The 34 mm Tudor-Rolex Oyster- a Wentworth favorite

I have owned maybe 7 different Rolex watches and, while they are a

great way to secure small loans, they may not be the

be-all-end-all of watches or watch collecting. Having said that, it is

pretty hard to imagine much of a watch collection that doesn't include

at least one watch from this most famous company. I find the

Tudor Prince Oyster to be the ideal example.

As you probably know, Rolex Watches are actually made using movements

ordered from a "contract" manufacturer of movements, the ETA

factory. Just as Rolex modifies many of those movements for their

primary line (Rolex) they also use an ETA movement (as do many other

watch companies) in their Tudor line. Tudor watches, though,

generally use the Rolex Oyster case and crown, just like their more

expensive siblings. What you are getting with a Tudor watch, then,

is akin to what you get when you buy a Crown Victoria instead of

a Lincoln. You get much of the substance without all of the prestige.

For instance, whereas Rolex watches come in platinum, gold and

stainless, Tudors come in stainless and stainless with a gold (or gold

filled) "shell" on the top of the case.





With the advent of watch collecting in general and Rolex

collecting in particular, a practice has grown up of

"upgrading" watches beyond their factory specifications. Actually,

higher end Rolexes have long been subject to customizing with jeweled

bezels, special dial faces, etc. I suspect the first examples of

this phenomenon among Tudor watches were done in an attempt to fool

people, though the reasoning is not entirely faulty- after all,

the crown and the oyster case (so called because it seals up tight as

an oyster) are already there. What was not there when the watch left

the factory was the Rolex name on the dial. And, in many cases, the

dial was not the quirky and highly prized "California" dial, which has

half roman numerals and half arabic ones. But, as the Doobie

Brothers said, What once were vices now are habits.

The marketplace has embraced this after-the-fact upgrading and now a

new look predominates among used Tudor watches. They frequently have

had the name Rolex added to the dial so that you no longer have to say "It's as GOOD as a Rolex"

and, as mentioned above, they often have the snappy California

dial. Informed consumers and collectors may approve or

disapprove, but the practice seems to be here to stay.





Another helpful reviewer (Teleraw, a person I have not met or contacted in any way) has discussed the controversy surrounding this

upgrading process in his own guide to the California Dials. I will not repeat what he said, but urge you to look

for his guide and read it (and PLEASE vote "yes" for its helpfulness).

What I am here to do is to tell you how nice these modestly

priced watches are. And the answer is AWFULLY NICE.

But the best part is not the redo of the dials or even the genuine

Rolex waterproof case and winding stem. The best part, at least to my

way of thinking, is the 34mm size. These watches are about the

size of an American quarter (or a bottled water cap) and, thus

will fit most wrists comfortably. This is not the Rolex that is big

enough to use as a shield in a gunfight. This is not a Lady's watch,

either. This is the midsize- large enough to read, and small enough to

fit inside your shirt cuff. This is the Rolex for secure people.





In my experience, you can get a redialed Tudor Prince for about half

the price of a similar Rolex Oyster perpetual. By all means, if you

plan to wear the watch regularly, DO NOT BUY A MANUAL WIND ONE. Winding

and resetting the watch via the screw down crown will drive you crazy-

and likely strip the threads on the crown, if it hasn't already been

done.

By the way, did you hear about the two Dobermans named Rolex and Timex? They were watch dogs.

As always, I recommend doing a little research before buying or selling

any watch, especially one that will cost hundreds of dollars. Ask

questions, read guides, watch prices for a while, then make your move

to the watch that has style AND substance.

If you have a moment, please vote yes for the helpfulness of THIS little guide and see my others, too.

Thanks

WT

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Orignal From: The 34 mm Tudor-Rolex Oyster- a Wentworth favorite