amanico
[JLC Moderator]
365751
Blancpain Tornek Rayville TR 900 Crazy Census.
Here we go, my friends. I promised to post this census a long time ago. It is time to keep my word.
I will publish all the pictures of the TR 900 I could see in real life, but also those I could see here and there.
You know the story of the TR 900, a watch which was issued for the Navy SEALs in two batches, the first in 1964, the second in 1966, with a bit more than 1000 watches. A guess estimate makes us think that only one hundred survived. Most of them disappeared or were destroyed.
The TR 900 has a special case, dial, hands, case back with characteristics engravings,an anti magnetic shield, and a movement ( Cal 1361 Hacking Seconds with some specificities I will not mention to avoid the proliferation of fakes... )
Those which " made the war " are numbered on the case back, and receive a symbol of antimagnetic check ( a trident ) hand engraved.
Please note that the batch from 1966 has the set of hours and minutes hands which don't match with the seconds hand, which is totally normal for this batch.
Let's go!
1/ Number 6: ( Credit Phillips 
2/ Number 14:
3/ Number 20:
4/ Nr 77 ( Credit Isringtime )
5/ Number 103:
6/ Number 117:
7/ Number 268:
8/ Number 270 ( Credit Skinner )
9/ Number 322 ( Credit Hodinkee )
10/ Number 337 ( Credit Phillips
11/ Number 445 which first came with a sterile dial, before receiving a " normal " dial:
12/ Number 471 ( Christies ):
13/ Number 624 ( Credit unknown, but I will happily credit on request )
14/ Number 794, ex Sargent Jacques ( Credit Phillips
15/ Number 806 from 1966:
16/ Number 88x from 1966, Credit: Isringtime:
17/ Number 922 from 1966 ( Credit Phillips
18/ Number 1016 from 1966:
19/ Number 1031 from 1966 ( Credit: Phillips )
20/ Unknown number and credit, but most probably from 1966:
21 and 22/ Number 79 from 1964, and 834 from 1966 ( Credit SAS ).
23/ Not numbered ( Credit Roberto ).
24/ Not numbered ( Phillips )
25/ Not numbered ( James Dowling )
Well, that's all for the moment, but on the 1000 / 1200 made, 25 posted here is not a bad score.
There certainly are others which will appear with time passing, we'll include them here.
Of course if you know of some others, feel free to add them to this thread.
Best,
Nicolas
Edit Nr 1:
26/ Number 452 ( Sotheby's ).
27/ Number 1025. Credit Phillips.
28: Nr 272:
29/ Nr 265 Credit Skinner.
30/ Number 242. Watch and photos: Briandumais.
31: Nr 875 ( Credit: Silas )
32/ TR 900 Nr 160 ( Credit Skinner ) :
33/ A curious one, not because it has a sterile dial, but because something is wrong with the location of the moisture indicator which should not be under the triangle, triangle which sould be at 12, not at 6 o' clock... TR 800 Nr 205 ( Credit Skinner ) :
34/ TR 900 Nr 287 ( Credit Skinner ) :
35/ TR 900 Nr 288 ( CRedit Skinner ) :
36/ Nr 745, By Bonhams:
37/ TR 900 Nr 862 By Heritage Auctions:
38/ TR 900 Nr 440 ( Credit: Michaans Auctions )
39/ TR 900 Nr 002 ( Credit Briandumais )
40/ TR 900 Nr 916 ( Christies )
41/ Nr 885 from 8/66. Credit Phillips.
Blancpain Tornek Rayville TR 900 Crazy Census.
Here we go, my friends. I promised to post this census a long time ago. It is time to keep my word. I will publish all the pictures of the TR 900 I could see in real life, but also those I could see here and there. You know the story of the TR 900, a watc...
What a f… and dreaming post
Thanks a lot lot lot lot loooooot bro. J’ai eu un début d’éé…..motion 😬
Epic report for the year end.
This one will be the reference going forward. Many thanks
Amazing retrospective of a watch most people know nothing about.
Truly an under the radar icon. Thank you for sharing.
Indeed!
So, let’s say, hypothetically, I had an interest in pursuing one of these watches. How the heck would I make sure I was getting a watch that was aa advertised? I can’t even find a “neo-vintage” Rolex or JLC that I trust.
Thank you Nico for the report.
Everybody, who is on the vintage travel, knows how difficult it is to collect all this knowledge... Best regards Stephan
Many thanks Amanico for this superb round-up!
The counterpart from opposite side of the pond Cheers RIchard ...
A 41st TR 900 has just been added in the census!
Nice specimen, even if the crown is not correct. And that the text is wrong about the surviving specimens ( not 30 remaining, as this census demonstrates it )... Credit Phillips. ...
