My Tudor collection

I am actually blogging from my new house. The shift has been a long drawn process, with issues with both houses. The new landlord is very particular and wants the house to be perfect and the weather is not helping the shift as well. Anyway, it progresses.

Back to watches. I do like the watches from Tudor (and Rolex) and have accumulated a small collection, if you consider 4 pieces a collection. Each watch in the collection has a story behind it. So here is my small Tudor watch collection, starting from the smallest to the largest.

The Prince Date, reference 74000. The watch comes in at 34mm. I got this watch pre-loved. The reason I got the watch is because it looks like the Tudor Ranger. I would love to get the Tudor Ranger but it is not an easy watch to find (and not forgetting it is minefield when it comes to the Ranger). I got it  at a price and the best part about it is that it is complete with box and papers.

The Tudor Prince Date Day, reference 76200. This one comes in at 36mm. I got this watch pre-loved as well. I had one before but traded it in for a Panerai. The watch is almost brand new and I got this very cheap (almost half price). The watch is dated this year (it is that new). I love the California dial and this is the other option since the Italian version is very very expensive. 

The Tudor Submariner, reference 7016/0. This watch is 40mm. I had another Tudor Submariner in the 9411/0. I prefer my watches without the cyclops so I sold it. It has gone to a good home. It took a long time for me to get this watch. The owner was reluctant to sell the watch and it took me almost 2 months to persuade him. Add 1 month it spent in RSC for serial number verification, it took me 3 months to get the watch. It was worth it. It is currently on a leather strap which I think matches the patina on the hands and dial. 

Finally the Tudor Heritage Chronograph, reference M70330N. This watch is 43mm in diameter, the largest in the collection. There was no intention to get this watch. We were on holiday when I was offered this watch. The selling point was the price. It was very low (for a new piece and from the AD). I suspect it is because of the black dial. Most people prefer the gray dial version as it is the one in the advertisement. Additionally, it is not common knowledge that the black dial was also issued at the same time as the gray version but in smaller number. I think that it is happening again. 

I am very happy with the collection and it will stay this way for a long, long time. The only addition I would consider is if a M.N. Tudor Submariner was offered to me. That also is depending on the price. 

Some new photography attempts

I don't think they are as good as the last batch but there goes....

This is my favourite.

Solvil ET Titus

I have a watch from Solvil ET Titus. I don't know much about the watch and a search in the Internet did not reveal much, in fact nothing at all. Anyway I like the watch and will be sending the watch to my friendly neighbourhood watch guy for a service and cleanup. Perhaps I will use it as my daily beater. It is a basic 3 hand watch with day and date complication.

The watch.

I had a look inside the watch and this is what I found out. The watch is powered by an ETA 2066 automatic 3 Hz (21,600 Ah) 17 jewel movement. The rotor is signed Solvis ET Titus. 

The movement. 

The movement holder is metal. That is a nice touch. 

The gasket, long overdue. :)

The watch needs a good cleaning as well. Lots of grime and DNA.

Even the crown (and winding stem) needs a good cleaning and service.

The case and dial. I like the 2 level dial. Looks like a TV screen.

We will see what my watch guy can do. 

Keyrings

I have always wanted to get the key rings from Panerai but somehow I never got them. I have gotten other things from them but never the key rings. Perhaps it is because I buy my watches from all over the place (and in recent times I have gotten pre-loved pieces).

This changed however, courtesy of another Paneristi. Now I have 2 of the 3 key rings that I know Panerai has issued. Thank you.

The key rings.

The older leather Panerai key ring.

The newer (not newest) blue rope key ring.

As with anything Panerai, the is always a model number. :)

Now one more to go, the latest leather key ring with the Panerai buckle. Who knows, maybe I might lucky.

BEGIN Japanology

An interesting video on Watches and Clocks by NHK. 

Begin Japanology Watches and Clocks

Thank you 'm102486' for the video. 

busy busy

Having a difficult time restarting the blog due to us moving house in the next few days. Lots to pack and sort out. Clothes to donate and trying to time the shift between the two houses to minimise cost as one lease is expiring and the other is starting. There is a few days overlap and we are trying to minimise that. 

Anyway I just got this and will write more about it soon. It was a fun project. A clock from the Japan Edo (?) period. This is the Double Foliot Japanese Clock.

More watch photography...

I like these, what you think?

PAM00390.

PAM00367.

PAM00000.

PAM00111.

PAM00003.

Maybe the background is bit distracting?

Photography

I finally got around to getting some spring bars for my Invicta watch. The Invicta Corduba watch is one of my favourite watch and I got it during the days when that French brand was the rage (and still is) and I could not afford one, not that this watch is a poor substitute. It is a great watch and offers great value for money. 

Anyway I use the watch to test out straps, more so in recent time as I have started a 'collection' of B&R straps. So you can say that this is my Strap Test dummy watch. :)

The Invicta reference 3965, currently fitted with a vintage WWII strap from Combat straps.

The strap being tested on the Invicta after spending some time on the B&R.

When normal transmission starts next week, there will be a couple of strap reviews. 

Straps....

Well just one actually. Got another museum piece from my favourite Italian strap maker. I am loving it....

I like the washed look.

My current favourite (one off) strap maker.

BTW, normal transmission resumes on Monday.

Tudor Submariner

Finally got the watch after a one month wait. Why? For TSC (Tudor Service Center) to confirm the serial number of the watch with it's database (that is what they told me). They need to confirm the serial number is correct for the Snowflake dial and hand setup. They threw in a free service as well (no parts change) and tested the watch to it's rated depth. All pass.

I had the watch on a leather strap earlier on but now decided to test fit the bracelet. I know the end links are not correct to the watch but I will try and resolve that later. I might not even have the bracelet fitted. Will see what happens in the next few days. 

The watch.

Final two

The final two pieces of the jigsaw puzzle is finally in my hands. Thus it completes the jigsaw and it is time I stop. Anyway, the watches, the LACO WUS LE watch and the Tudor reference 7016/0 Snowflake. Both watches are like me going full circle......

Not bad for a 41 year old watch.

Happy Easter

Wishing everyone Happy Easter. Normal transmission will resume soon.