Question about a vintage Prince Oysterdate

[RoyRogers]

I purchased a Tudor Prince Oysterdate from eBay and was hoping to see what people thought. Have been wearing for about 6 months now. The watch is a workhouse and is in good shape for 52 years old. I believe it is a redial due to the lack of lume dots with replacement hands. Anyone spot anything that seems off? The seller presented it as genuine and said the dial remains untouched. I am unable to attach the link and because I have a new account but I have tried to attach some photos.

Sellers Description of Watch

Excellent condition Swiss Tudor Prince Oysterdate 7966 with Original Rolex 7835 Bracelet and Buckle.

100% Genuine "Small Rose" Tudor Automatic with Date.

A full service/overhaul was just performed last week on this Rotor Self Winding 1967 vintage classic.

Rolex Bracelet, buckle and crown, excluding the two end pieces are all original to the watch.

The Watch Dial have been left untouched with a light speckled patina.

The Watch case have never been polished and frankly not needed.

See all the high resolution pictures for the condition of this Tudor.

Running excellent and keeping good time.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Reference Number: 7966
Serial Number: 581xxx
Year: 1967
Movement: Original Automatic Swiss Tudor
Bracelet Number: Original Brushed Stainless Steel Rolex 7835 Folded Links
Buckle: Original Brushed Stainless Steel Rolex Steelinox 1 68
Crown: Signed Rolex Crown
End Pieces: Non Original Stainless Steel
Case Size: 34mm
Lug Size: 19mm
Crystal: Acrylic with Cyclops
Condition: Pre-owned/Used/Previously worn with below average wear for its age

[Dan S]

I think people are going to ask you to post high resolution photos. Also, perhaps indicate why you think it is a redial.

[RoyRogers]

Hi Dan, apologies for poor image quality. I am re uploading in higher quality now. I believe it to be a re dial because of a lack of Lume Dots and I read online that was common with redials. Not 100 sure it is a re dial though.

[offrdmania]

I believe the bracelet is one of those fake 7835s. Dial looks ok. I hope you didnt spend a whole lot for it.

[Dan S]

With the better photos, I don't see any obvious problems with the dial. Most T SWISS T dials will have lumed hands, but I wouldn't be shocked if there were rare exceptions. Maybe someone else will know for sure.

[RoyRogers]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I believe the bracelet is one of those fake 7835s. Dial looks ok. I hope you didnt spend a whole lot for it.

I think I got a good deal, I did some research beforehand to ensure I didn’t over pay. I got it thru an eBay auction for around 1100. Thrilled with the watch.

[SunTzu]

Originally Posted by RoyRogers

I think I got a good deal, I did some research beforehand to ensure I didn’t over pay. I got it thru an eBay auction for around 1100. Thrilled with the watch.

As long as you're thrilled, that's what matters.

I think the case and bezel will clean up nicely with a proper polish, and when fitted (in my opinion) on a quality leather strap; it'll make for a handsome dress watch.

[RoyRogers]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I believe the bracelet is one of those fake 7835s. Dial looks ok. I hope you didnt spend a whole lot for it.

Originally Posted by SunTzu

As long as you're thrilled, that's what matters.

I think the case and bezel will clean up nicely with a proper polish, and when fitted (in my opinion) on a quality leather strap; it'll make for a handsome dress watch.

I actually Nixed the steel bracelet in favor of a knock off Rolex leather strap for 35 dollars. So I am fake on the bracelet either way! But I feel like an extra in Mad Men. Tried to find an authentic but was difficult.

[rootbeer7]

Did Tudor use t swiss t moniker?

[RoyRogers]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Did Tudor use t swiss t moniker?

Looks like they did on this reference 7966, just googled some other versions out there.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by RoyRogers

I actually Nixed the steel bracelet in favor of a knock off Rolex leather strap for 35 dollars. So I am fake on the bracelet either way! But I feel like an extra in Mad Men. Tried to find an authentic but was difficult.

But with a fake bracelet you paid about $500 too much

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Did Tudor use t swiss t moniker?

Yes

[RoyRogers]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

But with a fake bracelet you paid about $500 too much

I still think it is a real bracelet. I’ll find out when I get it serviced eventually.

[Tools]

There is no lume on the hands, so, if original, lume dots would be pointless.

[RoyRogers]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no lume on the hands, so, if original, lume dots would be pointless.

Well that’s why I think the hands have been replaced as well. But another commenter says that it’s possible they made rare exception without any luminous hands and dots. I don’t know much about the history of 7966 and the variations.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by RoyRogers

Well that’s why I think the hands have been replaced as well. But another commenter says that it’s possible they made rare exception without any luminous hands and dots. I don’t know much about the history of 7966 and the variations.

As members of the forum are well aware, there are some "no lume" Rolex OP and DL dials that say T SWISS T. Many of those do have lumed hands, but a very small number do not (i.e. T SWISS T dial with no lume on dial or in hands). But as Larry mentioned, one would never have lume on the dial with no lume in the hands.

[RoyRogers]

Originally Posted by Dan S

As members of the forum are well aware, there are some "no lume" Rolex OP and DL dials that say T SWISS T. Many of those do have lumed hands, but a very small number do not (i.e. T SWISS T dial with no lume on dial or in hands). But as Larry mentioned, one would never have lume on the dial with no lume in the hands.

Ah I see, thx for clearing that up.

[Claven2]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I believe the bracelet is one of those fake 7835s. Dial looks ok. I hope you didnt spend a whole lot for it.

Hmm... I think the bracelet itself would fool me - what are the fake "tells" on it?

All I see that is questionable to my eye is that the end links aren't numbered - but aftermarket end links don't necessarily mean fake bracelet.

If I look how mangled the inside links are near the clasp and the amount of wear on it, if it's fake, it's likely a very old fake that someone wore a LOT.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Claven2

Hmm... I think the bracelet itself would fool me - what are the fake "tells" on it?

All I see that is questionable to my eye is that the end links aren't numbered - but aftermarket end links don't necessarily mean fake bracelet.

If I look how mangled the inside links are near the clasp and the amount of wear on it, if it's fake, it's likely a very old fake that someone wore a LOT.

The finish work is rough, the engraving is rough an misaligned, the crown is not correct, the end links are unmarked, etc, etc. In the very least it is highly questionable. It is either all fake or a rebuilt bracelet using fake/aftermarket parts.

[RoyRogers]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

The finish work is rough, the engraving is rough an misaligned, the crown is not correct, the end links are unmarked, etc, etc. In the very least it is highly questionable. It is either all fake or a rebuilt bracelet using fake/aftermarket parts.

Thank you for all the info. I saw some similar 7966 prince oysterdates for sale without bracelet for more than 1200 on hqmilton so maybe I got a good deal after all. Either way, cool looking old watch with Tudor eta movement.

[Claven2]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

The finish work is rough, the engraving is rough an misaligned, the crown is not correct, the end links are unmarked, etc, etc. In the very least it is highly questionable. It is either all fake or a rebuilt bracelet using fake/aftermarket parts.

I don't think it's engraved at all - it's stamped or pressed in. The "finish work" to me is hard to even discern as it's so beat and scratched up (?). The unmarked end links are super suspect, but again, they might not be from that bracelet. End links get bent and sometimes replaced by people.

I honestly took it for a very abused real one, not that I'm any sort of expert on folded oysters.