Non-genuine movement? Tudor Prince Oysterdate 7966

[MazOrd]

G'day all. Have run into a bit of trouble with a Tudor I owned, and seeking your advice. It should be a late 50s/early 60s Prince Oysterdate 7966. On opening the case back, the movement doesn't look right yet the dial and hands seem okay. Additionally, there is no serial/model number between the lugs or serial on the case back. Appreciate any advice on what's going on here- it's a bit confusing to me, and I'm new to all this.

[oysterfisher]

Looks like just the Rotor shield is off. There someone installed a part of a dial...

[linesiders]

Need to know what the movement number (ie 2483) is under the balance wheel.

I have never seen that rotor - look suspicious - BUT there were a lot of styling oddities in the early 60s. Looks silkscreened

Movement looks like a generic, balance wheel should be gold and probably regulator as well. Those may have been replaced at some point.

[Sub-Admiral]

Well, i compared your movement with the same type of movement from the mid-60's and I would say that the rotor is definitely an addition improvised to replace the original one which is in a triangular (sort of) shape near the center. Other than that it is difficult to be categorical. Looks authentic but as many others wiser than me in here would say, only an expert (authorized) can give you a verdict. Another element in favor of an original (minus some elements) movement is the consistency when it comes to the damage (case and movement)

[MazOrd]

Thanks all. General consensus has been that it's either an unbranded or fake ETA replacement movement- appears to be a bit of a Frankenwatch. Short of taking it to bits, it doesn't appear that I will be able to confirm as genuine Tudor. Agreed re: the rotor- something very off about it, and appears to almost be tape applied with the motif printed/scribed on.

[alwayshere]

Tend to agree with the others. The rotor doesn't look common but the movement looks okay (the old tudor movements were based off the ETAs so appearances are similar). To Linesider's point, I think the balance wheel is gold though - it looks a different shade vs the movement colour but could be my monitor). However, like Linesider says, there were a bunch of variations out there during the 60's so hard to pinpoint - I have also seen black print tudor (not gold print) on the rotor too but not quite like your example.

Most likely scenario is you might have a replacement rotor / rotor bridge. The original might have been damaged a long time ago and replaced independently. In the grand scheme, wouldn't stress too much about these dress watches. FWIW, the dial, hands and case looks good (haven't seen the inside of the caseback though) - does it have a year engraved in it?

[linesiders]

Get a good photo with good color of the movement, not this washed out stuff. Use a magnifying glass and tell us when number is under the balance?

This around same generation ads your watch, maybe a little later

[MazOrd]

This is the case back inside - no date or serial, just some service engravings. Will ask to see under the balance wheel - will see if there's any numbers there.

Cheers,
Dean.

[oysterfisher]

Caseback looks good. The I 59 is the date (-:
It should be a 1959 Model.
In your photo it looks like you are a watchmaker, aren't you?
Take the movement out, turn of the dial and hands and look if the front plate is engraved with Tudor. If so, its a genuine movement.
The balance wheel could be changed within 60 years. The rotor shield -as spoken already- could be changed as well.
The serial should be in the lug area. One side serial, one side reference number.

[MazOrd]

Thanks. Not my pics, and certainly not a watch maker! No serial between the lugs- I don't think that's totally unheard of, but happy to be advised otherwise

[alwayshere]

Caseback looks good I agree.

The earlier models sometimes dont have engravings on the lugs. I have seen a few like that. I have also seen no markings on the movement too (though I think yours does have it). Tudors back in the day didn't have absolute consistency.

[TuRo]

It's a post 52 (SWISS MADE Before 52) but Pre 63 (T SWISS T thereafter). It would have had model no and case number printed on outside of caseback on top of each other. The caseback is later therefore and I suspect rotor etc replaced - we are only looking at watch £500-600 value with a dial with heavy dial edge nibbling and spotting patina, so I doubt it's any nefarious calibre switching here. That only happens on Tudor Oysterdate 34mm (but with 20 mm lugs) with valueable Fleurier Cal 290/295 (non-working Submariner donor often as such) mvts and the like....