Subexplorer
[Moderator - WristScan]
29991
Hello Milwatch! You bring here some questions about a subject which has been haunting me for long time and transformed in some kind of horological obsession for me.
I have to share with you that most information I have been reading in the net is full of conjectures and more "urban legends" than true and confirmed history.
To beggin with: nobody could explain with an official military confirmation, the meaning of the "Ci" letters. Some say "Cuerpo de Ingenieros" others "Cuerpo de Infanteria" but my personal thoughts (for several reasons too long to explain here) is that this is absolutely wrong.
Most probably the meaning is "Codigo de inventario" (inventory code) or other similar meaning buy nothing to do with the Military Corps to which they were issued. Regrettably my efforts to find the exact and confirmed meaning have never been satisfied.
By the other hand, as it happens with many historical facts around military equipment, firearms, edged weapons, etc. of our Country there are no records available for research for schollars.
So nobody can say with certainty how many watches were bought, which references, which years, etc. except for considering the specimens which appear in the market from time to time.
From this observation we can say both Rolex and Tudor Submariners were issued, both with no crown guards and with crown guards. I feel more Tudors were issued for costs reasons.
I can also tell you that there also existed a small batch of Comex Subs (I don´t know the exact reference) which came around the 1980´s when a group from our ARA Naval Diving School received training in France.
I personally own two Ci marked watches: An Snow Flake date ref 9411/0 from 1979. Curiously enough my Ci number was very very close to another specimen shown to me during a Parisian GTG in 2014 shown by a French collector.
Both he and me were very surprised to find these "brothers" so close together as you may imagine.
My second Ci was a recent catch, a reference 7928 from 1964 which was bought to the family of the original owner issued to him in the ARA.
I wish some day I will get some confirmed info about this matter.
I wish you the best of luck with your research!
Keep safe! Abel
Ref 7928 from 1964
Ref 9411/0 from 1979
More posts:
Argentinian MilSubs
Hello all. I’m new here and trying to join in and learn. So what better place to ask questions and learn. So here goes. Argentinian Navy issue Tudor MilSubs. I’ve seen and read the information from Ross Povey which is great but I’m wondering what actual o...
When it comes to the Argentinian Mil Subs, here is THE grail.
Tudor 7924 ARA ( Armada Republica Argentina ). From 1958. As you can see, it starts with 611... I could see around 10 in the world of net. And only one in the real, this one. Best, Nicolas ...
10 in the world?
Hi, oh wow. Have you found out how many went to Argentina? is 10 all that are left? Lovely engraving on the caseback, great to see. Thanks for sharing.
Ive seen the ARA
I've seen the ARA in pics on the internet. What is the latest year that the Argentinian Navy used Tudor? Did they use 7016 or 9401/0 Submariners? thanks Mark.
That´s the rare among the rare my dear Nicolas!! It surely belonged to a personel from our ARA who participated together with some other members in a training...
... in France with your MN. A great piece of collection!! It´s a shame it doesn´t reside in your collection!! Thank you for sharing my dear friend! Abrazos! Abel
It had to go here....
Didn't see that one! I'll try to give a similar hard life to my BB58 in the next years. Amazing. Thanks Nico
Hello Milwatch! You bring here some questions about a subject which has been haunting me for long time and transformed in some kind of horological obsession for me.
I have to share with you that most information I have been reading in the net is full of conjectures and more "urban legends" than true and confirmed history. To beggin with: nobody could explain with an official military confirmation, the meaning of the ...
Wonderful
Hi Subexplorer, thank you for the detailed reply, a fascinating read. I have sent you a PM. Thanks Mark.
My big pleasure Mark!!
I answered your PM. I’m showing you a ARA Citizen from the early 1980’s which replaced the more costly Tudors. I feel it will be of interest too. Though they are cheap they are also very rare! Cheers! Abel PS: Sorry for the position of my photographs! I h...
