Thoughts on this Tudor submariner and this vintage in general

[41mets]

Here are some photos of a 1989 Tudor submariner. Doesn’t come with box or papers. I’m wondering what your thoughts are on the condition and what sort of value you think would be fair for this piece. You will know much more about this than I.

Thanks!

[TuRo]

It's a 79090 acrylic (I slightly prefer them over the 79190 sapphire as they are lighter / lower centre of gravity) - the blue commands a slightly higher price than the black
Looks original dial etc but the bracelet would have been a Tudor folded link 9315 originally - but they got replaced by 93150 quite often (as this has) so no biggy.
In 2017 they were £3000 loose watch £3750 full set - 5 yrs on they are c £5.5 to 6k loose for a blue up to £7.5 for a full set retail.
A lovely piece imho.

[41mets]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

It's a 79090 acrylic (I slightly prefer them over the 79190 sapphire as they are lighter / lower centre of gravity) - the blue commands a slightly higher price than the black
Looks original dial etc but the bracelet would have been a Tudor folded link 9315 originally - but they got replaced by 93150 quite often (as this has) so no biggy.
In 2017 they were £3000 loose watch £3750 full set - 5 yrs on they are c £5.5 to 6k loose for a blue up to £7.5 for a full set retail.
A lovely piece imho.

Thanks. His asking is $5900 US

[TuRo]

That is c £5k v fair for a blue acrylic imho.

[41mets]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

That is c £5k v fair for a blue acrylic imho.

Good to know. And condition/polishing, lugs, etc?

[TuRo]

Personally, I just don't do all that polished/unpolished stuff on a 33 yr old watch tbh - looks like it's been worn and in keeping with others I have had/seen all I can say. Others might differ.

[41mets]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

Personally, I just don't do all that polished/unpolished stuff on a 33 yr old watch tbh - looks like it's been worn and in keeping with others I have had/seen all I can say. Others might differ.

I appreciate that. I don’t do much care either but I know some feel it changes the value

[1675-David]

Being someone who thinks case condition is important I would be turned off by the level of polish on this piece. The case appears soft and has been polished badly several times which does affect the value.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Being someone who thinks case condition is important I would be turned off by the level of polish on this piece. The case appears soft and has been polished badly several times which does affect the value.

Agreed. The lug holes are almost touching the case edges on the crown side.

It's a shame because it looks nice otherwise. I'd keep looking.

[Archer_Rolex]

The case has definitely seen a good deal of polishing. Everything else looks good as far as dial and bezel. Like it was mentioned, the bracelet has been replaced. Blue 79090's are tough to come by. One in nice shape will cost you $9,000. If it is going to be a daily beater then $5,000 is a good price. Just don't buy it as an investment piece. As a daily wearer it's good.

[TuRo]

Agree with everything totally except the investment potential...% wise it will do just as well as a minter esp if 'bought well' at the start.

[Najimro]

If you have it in hand buy it. You’ll regret it if you don’t. You can always sell it.

[Dan S]

Looks like a retail store. Any service records or warranty? Maybe makes a bit of difference at the margins.

[winst]

I like the look of it personally and seems a fair price.

[perry911113]

Look at the asking prices on Chrono for the same model number Tudor
https://www.chrono24.com/search/inde...ccessoryTypes=

Are you buying to enjoy it or are you buying to speculate on it? Or both?
It seams like a reasonable price.
I prefer vintage over new so patina is ok. It tells a story.
Has the watched been serviced by the seller? Does it comes with any warranty?

[henrylee]

If you buy knowing what it is “daily beater” then it’s a great deal. If you are buying to save as a safe queen then it is not.

[Cloud Palms]

bezel, dial, glass look good. no original bracelet but you can argue the bracelet is a better one. Been polished some but its not outrageous. I would buy it at $5900, good price.

Id take this Tudor over any of the modern ones, better case shape, bezel, dial, rolex bracelet. No papers hurt the value obviously but it should appreciate from here on out.

[springer]

The watch and the fingers aren't the nicest.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by springer

The watch and the fingers aren't the nicest.

The fingers are in nice unmolested condition. Unpolished, good original print. Definitely genuine hands.

[George58]

hard pass too polished just about to lose the lug holes

[watchmainspring]

Originally Posted by George58

hard pass too polished just about to lose the lug holes

I agree. Those lugs don't look great.

[Boopie]

OP, what did you end up doing? I didn’t see an “incoming” thread.

[Scaramanga74]

Originally Posted by 1675-david

being someone who thinks case condition is important i would be turned off by the level of polish on this piece. The case appears soft and has been polished badly several times which does affect the value.

+1

[harry in montreal]

With the insane price points floating around… that is a pretty nice watch for $6k. Far from perfect but nicer than most Rolexes, haha

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

With the insane price points floating around… that is a pretty nice watch for $6k. Far from perfect but nicer than most Rolexes, haha

A voice of reason…..I remember a few fussy mates in 2008 prevaricating around the topiary over a £2800 5513 ft first maxi dial cos it had a bit of wear/polishing ….they passed on it (someone didn’t though!) I was pulling their leg over it the other day - both wished they’d bought it as now £10k min !

[KY..]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

A voice of reason…..I remember a few fussy mates in 2008 prevaricating around the topiary over a £2800 5513 ft first maxi dial cos it had a bit of wear/polishing ….they passed on it (someone didn’t though!) I was pulling their leg over it the other day - both wished they’d bought it as now £10k min !

Agreed.
One of the first Rolexes I purchased is a ‘77 1680 which the case is not perfectly unpolished. At the time they routinely costed around 5k USD. I got mine from my local jeweler I have a relationship with for a whopping 4k and have never felt the case needs to be perfect. I still love it, timing definitely matters.
Personally I would wear the watch the OP is showing without issue and if the time came send it out for professional cleanup.

[Dr.Smellody]

Great watch. Probably the best value on a Submariner there is. This one isn't perfect, but I'd rather have it on the wrist with that beautiful blue dial then an alternate brand.

I'd buy it in a flash if that says anything.

[CPRWATCH]

Buy it & buy it now , before someone else does . Obviously a biased opinion

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

A voice of reason…..I remember a few fussy mates in 2008 prevaricating around the topiary over a £2800 5513 ft first maxi dial cos it had a bit of wear/polishing ….they passed on it (someone didn’t though!) I was pulling their leg over it the other day - both wished they’d bought it as now £10k min !

A 5513 for £2,800. Wish I had a time machine...

[swish77]

Originally Posted by pauldavidthorpe

A voice of reason…..I remember a few fussy mates in 2008 prevaricating around the topiary over a £2800 5513 ft first maxi dial cos it had a bit of wear/polishing ….they passed on it (someone didn’t though!) I was pulling their leg over it the other day - both wished they’d bought it as now £10k min !

Sure, we all have stories of watches we passed on, or should have bought, or should never have sold .... because the market has gone nuts over the years. I try not to think about that. It's like saying I wish my grandfather had bought stock in Coca-Cola back in the day. Nobody knew.

I passed on 6263s that were $25K-$30K years ago because I thought it was insane to spend that kind of money on a vintage watch. I also sold a mint full set black 6263 Big Red for about $50K seven short years ago. Talk about regret. Thank goodness I bought another Big Red shortly after, because I couldn't afford one now.