Is This Tudor Oyster Submariner Ref. 7923 a Unique Prototype?
Vintage

Is This Tudor Oyster Submariner Ref. 7923 a Unique Prototype?

By The Monkey · Jan 29, 2020 · 15 replies
The Monkey
WPS member · Rolex forum
15 replies4770 views2 photos
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The Tudor Oyster Submariner Ref. 7923 stands as one of Tudor's rarest and most enigmatic references. In this deep dive, forum member The Monkey presents a compelling case for what he believes might be a unique version of this highly sought-after manual-wind Submariner, inviting the community to scrutinize its distinctive dial and hands. His detailed analysis challenges established knowledge about the 7923, offering new insights into its potential variations and historical context.

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Given some of the very interesting and informative previous threads that I have found on this Board regarding the Tudor Submariner 7923, I thought people might be interested to see what I think might be a unique version of the  Tudor Oyster SubMariner 7923.

A picture of the watch is below and you can also see another image of the watch on the following instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6OIoNVHzLE/










I believe this watch to be unique beacuse of 1) the dial and 2) the hands.

The Dial

According to the Tudor website, the 7923 did not feature the water-resistance depth on the dial, and yet the dial of this watch does. This does not appear to be unique in itself, because the 7923 that sold for $100,000 on ebay in 2017 also featured the depth on the dial, but this was in red lettering, whereas on this watch, the depth is given in the same colour of lettering as the rest of the dial.

Details of the $100,000 ebay watch can be found here:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tudor-ref-7923-submariner-ebay-most-expensive-ever


A previous thread on this website said that there were only 2 versions of the 7923 dial - one without the depth and one with the depth in red.  But this appears to be a third variety.

That thread can be found here:

www.watchprosite.com



The Hands

According to the Tudor website, the 7923 was meant to be equipped with "baton-style" hands but the hands on this watch are of the style found in the 7922 or 7924.


Here is a  picture of the Tudor 7923 from the Tudor website for comparison:








So this then leads to the question: is this watch really a 7923 or could it be another model of sub-mariner (e.g. 7922 or 7924)?


I would say that it definitely is a 7923 because:

1. It says 7923 on the back of the case.

2. The serial number is the one immediately previous to the 7923 that sold on Ebay for $100,000.

3. It says "shock-resisting" on the dial. This was not present on the 7922, 7924 or later tudor sub-mariners.

4. It says "oyster" and not "oyster-prince" on the dial - which was only a feature of the 7923.

5. It doesn't say "rotor, self-winding" on the dial which was a feature of all sub-mariners apart from the 7923. The 7923 was the only manually-wound Tudor sub-mariner.

6. It doesn't have any minute intervals marked on the bezel - these were only absent on the 7923.


So all this leads me to believe that this might, in my more-than-amateur opinion, be a unique Tudor Oyster Submariner 7923, of which I am unable to find any previous documented descriptions or photos.

I am very much looking forward to see what happens with it at auction!






About the Rolex Tudor Submariner Ref. 7922

The Tudor Submariner reference 7922 represents an early iteration of the brand's dive watch, distinguished by its lack of crown guards and a prominent "Big Crown" design. This reference was part of the initial offerings that established Tudor's presence in the professional dive watch segment, sharing design cues with its Rolex counterparts while being positioned as a more accessible alternative. It predates the later, more widely recognized "Snowflake" dial variants, offering a distinct aesthetic that appeals to collectors interested in the foundational models of the Tudor Submariner line.

This reference typically features a stainless steel case, housing an automatic movement. The case design emphasizes functionality, with a rotating bezel for dive timing. The crystal is characteristic of dive watches from its era, designed for durability and legibility underwater. The movement provides reliable timekeeping, contributing to the watch's utility as a tool watch.

For collectors, the 7922 is significant as one of the earliest Tudor Submariners, particularly noted for its non-crown guard case and large winding crown. Its historical context within the development of Tudor's dive watches makes it a key reference for understanding the evolution of the model line. Variants within this reference may include minor dial or hand differences, which are often points of interest for dedicated enthusiasts.

Specifications

Caliber
Cal. 390
Case
Stainless steel
Diameter
37 mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
100m
Crystal
Plexiglass

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
AM
amanico
Jan 29, 2020
The case seems to be correct. The hands are not. The bezel is correct, too. Now the dial, I cannot tell you. There is almost no literature on the 7923. [nt]

TH
The Monkey
Jan 29, 2020
Thank you for this. With regards the dial and the hands...

The hands definitely aren't typical of the 7923 - but this is exactly what is making me think it is a unique version of the watch, possibly a prototype? Because the serial number is previous to the $100,000 ebay watch, then this watch must have been made earlier, and the ebay watch itself isn't a typical 7923 in the first place - so this could be even more atypical. And with reagrds to the dial, I think it might actually be completely unique among all Tudor Sub-mariners - because what other watc

AM
amanico
Jan 29, 2020
Well, bidding on a risk is not very safe... [nt]

BR
Brandon Skinner
Jan 29, 2020
Risky business

Keep us updated!

TH
The Monkey
Jan 29, 2020
Will do!

But why do you think it's a risky business?

BR
Brandon Skinner
Jan 29, 2020
Meaning a lot of shenanigans go on with vintage pieces, in particular the dial

People adding text here, removing it there. A lot of forgery goes on to potentially add thousands or tens of thousands to the value of the watch. If your Grandfather was the original owner, then past down later to your Dad, you are probably in good shape. I hope so for your sake!

Available on the marketplace

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