Thoughts on this possible purchase - Tudor 79090 Blue

[502 to Right]

Looking for thoughts on this Tudor 79090 I am considering the purchase of. My goal is to find a nice condition 1990's plexiglass 79090 in blue. Originality is not a major concern as long as the parts are not counterfeit. I don't care about creamy tritium or anything like that.

I know this watch has a service dial and hands, and new end links. It was serviced by Tudor/Rolex in 2016 and I'm sure they were changed as the dial is not tritium. I can also see there is rust spot at about the 53 minute marker. In researching the issue it appears this is fairly common for a plexiglass Rolex/Tudor and it does not mean water has breached the case. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

I'm most interested in thoughts on the case condition. Clearly it has been polished, and I'm not expecting something unpolished, but does it look "overpolished" to you? (realizing that's a relative term)

Any other thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks.

[TuRo]

Looks like a fine and dandy Luminova dial/handset/insert/crown service piece.

Rule of thumb I use, is about 75 % of a original t dial one on a 79090 or 80% on a 79190.

I bought an almost identical piece last summer for £4500/$5300 ish, that was cheap mind.

My only advice don't overpay for a Luminova dial as you'll have a smaller demand pool if you come to sell it and people expect it to be cheaper.....but there is something quite nice about the vibrant shade of dark blue that this post 2001 semi-gloss Luminova dial has (and the HR markers the applied, are to my mind a bit like the old sherbet sweet 'flying saucers' )....and as a practical daily wearer that lumes up like a modern piece it is a nice wrist companion.

[Dom9]

Love the vibrant blue and service parts don't bother me but should be reflected in the value. What's the mark at 10:40?

[502 to Right]

Originally Posted by Dom9

Love the vibrant blue and service parts don't bother me but should be reflected in the value. What's the mark at 10:40?

It's a spot of rust. The same issue is described in the first post of this thread:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=287895


If I were to buy the watch I would have my watchmaker clean that off and check the water resistance.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

It's a spot of rust. The same issue is described in the first post of this thread:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=287895


If I were to buy the watch I would have my watchmaker clean that off and check the water resistance.

A spec of corrosion or even simply grime on the top of the case gets magnified up the side of the crystal. LOTS of Plexi watches have this.

[hutch300]

For a while I was searching for a 79090 and other similar models and often found those rust spots. If its a dealer perhaps you can have their watchmake remove and pressure test it.

[502 to Right]

How do the lugs look? I know the case has been polished but I wouldn't characterize it as "overpolished." But I'm definitely interested in opinions more expert than mine.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by hutch300

For a while I was searching for a 79090 and other similar models and often found those rust spots. If its a dealer perhaps you can have their watchmake remove and pressure test it.

Same thing happens on Rolex, though a Rolex Sub is far more likely to see periodic service, at a higher quality (ie RSC or simply better watchmakers) than a Tudor Sub, which probably explains why Tudors see this more. Even most independents charge more and do more on a Rolex than they would on a Tudor.

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

How do the lugs look? I know the case has been polished but I wouldn't characterize it as "overpolished." But I'm definitely interested in opinions more expert than mine.

Lugs look OK, photos are not great for portraying the lugs. Some dishing at the lugholes, but no closeup photos with better angles. I'd rate the lugs a B

[502 to Right]

Originally Posted by linesiders

Same thing happens on Rolex, though a Rolex Sub is far more likely to see periodic service, at a higher quality (ie RSC or simply better watchmakers) than a Tudor Sub, which probably explains why Tudors see this more. Even most independents charge more and do more on a Rolex than they would on a Tudor.



Lugs look OK, photos are not great for portraying the lugs. Some dishing at the lugholes, but no closeup photos with better angles. I'd rate the lugs a B

Thanks

[Archer_Rolex]

Nice looking watch. The caseback looks to have been replaced as well. Original would have Rolex markings. It is a nice clean look and I prefer that type of luminova dial to the ones with the metal surrounds. That would be a great everyday watch. But the price should reflect the service parts. Should be at least 30% less than all original.

[502 to Right]

Thanks for the comments but I'm moving on from this one. I'll need to be satisfied with my BB58 Blue. At the end of the day I don't think I'm comfortable with a watch that may not be 100% water resistant for my purposes. I don't care to have dive watches that need to be treated like a dress watch. I have dress watches that fit that bill.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

Thanks for the comments but I'm moving on from this one.

Good. Not a big fan of this one, TBH.

If I'm getting a Tudor diver, I'm going Snowflake hands, whether modern or vintage.