Solar watches have been around since the late 1960s and early '70s right when the world was obsessed with space-age gadgets and the watch industry was in the midst of a tech-fuelled era. Japanese brands led the charge (no pun intended), but luxury Swiss houses eventually caught the solar bug too. Now, a fresh contender has entered the arena.
Tiffany & Co. is making its horological debut in the solar space with The Rope – a timepiece that’s as elegant as it is eco-friendly. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, the watch comes in 27mm ($25,700) or 33mm ($35,400) models, with your choice of a glossy black or white mother-of-pearl dial – both whispering quiet luxury, with a hint of something futuristic beneath.
Jewellery watches by Tiffany & Co.’s legendary designer Jean Schlumberger inspired the 2025 Rope timepiece.
Inspired by archival jewellery watches imagined by legendary Tiffany designer Jean Schlumberger – a Frenchman who joined the house in 1956 and remained for over three decades – The Rope nods to the decorative braids, tassels, and weaves he grew up with in Alsace, France, where his family ran a textile empire.
For true-blue Tiffany & Co. fans, the watch is also available with a signature Tiffany Blue alligator strap.
A double twist of polished gold rope encircles the dial, separated by a halo of round brilliant diamonds. The brand also demonstrates its attention to detail by also featuring the rope motif on the minute hand. But the real magic lies beneath: instead of ticking on a standard lithium battery, The Rope is powered by light. Sunlight, indoor light, even the glow from your bedside lamp can keep it going. On a sunny day, it takes just two minutes of exposure to power the watch for 24 hours. No more scrambling for batteries, and yes, it still runs with the pinpoint precision of quartz.
The Rope watch is backed by a five-year international limited warranty.
Engineered in collaboration with Swiss movement maestros La Joux-Perret, this bespoke solar calibre sits quietly beneath the semi-translucent dial, soaking up rays like a stylish little sunflower. The bonus: It boasts an eight-month power reserve, meaning it’ll keep ticking through cloudy days, long winters, and even your most screen-lit all-nighters.