Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces.

Geneva, May 13, 2018

LOT 493

TUDOR, REF. 7031 HOMEPLATE, BLACK DIAL A fine, early and extremely rare, manual wind chronograph wristwatch with date.

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

HKD 480,000 - 640,000 / USD 80,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 92,500


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Brand Tudor

Model Oysterdate Chronograph

Reference Ref. 7031

Year 1972

Bracelet Stainless steel Rolex folded bracelet, approx. overall length 180 mm.

Numbers Case N. 759'534

Caliber 7734

Dimensions 40 mm.

Signature Dial, Case and Movement.

Accessories Original fitted box, warranty, service invoice dated 1979

Notes

Property of the original British owner. There is no need to redefine the collectability of early Tudor homeplate chronographs as they are undoubtedly one of the greatest looking watches ever made by the firm in the early seventies. Known to collectors for its "homeplate" indexes, the look is completed in the reference 7031 by an attractive black tachometer bezel, a distinctive bright orange chronograph hand and the orange on the first 5 minutes of the chronograph counter. Until recently, the production of the extremely rare black dial version has been debated as. At a watch show about 10 years ago, a box of about 15 black chronograph dials surfaced and those were quickly bought and mounted on regular 7031. This original find, confirms that they were indeed sold originally as is. The current owner purchased the watch from his local jewellery store, Roy Richard, Ltd. in Bromsgrove. He went to send it back to his same local store in 1979 to have the watch serviced at Rolex in London (both receipts still present) and the bracelet was changed. It is only the second time that a black dial 7031 has ever appeared at auction and is the first example to come complete with its original documentation. A true time capsule for the collector of rare Tudors.