1940s Tudor (Rolex) Oyster found today at sale

artslinger

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I found this today with a few other watches. It's a Tudor Oyster made by Rolex in the mid 1940s. Does not run, but will take to my watch 20210117_220322.jpg 20210117_231906.jpg 20210117_231847.jpg 20210117_231833.jpg 20210117_231839.jpg 20210117_231809.jpg 20210117_231718.jpg maker to get it serviced. Hope everyone is doing well. All the best. Thanks for your comments.

Artslinger
 

diggingthe1

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Now that's a money maker, wow. My grandmother gave my boys my grandpa's watches to play with and take apart. Of coarse there was a Rolex oyster. Good thing I got to it before my boys. It sold for over 1000!!! I would love to run across another. What a great find!!
 

randazzo1

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That’s an awesome find
 

tamrock

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Boy I'd be thrilled to come across that.
 

trdking

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Heck of a score even has the SA band What ever you do. Do not let them mess with the dial or hands Do not clean do not restore Kiss of death. Well done
 

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artslinger

artslinger

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Heck of a score even has the SA band What ever you do. Do not let them mess with the dial or hands Do not clean do not restore Kiss of death. Well done

Thanks to all. I appreciate it. Yes, I learned the hard way with a Nivada Grenchen Aviator Sea Diver. I sold it for great money, but could have gotten more if I wouldn't have taken it to an "expert". Here she is with a new leather band. My watxhmaker hand cleaned the movement, but did not touch the dial, hands, or polish the case. He was under strict orders to just clean the dial, lubricate, and get her running. It's lovely.

Artslinger 20210120_180622.jpg 20210120_180541.jpg 20210120_180536.jpg 20210120_145907.jpg 20210120_145934.jpg 20210120_180551.jpg
 

bartholomewroberts

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The only thing I would suggest is to get the hands checked out. At one time, I had a Tudor [now have a Rolex] and was working in the hospital as a technologist.

I visited a buddy who headed up the Nuclear Medicine Department. While there, he asked me for the watch so he could run it through his machines. [he somehow

knew about this]. Turns out the hands had Radium on them which gave that 'visible in the dark' feature.

Would not hurt to have this watch checked just to be certain

Micheal
 

xaos

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He was under strict orders to just clean the dial, lubricate, and get her running. It's lovely.

Good call...original is worth far more than repaired.

Value:

Keep in mind this is an Oyster Tudor, not a Rolex Oyster...the watch was NOT made by Rolex...

Oyster was an different company that was purchased by Rolex. For Rolex to keep the Oyster name, Oyster watches were then rebranded as TUDOR watches, so that Rolex could use the Oyster name for both.

This is not a Rolex proper watch, nor a Rolex movement by any means.

On the date, the serial number shows is a tell tale here. In the early days, it was a dual number, with the first number being the model, etc, and ending in the year of manufacture, the number below being the serial number of that watch.

Later, they switched to one number in sequential order. Given the serial number, your watch was built in 1963. https://millenarywatches.com/tudor-serial-numbers/

"shock protection" is another hint. this was not introduced until the 1960's

in retail, you will always see "TUDOR" instead of Rolex...(at least with reputable jewelers)

On the dial, it is the Oyster rose, not the Rolex crown.

If you see a TUDOR oyster with a Rolex Oyster crown it is a fake!

Note: all in my opinion of course!

Did they give you a value?

Cheers!
 

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artslinger

artslinger

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Good call...original is worth far more than repaired.

Value:

Keep in mind this is and Oyster Tudor, not a Rolex Oyster...

Oyster was an different company that was purchased by Rolex. For Rolex to keep the Oyster name, Oyster watches were then rebranded as TUDOR watches, so that Rolex could use the Oyster name for both.

This is not a Rolex proper watch, nor movement by any means.

On the date, the serial number shows is a tell tale here. In the early days, it was a dual number, with the first number being the model, etc, and ending in the year of manufacture, the number below being the serial number of that watch.
Later, they switched to one number in sequential order. Given the high number. you may be looking at the mid 1960's rather than the 1940's
"shock protection" is another hint. this was not introduced until the mid 1960's

Did they give you a value?

Cheers!

Thank you for the comments and feedback. I appreciate it. Above, I actually meant to "clean the movement, not the dial". :-) There is a lot of information on these. There is a Tudor website that helps you determine the approximate year. Based on the serial number, Tudor puts the watch at 1945-6. I've looked at many, many listing for early Tudor watches that are similar in dial, hands, emblem, and movement, and they point to mine being an early one. Another key is the rose and shield logo that was introduced from 1936-1947. Additionally, mine is a manual wind watch. The later Oysters were automatics beginning with the prince. A lot of fun great info. Thanks again for all of your input. I appreciate it. :-)

artslinger
 

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artslinger

artslinger

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The only thing I would suggest is to get the hands checked out. At one time, I had a Tudor [now have a Rolex] and was working in the hospital as a technologist.

I visited a buddy who headed up the Nuclear Medicine Department. While there, he asked me for the watch so he could run it through his machines. [he somehow

knew about this]. Turns out the hands had Radium on them which gave that 'visible in the dark' feature.

Would not hurt to have this watch checked just to be certain

Micheal

Thank you for the recommendation. I appreciate it.

artslinger
 

xaos

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Jul 3, 2018
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from the website:
Tudor serial Number Year
40,000 – 140,000 1940 – 1956
240000 1956
170,000 1957
200,000 1958
280,000 1959
310,000 1960
340,000 1961
360,000 1962
390,000 1963
430,000 1964

they did not add shock resistant until the early 1960's...

Not sure where the 1940s date you came up with...did the jeweler add anything?
 

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artslinger

artslinger

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from the website:
Tudor serial Number Year
40,000 – 140,000 1940 – 1956
240000 1956
170,000 1957
200,000 1958
280,000 1959
310,000 1960
340,000 1961
360,000 1962
390,000 1963
430,000 1964

they did not add shock resistant until the early 1960's...

Not sure where the 1940s date you came up with...did the jeweler add anything?

Thanks again, you are definitely correct, regarding the serial number. My math sucks. The watch is original, my watchmaker only cleaned the movement. I paid $5 for a bag of old watches, and the Tudor was in there. Thanks again I appreciate it.

artslinger
 

JimDon

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What an amazing find congratulations!
 

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