There are vintage watches whose importance announces itself from across the room, and others whose most meaningful detail is almost deliberately easy to miss. This Tudor Oyster Ref. 7934 belongs to the second group.

At first glance it look like a normal early-1960s Oyster: Look more closely beneath the words "SHOCK-RESISTING," however, and a short horizontal line appears - an original "underline" dial. It is the sort of detail that can remain invisible to a casual observer yet immediately change the conversation for a knowledgeable collector.

Underline dials occupy an especially interesting place in Rolex and Tudor collecting because they came from a remarkably narrow transitional period in the early 1960s. It is believed that the underline as a factory dial marking connected with the industry's move away from higher-radiation radium luminous material toward lower-radiation luminous compounds, including tritium.

The underline dials appeared during a short window, roughly 1962 to 1964, on both Rolex and Tudor watches and today form a recognized collecting category of their own. Two watches can look nearly identical at arm's length, while that few-millimeter line places one of them squarely inside a brief and historically interesting moment in Swiss watchmaking.

When Rolex launched the Tudor brand in 1945, they strongly intended that the public perception of its quality had to equal that of Rolex. To achieve this lofty aim, until the mid-1990's, Tudor watches featured Rolex cases and crowns, and, until 1971, Rolex bracelets.

An advertisement in Britain's Horological Journal in vintage times stated that Tudor's were, "Manufactured under strict Rolex supervision and bear the Rolex label of guarantee."

The Tudor Oyster showcased in today's offering is a pleasing all-original example of a Rolex-built Tudor Oyster watch with underline dial.

Patterned after the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, one of the company's staple and respected models, this reference 7934 Oyster Prince possessed the same features and conception - it was thinner and a bit more affordable than its Rolex sibling because of Rolex use of an ETA-based movement finished by Rolex, rather than equipping it with one of their in-house made calibers that they used in the Oyster Perpetuals.

The watch head of our Oyster Prince has all of its original parts.

Its Rolex Oyster case presents in excellent condition with fairly mild wear. Its dial is original and untouched, in excellent condition.

One of our Master Watchmakers who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker (for many years now Rolex does not "certify" they only "train"), has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, installing a new correct Rolex mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive poising, timing, testing and regulation (an $895 value).

We have also timed it on a machine that simulates it being worn on the wrist. It is running strong and true, keeping very accurate time.

For the finishing touch, we have installed a brand new shell cordovan strap with aftermarket Rolex style buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.

Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. As mentioned, one used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.

Country of origin: Switzerland
Maker: Tudor
Model: Oyster Royal, Ref. 7934
Serial no.: 422,250
Year built: c. 1961
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds
Designed for: Men
Case material: Stainless steel
Case markings (outside): Original Oyster Case by Rolex Geneva - Rolex coronet logo
Case condition: Presents in excellent condition with fairly mild wear.
Dimensions: 34mm diameter excluding crown
Dial: Silver, signed Tudor Oyster Prince Royal, "small rose" logo, steel Arabic indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions, very rare " underline" example, original and untouched in excellent condition with light aging
Hands: Original, steel luminous "dauphines"
Movement type: Original, Tudor caliber 1156, handwound, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating flat balance spring
Jewels: 17 rubies
Band: Shell cordovan style leather, remborde, brand new and unworn with aftermarket Rolex style buckle. We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
Crystal: Acrylic, excellent condition
Servicing: One of our Master Watchmakers who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker (for many years now Rolex does not "certify" they only "train"), has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, installing a new correct Rolex mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive poising, timing, testing and regulation (an $895 value).
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running strong and true, keeping very accurate time.
Warranty: 1-year C.O.T. international warranty. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide