Tudor Prince Automatic Cal.390 9ct 1958

Tudor

Created by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf, Tudor owes much of its initial success to its affiliation with Rolex. Tudor watches were originally intended as a more affordable alternative, offering the same quality and craftsmanship, but at a lower price point. Today however, Tudor is flourishing as a popular watch brand in its own right.

Description

Here we have a wonderful previously restored Tudor Prince from 1958 with a beautifully previously restored silver-white dial. This is a classic and an excellent 1950s example of some of the outstanding work Tudor created. This watch carries a very high grade, rotor self winding calibre 390, 17 jewel automatic movement, which is in sparkling condition.

The Dial

This dial is beautifully symmetrical, well balanced and proportioned. The dial itself, in silver-white, contrasts wonderfully with the 9ct yellow gold case, previously restored black ‘lance’ hands and mixed gilt ‘pencil’ hour indices with standard Arabic numerals at ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’. All of these wonderful features make this watch very clear and easily read once upon the wrist.

This dial is simply signed with ‘Tudor Prince’ at the very top below 12 along with ‘Rotor Self-Winding’ just above 6 and ‘Swiss’ below 6.

This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard yet remains in outstanding condition.

The Movement

The original Tudor Prince calibre 390, 17 Jewel automatic movement is of exceptional quality and is original to this watch.

The movement is in superb condition having just completed a full overhaul and service by our vintage specialist watchmaker. It is running perfectly and has been calibrated in 5 positions to run within +9 seconds per day which is truly outstanding for any mechanical watch and has been checked and confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. This movement also has an excellent power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound.

The movement is correctly signed ‘Tudor’, ‘Auto Prince’,  and ‘Swiss Patented’.

With care and regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to continue to run very happily for many more decades to come. We are therefore totally confident in offering this watch with our 12 months’ written warranty*.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.

The Case

The 9ct yellow gold case is in tip-top condition and measures 35mm, excluding the original, correct unsigned crown. The case also features wonderful straight lugs and a rare ribbed case.

The case has been professionally cleaned and carefully inspected, requiring only a very light hand-polishing to remove any tarnishing and bring it back to the current condition with no scratches, dings or other damage visible to the naked eye.

Inside the case-back, the markings are all correct for a Rolex watch case made by Shackman and signed ‘D.S.&S’  (David Shackman & Sons Ltd) along with the reference number 06345. The case-back also carries London 9ct hallmarks which date this watch to 1958.

Please note, as ever our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap and Buckle

The strap fitted is a high quality black leather strap, with a plain gold-plated buckle which we feel contrasts nicely with the watch. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock, in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish, here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1958.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

This is a truly first class example of a vintage Tudor Prince which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, it will make an excellent investment or heirloom piece. Even though vintage gold Rolex prices have risen markedly recently, we still feel good examples such as this are still undervalued and as each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Rolex watches continues to expand, prices will continue to climb ever higher.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.