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!