The Black Bay Hits Oz.......

Over on the VRF, Alan Hammer has written a great post on his new Black Bay. Great shots and some interesting info. Check it out:

Alan's VRF Black Bay Post

Enjoy!!

Marks of Distinction......

I came across this photo from my files that was posted on a forum many years ago by a well known French Tudor MN collector. It's interesting to see the various years represented and pictured all together. Four digits that mean so much and have such a big significance. If only watches could talk, there would be some truly hair raising stories told......

Summer NATO Shot Pt 4.......

Tudor replaced the Submariner in their line up with the Hydronaut, which is an evolution of the timeless divers watch so beloved by Rolex and Tudor enthusiasts alike. Whilst maintaining some features of the later sapphire glass Subs (trip lock crown and screw case back), the Hydronaut had a restyled case and updated hands and bezel insert.

Here's my old Tudor 89190 Hydronaut on Heritage-esque nato strap. Great for the beach!!

To Polish or Not To Polish?..........

That is the question! So so often we read about preserving the original finish on watches; requesting that Rolex (or other service providers) don't re-polish case at service. How many hyperbole laden sales ads are posted, on forums around the world, stating that watches have "never been polished" or "maintain original bevels"? It's got to the point whereby watches are consigned to the 'undesirable' pile when they have uneven lugs or a little 'too much meat' off the case.

So, it is often quite shocking when connoisseurs of the vintage Rolex and Tudor worlds actually choose to get their treasures re-polished or 're-cut'. There are, however, one or two true artisan watchmakers who can take a vintage Rolex case and refinish it so perfectly that the finished watch looks so desirable that it silences all the naysayers!

There is one such refinisher in the UK and another in France. The French watchmaker recently gave Rolex and Tudor collector Jeff Dr Strong's Tudor 'Big Crown' Submariner 7924 a case refinish that is incredible and has given the watch a whole new, stunning look.

Here are some scans to highlight the point!

Before:

After:

Thanks Jeff for letting me share the pics here on the tudorcollector blog!

Summer NATO Shot Pt 3.....

My friend Ian recently acquired this amazing, original 7149 with original papers and boxes! There is something special about these '70s chronos and Rolex certainly used the Tudor brand to try out some 'left-field' dial designs. These colourful dials are nicknamed the 'Monte Carlos' and have achieved a significant place in the vintage Rolex collectors' market.

Love the summer vibe with the matching blue NATO!

New Tudor Watch Report.......

I came across this post by Malik on PuristSPro forum and thought you'd like to read it. It's a review of the Black Bay and Pelagos from Basel 2012.

Tudor watches 2012 report

Enjoy!!

Summer NATO Pt 2.....

Another cool summer nato strap shot!

First Shot of a New MN....

A friend recently took possession of an amazing Tudor Submariner that was issued to the French Navy, the Marine Nationale, in 1977. The watch is a beautiful example of these military issued snowflakes and he has given me this shot to use exclusively on the tudorcollector blog! Thanks J!! Faded insert, domed crystal and fantastic patina - this watch is as good as it gets. I will be writing an article on the provenance of MNs in the near future, but let's just say that this one is all present and correct.

Snow in the Sun.....

Early evening sun, faded insert, superdome crystal, nice patina and a glass of Pimms. Summer is finally here!!

Ranger Review

One area of the vintage Tudor collecting world that is still shrouded in mystery is the Ranger. A tricky watch to buy confidently, they are notoriously difficult to verify as authentic due to the plethora of fakes. I have done quite a lot of research over the years on the Ranger and will write an article for the main site soon.

Here's one I owned a year or so ago. It was perfect; not a red font in sight!!!

Summer NATO shot......

Interesting Tudor reference 7929. Large size case, with 20mm lugs and no luminous material on the dial. Fun to match the nato to the roulette date wheel. Summer fun!!!

Black Bays are Landing.....

The first of the new Tudor Heritage Subs, the 'Black Bay', are appearing in ADs across Europe. Philipp Stahl came across one on the wrist of an employee at Christie's, at the May auctions in Geneva, and posted it on his blog (http://rolexpassionreport.com). Another, purchased in Oslo, was posted on the UK based watch forum TZ-UK last week. I'll do a post on the Tudor Heritage range at a later date, but for me they've really hit the mark with this latest addition. I'm hoping to pick one up this summer! Here are the first two live pics I've seen.

MNs On Parade......

In early 2012 Mike Wood organised 'A Very British Passion', a UK based get together for Role and Tudor collectors from around the world. One of my aims was to get the biggest ever group shots of Tudor MNs. We were due to get eleven, but at the last minute one of our contributors got stuck in the snow1. Still between us we managed seven (including a 5513 MN) which isn't bad. Next year maybe we'll manage some more!!

The Tudor MNs

With the 5513 MN

A few more Snowflakes

The watch in the middle of this picture is a very special issued Tudor Sub ;-)

Thanks for reading!

MN81

Today I'm wearing my Tudor MN81 Submariner ref 94010. Issued to SM Beveziers, this watch features the so-called Mk2 'triangle dial'.

New Tudorcollector Blog

Welcome to the new look blog from tudorcollector.com I hope to bring to you exciting news from the ever growing world of Rolex Tudor wristwatches and share with you some incredible watches from old classics, newly discovered military issued pieces and never before seen exclusive content! If you have any pictures or stories to share, please drop me an email at ross@tudorcollector.com