Tudor was established with a clear purpose: to offer dependable Swiss watches carrying much of the engineering philosophy associated with Rolex, but at a more accessible price. Early Tudor watches are particularly interesting because they pre-date many of the familiar models now associated with the name. During the 1930s and 1940s, the company produced elegant, robust watches in numerous case shapes, with cushion-cased examples representing a particularly attractive chapter in Tudor's early development.

What's on Offer

We are pleased to offer this handsome Tudor manual-winding wristwatch, dating from approximately 1945 and housed in a beautifully proportioned stainless steel cushion case.

At 28.5mm across, the watch has the compact dimensions typical of the period, while the broad, gently curved cushion case gives it considerably more presence than its measurements might suggest. The polished case remains extremely attractive, displaying light age-related surface wear while retaining its distinctive shape and pleasingly defined lines.

The real character of this example lies in its wonderfully aged dial. Originally white, it has mellowed over the decades to a warm cream tone with natural spotting, patination and marks that give the watch an unmistakably vintage appearance. Large Arabic numerals provide excellent legibility, complemented by an outer minute track with five-minute numerals.

The blued hands are particularly attractive, changing dramatically in appearance according to the light, while the gold-toned winding crown provides an interesting contrast against the stainless steel case.

Inside is the manually wound 15-jewel Calibre 59 mechanical movement, with an approximate 40-hour power reserve. The watch is completed by a dark brown leather strap that suits its 1940s character particularly well.

The caseback carries the numbers 614421 and 760, while the supplied movement and case information also records Rolex S.A. 355 and the Calibre 59, interesting details that further reflect the close historical relationship between early Tudor production and Rolex.

Overall, this is a characterful early Tudor with an appealing combination of compact cushion-case proportions, beautifully aged dial and strong period styling.

NB: This watch is offered for sale as seen, as its service history is unknown, and as we are selling it on behalf of a watch collector's family who has asked us to help sell an entire collection. As there are quite a few watches to dispose of, the clients do not wish to spend unnecessary money on servicing each watch before it's sold, so we have priced the watches to reflect being sold unserviced and without a warranty, but it can be arranged with our watchmaker at an additional cost if you wish. Once you have made the purchase, please add a note when placing it in your basket, and we will contact you to discuss this. Once serviced, the watch will be given a 12-month warranty.