TUDOR
“The Tudor”, a trademark registered in Geneva in February 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf at the house of “Veuve de Philippe Hüther”, a watchmaker and watch dealer. Hans Wilsdorf acquired the exclusive usage rights from the dealer. “For some years now, I have been considering the idea of making a watch that our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that would attain the standard of dependability for which Rolex is famous. I decided to form a separate company, with the object of making and marketing this new watch. It is called the TUDOR watch company.” - H. Wilsdorf.
Vintage Tudor-signed watches included models for both men and women; they were mainly rectangular, barrel-shaped or with bevelled sides. The first watches show a simple TUDOR name/logo on the dial, with the horizontal bar of the T lengthened above the other letters. Also, at the first, some pieces show the name Rolex on the dial. Rolex would effectively guarantee the technical and aesthetic quality of Tudor watches until the brand attained autonomy in this field.
On 15 October 1936, the house of “Veuve de Philippe Hüther” transferred the brand “The Tudor” to Hans Wilsdorf. In this same period, the rose of the TUDOR dynasty appeared on the dials. Inscribed within a shield, this logo symbolized the invincible union of strength – the watch’s robustness – with grace – the beauty of its lines.
On 6 March 1946, with the vision to expand and give the brand a proper identity of its own, Hans Wilsdorf created the “Montres Tudor S.A.” company, specializing in watches with models for both men and women. Rolex would guarantee the technical, aesthetic and functional characteristics, along with the distribution and after-sales service.
Tudor is probably best known for two watch families – the Submariners and the Chronographs. Both models are tool watches; the Submariner was produced for divers (a tool of their trade) and the chronographs generally for timing motorsports. But before either of these key lines were launched, Tudor was producing simple and elegant time-only watches that bore a legend of the Wilsdorf house’s greatest achievement – “OYSTER”.
Tudor Oyster timepieces started to appear in 1946 as manual-wind watches. Most were housed in 34mm steel Oyster cases and featured a vast array of dial variations. Inspired by the shellfish that lives its life underwater, Wilsdorf designed a system that would hermetically seal the movement inside the case. This was achieved by two main principles — screws and seals.
Hans Wilsdorf developed a winding and setting crown that screwed down against the side of the case, making the traditionally vulnerable stem hole impervious to moisture. The same principle was applied to the case back, which screwed down to the mid-case and was additionally sealed with a rubber gasket. The crystal was sealed too — in the early years via a pressure-fit system and later via a crystal-retaining ring. It was these systems that have continued to make modern Rolex and Tudor watches waterproof to this today.
"The real essence of the Oyster is back at the origins of the brand in the 1950s. They weren’t glamorous watches at the time and were, indeed, marketed as utilitarian timepieces with adverts showing them being worn by construction workers. They were watches for everyman."
TUDOR
Oysterdate
Shock-Resisting
"The Tudor Oyster case is iconic and one of the most beautiful and aesthetically-pleasing designs of the 20th century."
Dated from 1962, very unique, this is a vintage Tudor Oyster (Shock-Resisting) wristwatch, reference 7934, serial number 384658.
It is a manual wind watch with an original Tudor movement (based on ETA 1156), 17 rubies, sweep second, Swiss made, 42-hour power reserve.
Still has the original Tudor dial (showing some age) with silver applied hour marks, luminous dots and luminous matching hand. The Tudor logo and name is at 12.
In very good condition, 34.5mm round case, all in stainless steel. Case back is double signed “Original Oyster Case by Rolex Geneva”. Screw down crown (with the Rolex logo).
It is coming with a vintage Vachette Fait Main black leather two-piece strap; the buckle is signed “Rolex S.A. Swiss”. Also, it is coming with a stainless steel after-market bracelet.
It is a very good looking wristwatch. After 55 years, it is still an unique watch, it is in good condition, keeps good time and runs very well.
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.
Movement:
TUDOR
17 Rubies
Swiss Made
Case and Case Back Markers:
MONTRES TUDOR S.A.
Geneva - Switzerland
Patented
Stainless Steel
7934
IV.62
Original Oyster Case By Rolex Geneva
384658
Measures (mm):
Case Diameter 34.5
Case Lug to Lug 40.8
Case Thickness 10
Lug Width 19
Band Width 19
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men's watches typically measure between 29-36mm (some larger, some smaller) wide excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women's watches from the 1900s-1970s were also somewhat smaller than today’s offerings in many cases. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust light, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.
See all the photos, feel free to ask questions if you have any.
It will be carefully packed.
Check out my other items listed.
Thanks for looking!
WA-3012
