Excellent Condition Tudor Prince Date Submariner - Ref. 79190 - With Original Box and Papers - 1997

Tudor, Rolex’s sister brand, has been making Submariners since 1954, starting with the reference 7922. They were conceived as a moderately priced alternative to the Rolex Submariner and were eventually discontinued in 1999. In the mid-90s, the very last Tudor Submariner was released: the 79190, which is the watch offered below.

What’s On Offer

The Tudor Prince Date Submariner Ref. 79190 is the final reference of the iconic Tudor Submariner line, produced from 1995 until 1999. This example dates from 12/11/1997, and aside from some very minor wear on the unpolished stainless steel case, remains in excellent condition.

The watch features a matte black dial, with applied, white gold hour markers coated in tritium lume. The lume has aged to a lovely cream colour, giving the watch a softer vintage appearance. The stainless steel bezel has a serrated edge and a black insert with crisp Arabic numerals. Above the dial, the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal features a cyclops lens over the date window at 3 o’clock.

This model was made during the beginnings of Tudor’s efforts to distinguish itself from Rolex, and this can be seen in its design. The Rolex-branded Oyster case and crown remain, the latter being a Rolex Triplock crown, as denoted by the three dots beneath the coronet engraving. However, the Rolex name is replaced by "Prince Date" (perhaps a charming nod to Rolex's own Coronet branding) and the word "Oyster" is omitted.

Another way the Prince Date Sub distinguishes itself is through its movement. It houses the automatic ETA 2824-2, a reliable, easy-to-service movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

Attached to the watch is an unpolished, three-link steel Oyster-style bracelet, and it comes complete with its original box and papers.

Overall, the watch wears very easily, thanks to its light weight, slim profile, and 39mm size. Few of these model references were produced throughout the late-90s, ironically making what were originally intended to be more affordable versions of Rolex Submariners significantly rarer today. Vintage dive watches are very popular at the moment, making this example an absolute must-have.