TUDOR SUBMARINER 'IS IT A ROLEX OR NOT?' LUEL MEGAZINE JULY 2015
Tudor was once a synonym for ambiguous brand identity. Until late 1970's Tudor used the same crown logo of Rolex on its crown and back case, and was even sold in the Rolex boutiques - naturally many collectors and customers wondered about its origin and relation to Rolex for almost 60 years since the birth of Tudor brand. It was Mr. Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex, who established Tudor brand and adopted rose, the crest of Tudor dynasty, as its official logo.
OLD TUDOR ADVERTISEMENT - 1952
To reduce production costs, Tudor used parts from the Rolex manufacturing line such as the Oyster case, while making sure that Ebauch calibre movement by ETA was used. By the 1960s Tudor watches were sold at a half price of Rolex, which clearly showed Mr. Wilsdorf's aspiration to provide his customers with Rolex technology with affordability. Tudor watches always kept in step with Rolex, for example by launching its Submariner model one year after Rolex Submariner was introduced in the market in 1953.
TUDOR OYSTER-PRINCE SUBMARINER REF.7922 Called "Big-Crown Submariner" 1958
In the below picture is Tudor Submariner's Ref. 94010, the best known and the most symbolic model of its kind. This watch retained the same appearance as the very first model from 1969 (Ref. 7016), and was equipped with uniquely shaped hands inspired by its sister model from Rolex. For that reason Tudor Submariner became known also as 'Snowflake' among the western customers and 'Squid' in the Asian market.
CENTER : TUDOR OYSTER-PRINCE SUBMARINER REF.94010 -1979
After earning good reputation for high visibility under water, French Navy(Marine Nationale Française) used this watch as diver equipment for several decades, and its early models were also supplied to the US Navy (Seal's and UDT Diver's) during Vietnam War.
It is thanks to this proud history and positive reception in the market that the vintage Tudor Submariners are still highly sought after with affection by many collectors, which leaves us with no excuses to look down on them as half-priced Rolex. Moreover, if it had not been for this watch, Tudor's Black-Bay or Pelagos would have never been born in the first place.
It is thanks to this proud history and positive reception in the market that the vintage Tudor Submariners are still highly sought after with affection by many collectors, which leaves us with no excuses to look down on them as half-priced Rolex. Moreover, if it had not been for this watch, Tudor's Black-Bay or Pelagos would have never been born in the first place.
NOSTIME VINTAGE WATCHES