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Old 3 August 2015, 07:49 AM   #1
Herrick25
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Vintage 7928 Tudor US Navy

My father left me a vintage tutor 7928 that was issued to him as a Naval officer. My father was a hydronaut which was a Navy designation given to the deep ocean explorers. He was a Bathyscaph Trieste Pilot and was on the dive that found the Thresher submarine and was involved in the dives for the H Bomb off the coast of Spain. Rolex used to sponsor these dives as the Bathyscaph Trieste made the challenger deep dive. This watch is special in that it seems it may have been made specially for these hydronauts. It has silver guild writing and gold hands and a Factory Rolex modified 1030 Rolex movement I was informed by the Rolex Authorized dealer where I just had it serviced that this is extremely rare and that the watch is one of a kind. Does anyone know what this might be worth? Here are some pics.


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Old 3 August 2015, 11:44 PM   #2
harry in montreal
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Do you know who did that engraving on the back? The USII? The case is quite pristine. Did you have it refinished? Harry
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Old 4 August 2015, 01:28 AM   #3
Herrick25
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This was from the Rolex factory. They sponsored the dives of the Bathyscaph Trieste. It spent many years in a jewelry box. The case has not been refinished


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Old 4 August 2015, 01:53 AM   #4
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Herrick - Great piece. BZ to you dad Sorry to hear he has gone on - maybe he can have a beer with mine.

Couple things:

Movement is not a modified Rolex 1030 - common misconception.

Dial is a 1964 dial, but different than the usual - maybe - really need better photos.

As for value - shoot me a PM (I'm not going to give you a price nor an offer - I can't afford it) and I'll point you in the right direction. Former brat ;)

I would truly say DO NOT SELL THIS WATCH. This is a family heirloom.

Need more info on the watch - what kind of documentation you have, etc.

You will probably get a lot of questions / offers
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Old 4 August 2015, 03:55 AM   #5
Herrick25
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It is the fleurier 390 but the Rolex certified watchmaker I was dealing with told me its factory modified with Rolex 1030 parts. He said he's never seen it in his life.


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Old 4 August 2015, 09:03 AM   #6
warpath
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Herrick, Thanks for posting your father's watch. That's am outstanding example and you need to see if there are photos of your father wearing it while in service. The USN engraving is interesting. Could you post a close up of the case back interior? Ed
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Old 4 August 2015, 10:38 AM   #7
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Old 4 August 2015, 11:19 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herrick25 View Post
It is the fleurier 390 but the Rolex certified watchmaker I was dealing with told me its factory modified with Rolex 1030 parts. He said he's never seen it in his life.


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You watchmaker that has never seen one before is slightly incorrect ;) - people have said that over time that Rolex took the 1030 rotor and slapped it on the 390, and that is incorrect, though superficially they look a little similiar

Don't sweat it though - it is a fantastic piece that should stay in the family. In the 22nd century, for your family, it would be like to today finding great-great-grand pappy Meade's revolver from that little Civil War dust up in Pennsylvania - priceless.

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Herrick, Thanks for posting your father's watch. That's am outstanding example and you need to see if there are photos of your father wearing it while in service. The USN engraving is interesting. Could you post a close up of the case back interior? Ed
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Old 4 August 2015, 01:38 PM   #9
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Hello fellas. I personally worked on this watch and its the real deal. There are no 390 markings and it uses several 1030 parts, several. Lots of experts on this website, and I know we all think we've seen it all, but this is different. Its all I'm going to say on the subject matter. I won't go into details since I'd like to respect the owner. Also had a Tudor rep from NYC come to look at it, and its been authenticated and also was given complete support. Let's just say that if parts were not available, Tudor offered to make them;) I don't go around telling stories and making up stuff. This movement is definitely NOT a run of the mill. Some will still not believe it, but can't help ya there. I won't touch on it anymore because its a tough battle when you run into one of a kind, and I'm very busy, but can't sit around watching you guys tell him differently. Cheers!
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Old 4 August 2015, 01:58 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalton View Post
Hello fellas. I personally worked on this watch and its the real deal. There are no 390 markings and it uses several 1030 parts, several. Lots of experts on this website, and I know we all think we've seen it all, but this is different. Its all I'm going to say on the subject matter. I won't go into details since I'd like to respect the owner. Also had a Tudor rep from NYC come to look at it, and its been authenticated and also was given complete support. Let's just say that if parts were not available, Tudor offered to make them;) I don't go around telling stories and making up stuff. This movement is definitely NOT a run of the mill. Some will still not believe it, but can't help ya there. I won't touch on it anymore because its a tough battle when you run into one of a kind, and I'm very busy, but can't sit around watching you guys tell him differently. Cheers!
Very interesting
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Old 4 August 2015, 11:00 PM   #11
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Herrick - there are always rare exceptions to the rules. If Dalton looked at it and it says there are 1030 parts (other than the usual GIBs and stuff) then you probably have a 390 with 1030 parts.

Do Not Sell This Watch ;)



Quote:
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Hello fellas. I personally worked on this watch and its the real deal. There are no 390 markings and it uses several 1030 parts, several. Lots of experts on this website, and I know we all think we've seen it all, but this is different. Its all I'm going to say on the subject matter. I won't go into details since I'd like to respect the owner. Also had a Tudor rep from NYC come to look at it, and its been authenticated and also was given complete support. Let's just say that if parts were not available, Tudor offered to make them;) I don't go around telling stories and making up stuff. This movement is definitely NOT a run of the mill. Some will still not believe it, but can't help ya there. I won't touch on it anymore because its a tough battle when you run into one of a kind, and I'm very busy, but can't sit around watching you guys tell him differently. Cheers!
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Old 5 August 2015, 02:31 AM   #12
harry in montreal
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Hey man, Tell us what is swappable so we can flood the marketplace! It seems the bridge is a bit different. I just don't know why rolex would go to this trouble.
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Old 6 August 2015, 09:55 AM   #13
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Here are a couple of pictures of my 7928. This watch also belonged to a Navy Diver. In what ways does it differ from the one that you have? I am not really up on all the subtle differences. Although I do notice the font is different for the words Auto Prince on the movement.

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Old 6 August 2015, 10:24 AM   #14
Herrick25
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Wow that's interesting it would be cool if you had one of the group that was made for the hydronauts. Do you have a pic of the stamped case back? pm sent


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Old 6 August 2015, 11:02 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by highcotton View Post
Here are a couple of pictures of my 7928. This watch also belonged to a Navy Diver. In what ways does it differ from the one that you have? I am not really up on all the subtle differences. Although I do notice the font is different for the words Auto Prince on the movement.
I'm curious to know the differences too (one of my 67s below) but if ABC says somethings are different - that is OK with me. Don't have a picture handy of my 61.

It does have the ROW stamp like the normal 390 but the 390 stamp is missing.

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Old 6 August 2015, 04:55 PM   #16
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What an amazing watch and a super cool family history.
sorry I'm not a tudor expert, so I'll just enjoy the pictures and the story.
Cheers
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Old 6 August 2015, 05:45 PM   #17
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Great watch, and story, enjoy.
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Old 6 August 2015, 07:08 PM   #18
mh17
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Very cool watch with the best provenance and story to tell. Hope it stays in the family!
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Old 6 August 2015, 07:25 PM   #19
Rogdogg
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Great story and a beautiful watch. It is in really great condition now. I hope you keep it as a family heirloom. This is a very interesting thread. I'm so curious to find out more and see where this goes!
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Old 6 August 2015, 09:01 PM   #20
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This is truly amazing! great watches amazing storys
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Old 7 August 2015, 03:25 AM   #21
Herrick25
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I'm trying to find a picture with my Father in his Tudor but it was a tool used during the dive and to men those days it was clunky and not an everyday watch. He had 2 other options. A silver Rolex Datejust and a Gold Day Date Presidential. Here are some pics of those. [IMG]https://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/06/8497107c0c966d19a27f1d49a1dc6295.jpg[/IMG]


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Old 7 August 2015, 03:29 AM   #22
Herrick25
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Old 7 August 2015, 03:31 AM   #23
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This is an oyster perpetual date, the datejusts 34mm cousin, beauty none the less, looks like your dad had quite the collection
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Old 7 August 2015, 03:34 AM   #24
Herrick25
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He loved Tudor and Rolex and now so do I!


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Old 7 August 2015, 05:21 AM   #25
cadillacofwatches
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It's so cool for a watch to have so much history behind it. Talk about a conversation piece.
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Old 7 August 2015, 05:21 AM   #26
Herrick25
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Bingo! I found a picture of him wearing the Tudor Navy Issue!


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Old 7 August 2015, 05:41 AM   #27
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Bingo! I found a picture of him wearing the Tudor Navy Issue!

awesome!

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Old 7 August 2015, 06:01 AM   #28
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fantastic piece of history ,,,
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Old 7 August 2015, 06:04 AM   #29
Wilddyan
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[QUOTE=Herrick25;6037554]Bingo! I found a picture of him wearing the Tudor Navy Issue!

Great- love the 7928- think overall my favourite price accessible watch ever
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Old 7 August 2015, 06:06 AM   #30
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Awesome story and great watches. Enjoy them in good health. cheers
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