Tudor’s Submariner 7923 is considered by many collectors as a grail watch because it was the only sub to house a hand wound movement.
It is a reference that made headlines back in 2017 when a near pristine example of the watch from 1956 or ’57 sold on eBay for $99,000.
Now, another example has come to light at Bath-based auctioneer Gardiner Houlgate, this time with a pre-sale estimate of £30,000 to £50,000.
The auction catalogue describes the watch as an: “Extremely Rare Tudor Oyster Submariner stainless steel gentleman’s wristwatch, ref. 7923, serial no. 2180xx.
“The black ‘Swiss’ gilt text dial marked with a small Tudor Rose ‘Tudor Oyster Shock-Resisting 100m = 330ft’, with luminous baton markers and outer gilt track, Mercedes hands and centre seconds, sixty minute rotating bezel, Rolex crown marked with +, manual wind 17 jewel movement, non-original expanding bracelet, bezel 37mm.”
A comprehensive condition report says the movement appears clean and currently working, crown not screwing down correctly.
It has its original dial with a nice consistent patina to the black surface and markings.
The watch has been passed down the family to the present owner via his late father in 1984 and there are scanned photographs showing his father wearing the watch back in 1983.
A copy of these digital images will be supplied with the purchase of the watch.
The watch goes under the hammer on February 19, with online bidding starting the same day.
Register here to see the auctioneer’s report and additional images.
I wonder if they were still using radium on that dial in the open air with dust particles floating off it! Even tritium would be bad enough.
Went for 60k!