“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 Tudor Oyster case is iconic and one of the most beautiful and aesthetically-pleasing designs of the 20th century."
TUDOR Prince Oysterdate ROTOR Self-Winding Wristwatch
Personally, this is my favorite kind of watch. A nice, solid vintage piece that has been worn, but also been taken care of. This watch presents with honest wear, but at the same time, it is evident that it was a well loved and cared for item.
Why do I love watches like this? Unlike an exceptional, NOS or NEAR NOS timepiece, I can enjoy its timeless style, sophistication, and good looks, without worrying about “What if I accident graze the car door with it? What if I accidentally knock it in to a table edge while out to dinner?”. This burden doesn’t present itself with watches like these. I find that they still get PLENTY of admiration and looks, and I don’t have to be afraid the whole time I’m wearing it, and you won’t either. This was definitely not a “safe queen”, nor was it abused. The perfect combination for wearability, from our standpoint.
This super clean timepiece is a vintage Tudor Prince Oysterdate Rotor Self-Winding automatic wristwatch, reference 9050/0 and dated from 1969 featuring a 33.5mm Rolex oyster case.
It is a selfwind watch with a Tudor Auto – Prince movement, caliber ETA 2784, 17 jewels, date indicator (quicksets), hack mechanism, sweep second, 45 hours power reserve, 28,800 A/h, unadjusted, Swiss made.
In clean condition, the original sunburst silver dial with black/silver baton hour marks, luminous dots, black minute/second track, and silver/luminous matching hands. The date window is located at 3 o’clock. The dial is also signed with the Tudor name and logo at 12 o’clock and “PRINCE OYSTERDATE ROTOR SELF-WINDING” on the dial as well.
Cased in a 33.5mm round case and smooth fixed bezel, all in stainless steel. Case back signed “Original Oyster Case by Rolex Geneva” in addition to the Rolex Crown logo. The case back is also engraved with “25 Years Service St. Regis Paper Company R. R. Moore 1973.” Original signed Rolex screw-down crown.
This watch comes on a vintage black Gen. Teju Lizard two-piece strap.
The watch is in very good. It is a very good looking watch. Runs very well and keeps great time!
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or respectful offers.
Movement: TUDOR AUTO - PRINCE Seventeen 17 Jewels Unadjusted Cal. ETA 2784 SWISS
Case Markings: ORIGINAL OYSTER CASE BY ROLEX GENEVA
"25 Years Service St. Regis Paper Company R. R. Moore 1973”
Measurements (mm): Case Diameter 33.5 Case Diameter w/Crown 37.4 Case Lug to Lug 40 Case Thickness 10.6 Lug Width 19 Band Width 18
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) 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 much smaller than today's offerings. 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 lighting 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. Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
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