Vintage Watch Pictures

The 1967 Tudor Submariner ref. 7928 is a transitional dive watch featuring a 39mm stainless steel case with crown guards, an automatic ETA 390 movement, and either a gilt or matte dial, marking an important evolution in Tudor’s Submariner line. Often labeled as a “Commando” watch, it is sometimes associated with French military use, though firm documentation confirming official issuance to commandos is generally lacking. The Tudor Submariner ref. 7928, produced throughout the 1960s and still in circulation in 1967, represents a key step in Tudor’s development of professional dive watches, notably as the first reference to incorporate crown guards for improved durability. It shares much of its design language with contemporary Rolex Submariners while offering a more tool-focused, utilitarian approach powered by a reliable ETA movement. The “Commando” designation frequently attached to some examples suggests a connection to elite French military units, particularly naval commandos, but ...

  1. Tudor Submariner “Snowflake” (Ref. 7016/7021/9401/94010) Era: 1969–1980s Why it’s rare: The “snowflake” hour hand and square markers are iconic to Tudor’s design language . Some versions were issued to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) , making military-issued examples especially valuable. Collectibility: Original dials with patina and military engravings can fetch $15,000–$30,000+ .

  Tudor Oyster Prince (1952 – 1960s) Why it’s iconic: The first Tudor to combine Rolex’s “Oyster” waterproof case with automatic movement. Signature look: Classic 34mm case, “Oyster” signed dial, Rolex crown. Collectibility: Early examples with honeycomb dials or “T SWISS T” radium lume are very desirable.

  Tudor Watches is a Swiss watch brand founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf , the same visionary behind Rolex . Wilsdorf created Tudor to offer timepieces with the same quality and reliability as Rolex but at a more accessible price point. Tudor watches were often powered by Swiss ETA movements (until recently) and housed in Rolex-quality cases with Rolex-signed crowns and casebacks in the early years. Key Milestones and Features of Tudor: 1926 : The brand name "The Tudor" was registered by Wilsdorf's company. 1946 : Montres Tudor SA was established as a sister company to Rolex. 1950s–1960s : Gained fame with tool watches like the Tudor Oyster Prince and Tudor Submariner , often used by military forces, including the French Navy (Marine Nationale). 1970s : Introduced distinctive and colorful chronographs like the Tudor "Monte Carlo" models. 2009 Onward : Tudor was revitalized with modern reissues and in-house movements. The brand distanced itself ...