Tudor prince oyster date submariner

[Matt_24]

Hi everyone. I've been a member of this forum for quite a while - but I've only owned an Omega Seamaster since July of 2010...so never had much to contribute to the forum. I do love reading and learning from you all.

I finally had an opportunity to purchse my first Rolex product. I'll try to keep my story relatively short.

I have a friend who I play pool with who isn't a watch lover, but has a nice Rolex Submariner. It was his fathers and was passed to him in 1986. It's a real beauty, classic stainless steel, black dial, black bezel, etc. I'm not sure what year it is, but it's old. Chuck wears it everyday and what is cool is that Chuck is a big boatsman/fishmerman. I know nothing about boats/fishing other than Chuck goes about every weekend and he has a huge vessel he takes out in the ocean and is always showing me fishing photos.

When I first met him I commented on how much I liked his Sub and I showed him my Omega Seamaster Chronograph. He commented that before he was given his father's Rolex he had a Tudor Submariner that his dad bought him long ago -- and he wore when he was a First Mate down in Florida in the 80s.

Chuck says he would have probably been a Captain down there to this day had his father not got sick and he came back to VA to take care of him. Well, I always told him how much I'd like to see the Tudor. He said he had it in a drawer somewhere and would have to hunt it up someday when he had time.

Well, 13 months later -- he finally brought it in today. He could tell that I really loved it and asked if I wanted to buy it. I told him what I could afford and also told him it was probably worth more than what I could pay -- but if he sold it to me I would really treasure it. I've been wearing my Omega every day since purchased in 2010...so I'm kind of a one watch guy. Although I do use an Ironman to time myself when I'm running.

Anyhow, I kind of get attached to one thing, you know? I feel lucky, because he decided to sell it. I also feel lucky that I happened to have a decent amount of cash on me. The timing was perfect. It fits a little snug...but Chuck said he has the links somewhere and he would bring them (hopefully not another 13 months, lol) for me. He said it has been in his drawer for 20 years, but I shook it and it started right up.

The crystal is really big/thick, and the bezel does not rotate. I could't tell if it was just stuck - or if perhaps that models bezel doesn't rotate? Either way, I wasn't going to force it. He asked that I please excuse how weathered it was, but he was really rough on it on his boat. The crystal is scratched and Chuck said he would constantly ding it up while working on the boat. He then said, "Like this." and he physically knocked his own Rolex's crystal against a brick wall fairly hard as I looked on in horror. He just smiled at the face I made and said, "This one won't scratch. I'm just as rough on it when I work and fish."

Anyhow - I'm going to do some googling on it. I'm not sure where the serial number is located but under the band it says 93150. Any additional information you can provide is greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy my mediocre pictures. Thanks!

[linesiders]

That is a high miles but otherwise legit Snowflake - very honest piece.

The bezel will rotate after a cleaning (probably dried up chum ;) or salty and grime and maybe rust). The whole thing will need a cleaning. But if the price is right, it is a good piece - here is one of mine for comparison

[Matt_24]

Beautiful watch! Thank you for your input.

[Kingair]

If you buy it sent it out to the right person and a beauty will return.

There seems to be some rust inside

Give it a maintenance and have it pressure checked

HAGWe

[Matt_24]

I did buy it, so just trying to figure out where the best place is to send it for work. Thank you!

[oldbronco]

mine says hi. Blue Snowflakes are so much sexier than any Rolex. mine was serviced by
Bob Ridley about a year ago. it's my daily wearer.

[Matt_24]

What a beauty. Thank you for sharing.

[linesiders]

Jack @ IWW http://internationalwatchworks.com/ when on a budget

[Matt_24]

I texted Chuck some photos of these nicer versions of his/well, my Tudor. He responded, "That watch has been on reefs in Jamaica, Cancun, Martinique, Key West, Chesapeake Bay and many more." It was definitely used.

[bridgs]

Totally awesome piece and story! That sucker looks like it is an old salt and I mean that in a good way!

[damo_t]

I really cool story. Congratulations!

Mine says "hi!"

[domenick512]

Great piece. I have a 1979 Blue Tudor Snowflake 94110 model that was serviced by Bob Ridley last year. It took a while to finish due to part availability, but it looks and works great.

The model number and serial number should be visible between the lugs. You will need to remove the bracelet to see it. You should be able estimate the year based on the serial number range.

Good luck with it.

[lhanddds]

Welcome to the Snowflake club. You did we'll, congrats.


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[Dan Pierce]

Great find! Get Chuck to write up a bit of history that you can keep with the watch as it continues it's service to it's new owner and future owners.
And since we're showing off snowflakes..........


dP

[harry in montreal]

Great watch. You are very lucky

[Matt_24]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Great find! Get Chuck to write up a bit of history that you can keep with the watch as it continues it's service to it's new owner and future owners.
And since we're showing off snowflakes..........


dP

I did ask Chuck about writing a bit down about the watch similar to what he's told me and he just kind of looked at me like, "Are you serious? It's a watch." Someone described the watch as an old Salt, but Chuck could also be described as an Old Salt. Really cool guy.

I went over to Chuck's house today as he offered to polish/buff the plastic (I believe?) crystal and bracelet on his bench grinder (w/ buffing wheel). He had some compounds to do the job and seemed confident to do the job.

Chuck is not only a fantastic fisherman/boat guy (?) but also a master carpenter/cabinet maker/contractor and has run his own successful company for many years - so he is adept at working with his hands. He designed and built all of these custom cabinets in his kitchen that would blow your mind.

So Chuck turns on the bench grinder and loads up the spinning pad with some compound to clean plastic and then starts buffing out the crystal and its looking good, but, with one slight move the buffing pad grabs the bracelet and sucks it down (best way I can describe it) toward the table at a high rate of speed, but Chuck quickly catches it and finishes it up without blinking an eye or looking at me to gauge whether I saw that happen...and the crystal looks really good. My heart briefly went into my throat.

He then suggested I let him polish/buff the bracelet and case and something in my mind told me, "Say no." Of course I said, "Okay." He gets started, things are going good, then, of course, once again, the high speed pad yanks the bracelet out of Chuck's hands, but this time hurls the watch across his shop at what appears to be 50 mph into the wall and onto a shop table. With no change in his face Chuck says, "I hate it when that happens." Chuck walks over, picks up the watch and I see that the diver's extension has come loose. He pops that back into place, looks the watch over, then looks at me and says, "See, these watches are virtually indestructible."

I look the watch and over and couldn't see any additional dings than what are already on there (and there are many). It is cleaner and he polished all of the scratches out of the crystal which is awesome. This thing has been running like a top since I started it up yesterday. Chuck told me it actually keeps better time than his Rolex Submariner. He also dug out the additional links for it, which was nice of him to do.

I've decided to leave it as is for now. I really like the way it looks, and it is much more comfortable than my Seamaster Chronograph. If it ever falls apart or stops working completely then I'll send it out for a refurb. I figure, since Chuck has owned it, it has never been worked on and is keeping excellent time -- so I'll see how much longer it can last.

I do really like it, and as proven by Chuck, they're virtually indestructible.

[scottb2]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Great find! Get Chuck to write up a bit of history that you can keep with the watch as it continues it's service to it's new owner and future owners.
And since we're showing off snowflakes..........


dP

these have really grown on me in the past year - now i may have the signs of a Tudor addition as well as the other suspect one -

cheers!

[GeoGio Greece]

The family name is not Norris is it ?

This watch had quite a life and in the hands of Chuck it will continue if you let him.

So, I would say, take it away from him, get a good service with one of the technicians that other members suggest, just to make sure that these rust marks are just there and not in other parts as well, and take a good care of it from now on.

May be its just a "watch", but even "watches" appreciate some love and care.

It would be of interest to post some pictures of Chuck's Submariner.

[harry in montreal]

I think this is a 9411 model. It's a great example. I like the rust under the crystal. Telltale sign of a nice unrestored piece. You need to get a new crystal and a cleaning. It has a eta movement that is similar to a swatch watch a good independent should be able to do it for 350$ incl a pressure test. Sometimes the cases get corroded where the back screws on. You really should get it cleaned but zero case polishing. It detracts from the value !

[linesiders]

Take it away from Chuck, contact Jack @ IWW, and let a professional do it. When it is back, show Chuck and take Chuck fishing


Get it away from Chuck

[gpfps]

Great story, then I got sick when you told about the bench grinder story.