Tudor - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Tudor
    Year: Circa 1976
    Reference No: 9401/0
    Case No: 845’880
    Model Name: Submariner Marine Nationale
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2776, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Vintage nylon NATO
    Dimensions: 39.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed. Further engraved “M.N. 1975” on the caseback

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex introduced Tudor to the market in 1945 with the objective of selling high quality watches at a reasonable price. Throughout its history, Rolex used the Tudor line to experiment with different designs and concepts, later to be used in Rolex’s own watches, and the Submariner line was no exception. Its durability and legibility made it an ideal choice for one of the world’s elite naval forces: the French Marine Nationale, established in 1624 as la Marine Royale by Cardinal Richelieu.

    The reference 9401/0, without date function, replaced the reference 7016/0 in 1975, bringing a more robust movement with hacking seconds but retaining the unusual square-shaped hour markers and “snowflake”-style handset introduced in the 7016/0. Both references, and their sister references with date, were commissioned by the Marine Nationale until the 1980s for use by their divers, and these “issued” “MN” Submariners are among the most coveted of any Tudor Submariners, though Tudor did provide watches to other fighting forces such as Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Argentina. With its crisp and prominent military engravings of “M.N. 1975” on the caseback, according to research, the present lot was originally issued to the Marine Nationale’s diving school.

    With a beautifully faded bezel, rich azure colored dial, and crisp case, this reference 9401/0’s collectability is bolstered by both its history and fantastic aesthetics.

  • Artist Biography

    Tudor

    Swiss • 1926

    Almost twenty years after Rolex was founded, Hans Wilsdorf established Tudor with the intention of making more affordable watches without compromising the quality for which Rolex was renowned. Tudor was named after the British Dynasty that ruled England from 1485 to 1603, and their symbol came from the "War of Roses." After interchanging Rose and Shield symbols for a number of years, the firm replaced the Rose with the Shield logo from the 1960s until today.

    Some of the most recognized vintage models made by Tudor include the Submariner, a waterproof model first introduced in 1954, the Oysterdate, the earliest versions of which were nicknamed the "Monte-Carlo," the Heritage, which included the date at 6 o'clock, as well as the Pelagos, which translates to "deep sea" in Greek.

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121

Ref. 9401/0
A very rare and attractive stainless steel military-issued diver’s wristwatch made for the French Marine Nationale

Circa 1976
39.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, and movement signed. Further engraved “M.N. 1975” on the caseback

Estimate
$15,000 - 30,000 
CHF13,700-27,400
€12,700-25,400
HK$116,000-233,000

Sold for $35,280

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020