Revolution: The Evolution of the Role...

New York, Apr 17, 2008

LOT 127

Ref. 7031 Tudor, ?Oyster Date Chronograph,? Ref. 7031/0, case made by Rolex, Geneva. Made in 1971, sold July 10, 1972. Fine, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date, round-button chronograph, register, tachometer and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet. Accompanied by the original box, instruction booklet and Guarantee document (now void).

USD 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 6,700 - 10,000

Sold: USD 48,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down engraved case back, crown and buttons, tachometer graduation on the black bezel to 500 units per hour, Twinlock winding crown protected by the crown guard, crystal with Cyclops lens. D. Bicolor anthracite and black with luminous indexes, outer 1/5th seconds scale with 5 minute/second red Arabic markers, subsidiary dials for the seconds and the 45-minute register, aperture for the date at 6. Luminous steel dauphine hands. M. Cal. 7734, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Many collectors are unfamiliar with or know little about the up and coming Tudor brand. The name ?Tudor? was first registered in Geneva by Isaac Blumenthal on December 13, 1906 under registration number 21383. It was then transferred to Philippe Huther de Colombiere in 1926, and finally sold to Hans Wilsdorf in 1936. No one has precise records, but the first traces of the Rolex-produced Tudors appear in the mid-forties, after the Second World War. Despite the generally prevailing public opinion, there is actually very little difference between the design and conception of Tudor and Rolex. Apart from Tudor watch movements generally having fewer jewels, their conception and construction were virtually identical to those of Rolex. Rolex felt strongly that in producing a ?second line? of watches, the public perception of Tudor had to be equivalent to that of Rolex. As such, they even extended the Rolex warranty to all Tudors at the time. All early Tudors, until the mid-1990's, featured Rolex crowns and cases. Rolex bracelets were used until 1971 when the first Tudor signed bracelets appeared on women?s watches.