1966 Tudor Submariner - how to restore?

[amh]

My wife inherited a 1966 Tudor Submariner from her father. I don't know much about it, but here is what I was told.

History:
- Purchased in 1966 for about $71, still has receipt, box and tags
- It has supposedly been serviced in the past.... but not running today
- Box says Rolex and is small by modern standards (about 4"x 3" x 3")

What I see:
- Tudor spelled in 'Fraktur' German font
- 'Rose' logo, Oyster-Prince
- Rotor Self Winding
- 200M WR
- Mercedes Hands, faded lume but in good condition
- 'Rolex' on the case back, Rolex 'Coronet' on the crown. 3x dots.
- T-SWISS-T on the dial
- Insert in good condition
- Crystal in fair condition
- Case dents show this watch was not babied. No plans to refinish.
- Clasp is not original and says 'Speidel'
- Bracelet may be original but seems in unusually good condition. This tells me the it is likely aftermarket.
- Lume Pip is still intact!

Looking at the scratches on the case back tells me whoever "worked" on it was not particularly competent.

I would like to get this watch in working condition. What is the best way to pursue this?
- Thorough cleaning & service
- Replace only broken internal parts (eg main spring, hair spring)
- Polish crystal but not the case
- Find a new clasp, possibly a new bracelet

The bracelet is a big question since I don't know what style came with the watch. The clasp was likely Rolex stamped to match the case and crown. The box is also from Rolex which tells me there was still much overlap between Rolex and Tudor at the time.

Once I get this piece fixed up I'll post a more thorough story of the remarkable man who wore it.

TIA!

Pics pics pics!!
(see the high resolution direct links at end of post for greater detail)





High rez
https://i.imgur.com/PtJpz1Q.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/iGzSyQT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/g5pvYWc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/US4o6Qp.jpg

[amh]

Found out more here:
https://www.tudorsub.com/tudorsubmariner7928
https://www.60clicks.com/tudor-submariner-evolution/
https://www.rescapement.com/blog/tud...-brief-history
https://tudorcollector.com/collection/another-watch-6/
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...iner-7928.html

So this is likely a 7928 MK5:
- Rounded crown guards
- Chapter ring has fat index at each marker
- Silver/white text with gilt chapter ring
- 39mm case size
- Originally came with a Rolex riveted bracelet
- The T SWISS T means tritium markers
- Fleurier calibre 390 automatic movement, 18000 bph

Less interested in replacing the bracelet & clasp now! The aftermarket option looks more robust and fits the watch well. If I happen to find a milled bracelet with Rolex clasp maybe I'd go for it but even that would not be original configuration.

[linesiders]

Take toothpase or Acrylic Headlamp Polish (auto parts store) and polish the daylights out of the plastic crystal to get it smoother and cleaner. Textured paper towel, apply, let dry, bush, repeat. Only the crystal.

Then take a better, focused photo of the dial so we can tell if it is refinished or not.

[alwayshere]

Linesider is your man on this so worth following his suggestion.

My initial thoughts are:

1) bracelet as a whole is aftermarket. Try removing the bracelet (use a paper clip or a safety pin and push through the two holes on each side of the case). Then confirm the numbers on both sides. One should be 7928 and then the other is the serial - just give us the first 3 digits.
2) dial and hands looks promising but do need clearer and close up shots.
3) bezel insert looks good too
4) crown is later / modern service replacement - looks like a 703.

Inside is most likely a 390 movement which you can get it repaired / serviced but will cost $$.

[indianmachine]

What's the first 3 digits of the serial? As you stated, the bracelet links and endlinks don't look original to me.

[amh]

Ok will do the home 'polish' and take off the bracelet at earliest opportunity.

In the meantime, here's the pic I already took, full scale. No zoom, raw image.

[jlovda]

This is the Tudor Sub I would have bought. I bought my 5513 in Zürich in 1970. Paid $130 but could have gotten a Tudor for $90. Unfortunately, by that time it had snowflake hands. No thanks.

[TuRo]

Still needs cleaning as the '=' sign, between 200 and 660, looks like it's missing !

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Still needs cleaning as the '=' sign, between 200 and 660, looks like it's missing !

^^^^

This. The bumps and valleys in the crystal distort / obfuscate the text and make quality analysis difficult. It looks better and may be the original dial but relumed, but photos not strong enough to make confirmation reliable.