At the early days of Rolex, only one watch out of 5 came out of the manufacture with a name or a logo on the dial. Now all of them are branded Rolex, and even more. Yes, some other names appear on the dial.
Co-branding is simply stamping another brand name on the dial. It can be a retailer, a producer or just any organization. Here below are few examples of dials that not only have Rolex on it. I did not include other dials from armies or states.
Tiffany & Co
Maybe the most known co-branded partnership. Tiffany & Co is a world know jewelry retailer and sold timepieces from various brands. They printed their name on dials of timepieces sold through their network.
In the early 1960's, Tiffany started stamping their logo on Rolex dials in their service center in New York and later on in other shop locations. At the other hand, Rolex was creating equivalent dials in their manufacture in Geneva. This explains some variations in the dials that you can find out there. Interesting to know that Tiffany dials on Rolex are the most counterfeit.
Comex
In the 1970's the "Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises", mostly known as Comex, partners with Rolex to experiment their watches at deep depths. Since then, Comex divers were equipped with their timekeeping tool, firstly with the Rolex Submariner, then the Rolex Sea-Dweller. All models under the partnership had a Comex logo stamped on the dial.
Officially, about 1400-1800 Rolex Comex were produced. But the second hand market lists about 3000-3500 of them. Try to guess why... The most rarest model co-branded was the model 5514 produced at a dozen pieces, and the 16600 for the missions called Hydra, produced at 60 pieces.
Cartier
Cartier was selling Rolex watches in their shop in New York.
LINZ
A former Rolex dealer.
Coca-cola
Watches made for their employees with 25 years of service
Domino's Pizza
Bucherer
Like Tiffany & Co, Bucherer is a re-seller of jewelry and watches
Serpico Y Laino
A Rolex re-seller located previously in Caracas
Winn Dixie
Pool Intairdrill
Pan am Daytona
Lockeed
Woods Industries
AB Trucking Co
Busch
MC
Albilad
Joyeria Riviera
Masonic logo
And others:
- United
- Honda
- Lafayette oil Tourney
- Cotton Boal Classic
- Dow Corning
- Gramco
- Texas A&M university
I did not include other dials for governments, agencies, and military pieces. Many were made for UEA.
Leave a comment if you have other dials to share. Thanks
