Help with a vintage Tudor

[TheVTCGuy]

I will first apologize for the lousy pictures, they are from my phone inside a car. This is my friend’s Tudor, believe it’s from around 1972(?). Obviously it has it’s share of life-scars, the acrylic is badly scratched. It is running well, but my friend is trying to make a decision; to restore or not to restore. I told him it would be at least $500, that might be light. Sooooo…..

For those of you that have experience with vintage Tudors, would you recommend sending it to RSC? Or anyone have a private watchmaker that will do a good job for a reasonable price? The idea is (also up for discussion) is to make it look like new, which (I think) would require a new dial.

Finally, I know nothing about Tudor values and if this is an exceptional watch or a common model, can anyone give me opinion(s) of value?

Comments are welcome and thank you,

[Dan S]

Don't even think about replacing that dial! Just the crystal and a movement service. It's a desirable 5-figure watch and will clean up nicely. Have him find the original bracelet.

[alwayshere]

Appears to be an honest example of a later 7928 gilt chapter ring. Linesider would be the expert on this but I’m guessing 1967ish as the earlier chapter rings would have pointed crown guards which this doesn’t have.

Need a better shot of the dial though. Worth a lot more than $500 so you should at least tell hhim that as a starting point.

[baumare]

The case looks in good shape, I’m sure that just changing the plexy will see a big improvement.
Don’t send it to RSC.

[Zoomerang]

If he is local to SD, I'd have him talk to Tom at D's Service:

http://www.dstimeservice.com/index.html

[zapokee]

Gilt chapter ring Tudors go for five figures, easily. Jacek has a 7928 on offer at $13,350. Swapping out the dial/hands will make it practically worthless to collectors. Just don't do it.

Get your friend to take it off that dreadful bracelet and at least wear it on leather until he can get an Oyster for it. It's the wrong bracelet and the wrong lug width, which could well damage the case.

[TheVTCGuy]

Thank you for all the responses, please keep them coming.

[Boaters]

That's a beauty really as said a new crystal. What I really like is the bracelet but maybe just a little closer to lug width...lol

[mineral]

Any chance to share the rough serial number of the case? With case number may be able to have better idea


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[baumare]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Thank you for all the responses, please keep them coming.

This is what should look like, mine 7928 have serial N.449xxx from 1964, and comes with a 7206 Rolex bracelet

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[linesiders]

Watch is a nice to very nice example of a 1964 to 1966 Tudor 7928. Dial and hands are probably good to excellent based on lousy photo. Case looks thick. Crystal can be polished or replaced.

Movement is a Tudor 390 which can be notoriously hard to service and source parts. I would highly recommend someone that knows this movement.

Bracelet is absolute garbage and probably causing abnormal wear to the inside of the lugs. Most comfortable bracelet would be to find a reconditioned 93150 Rolex bracelet.

As for value - if he wants a watch that looks new, and glows, and functions like a new watch, he can spend 2-3 grand and can have a watch worth 5-6k. If he sympathetically restores this one it could be worth 9-12K.

If he wants a new watch, with new functionality, I will trade a new Tudor Black Bay or Omega Speedmaster / Seamaster.

[AzHadEnuf]

Drop it off with Philip Ridley the next time you visit your Mom. Outstanding watchmaker.

[Oyster Perp]

As a crystal change is recommended why not try and give it a polish first ?., If it works you will see how much the watch 'pops', hen your valuation will highly likely change :-)

[Jackie Daytona]

Originally Posted by Zoomerang

If he is local to SD, I'd have him talk to Tom at D's Service:

http://www.dstimeservice.com/index.html

Definitely agree with this. I use to take mine to Tom when I lived in SD. He is the independent that saved my 16750.

I have since moved away and still send it back to him. He does great work at great prices and is super knowledgeable. I can’t speak highly enough of Tom and their work.

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

Definitely agree with this. I use to take mine to Tom when I lived in SD. He is the independent that saved my 16750.

I have since moved away and still send it back to him. He does great work at great prices and is super knowledgeable. I can’t speak highly enough of Tom and their work.

Tudor 390 is a different beast with different needs than a Rolex or ETA. BUT a shop with history, in SanDog with have handled many, many 390s