It is a functional museum-grade accessory in its own right.

Overall, this watch represents a crucial evolutionary step in horology: the transformation from pocket timekeeping to wearable wrist instruments. As an intact Tiffany original with matching case and movement serials, it stands as an exceedingly scarce collectible for those who value authenticity, provenance, and mechanical heritage.

✨ Highlights & Features

• Early-driver’s wristwatch adaptation from Tiffany & Co. (ca. 1900).

• Sterling silver case in 93.5% purity (higher than today’s 92.5%).

• Original porcelain enamel dial with authentic aging lines.

• Tiffany in-house movement with matching serial numbers.

• Designed for left-wrist inner positioning for early automobile steering ergonomics.

• Original blued steel hands with deep tempering shine.

• Large 41mm case size suitable for modern wear.

• Vintage strap made from 1940s U.S. Army deadstock canvas.

• Fully functional movement within antique tolerances.

📘 Item Details

Brand: Tiffany & Co.
Era: ca. 1900
Movement: Tiffany in-house, manual wind
Serial Number: 1737772 (matches case serial)
Case Material: Sterling silver (93.5% purity)
Case Diameter: 41 mm (excluding crown)
Dial: Porcelain enamel, original
Hands: Blued steel
Lug Type: Added wire lugs (driver’s watch conversion)
Lug Width: 18 mm
Strap: 1940s U.S. military deadstock canvas, linen thread, hand-sewn buttonholes
Condition: Running well within ±5 min/day
Notes: Engraved with original owner initials; original dial, original hands

🧭 Condition Report

Condition Grade: Vintage Artifact Grade (VA Grade)
An exceptionally preserved early wristwatch conversion piece.

Case:

• Sterling silver with natural antique patina.

• No major dents; engraving on case back remains legible.

Dial:

• Original porcelain with 1–2 o’clock hairlines (expected for age).

• No repaint; retains full authenticity.

Hands:

• Blued steel hands intact with rich coloration.

Movement:

• Tiffany in-house movement, matching serial numbers.

• Smooth winding; running within antique tolerances.

Strap:

• Recently crafted from 1940s military canvas stock; artisanal workmanship.

This piece maintains structural integrity and historical authenticity at a museum-worthy level.

🌍 Why Collectors Want This Piece

• Represents one of the earliest transformations from pocket watch to wristwatch.

• Genuine driver’s watch, predating trench watches and WWI adaptations.

• Tiffany & Co. watches with in-house movements are extremely rare.

• 93.5% sterling case purity is historically significant and collectible.

• Original porcelain dial and matching serials add tremendous value.

• Large, wearable 41mm size makes it attractive to modern collectors.

• Perfect convergence of horology, automotive history, and early wristwatch evolution.

🏛️ Brand Heritage — Tiffany & Co.

Since the 19th century, Tiffany & Co. has stood at the pinnacle of American luxury craftsmanship. Long before their modern jewelry fame, Tiffany was a respected watchmaker that collaborated with premier Swiss ateliers and produced its own movements for elite clients.

Turn-of-the-century Tiffany watches carried an aesthetic of refinement and precision, often personalized for their owners—a tradition still upheld today. This early wristwatch conversion illustrates Tiffany’s pioneering adaptation to lifestyle changes brought on by the automobile age, making it a living document of innovation and taste.

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