Tudor Oyster Prince Self-Winding "Greenland Expedition" Ref. 7809 (Circa 1954) – Rare Vintage Automatic Watch
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Tudor Oyster Prince Self-Winding "Greenland Expedition" Ref. 7809 (Circa 1954) – Rare Vintage Automatic Watch
Exceptional Original Tudor Oyster Prince 7809 – Historic Greenland Expedition Model
An outstanding example of the highly collectible Tudor Oyster Prince Self-Winding Ref. 7809, dating to circa 1954, one of the most historically significant early Tudor tool watches ever produced.
Presented in excellent original, unrestored condition, this desirable vintage Tudor retains its fully signed original dial, original matching handset, and original Rolex-signed screw-down waterproof Oyster crown. The robust monobloc Oyster case remains exceptionally well preserved, demonstrating the quality and durability for which early Tudor Oyster watches are renowned.
- Model: Tudor Oyster Prince Self-Winding
- Reference: 7809
- Year: Circa 1954
- Case: Original stainless steel monobloc Oyster case
- Case Diameter: 34mm (excluding crown)
- Crown: Original screw-down waterproof Oyster crown
- Dial: Original fully signed Tudor dial
- Hands: Original matching handset
- Movement: Automatic self-winding Tudor movement
- Condition: Excellent original and unrestored example
- Price: £1,795.00
- Shipping: Fully insured UK delivery included
A Watch with Proven Expedition Heritage
The Tudor Oyster Prince Ref. 7809 occupies an important place in both Tudor and Rolex history. According to surviving historical records, just 26 Tudor Oyster Prince Ref. 7809 watches were supplied to the British North Greenland Expedition during the early 1950s as part of Rolex's programme to test its watches under some of the harshest environmental conditions on Earth.
These expedition watches featured the distinctive one-piece monobloc Oyster case, incorporating both the screw-down crown and case construction to maximise water resistance and durability in extreme Arctic conditions.
Originally delivered on brown leather straps, the Ref. 7809 closely resembled the famous Rolex Ref. 6098 "Pre-Explorer" Oyster watches supplied to the 1952 Everest Expedition, sharing the same philosophy of rugged reliability and precision while housed in a slightly smaller and highly wearable 34mm case.
Rare Original Dial Configuration
The Greenland Expedition Tudor Oyster Prince was produced with two distinct original dial layouts:
- A clean baton-marker dial similar to the Rolex Ref. 6098.
- The highly desirable Explorer-style configuration featuring applied Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9, which would later influence both the Rolex Explorer and Tudor Ranger collections.
The precise production numbers of each dial variation remain unknown, adding further intrigue and collectability to these historically important watches.
Built to Survive the Arctic
As part of Rolex's ongoing research into precision timekeeping, expedition members regularly compared the accuracy of their Tudor Oyster Prince watches against BBC radio time signals. These observations became part of Rolex's technical development programme that would ultimately contribute to the legendary reputation of both Rolex and Tudor Oyster watches.
An Increasingly Collectible Early Tudor
The Tudor Oyster Prince Ref. 7809 represents one of the earliest chapters in Tudor's history as a manufacturer of professional-grade tool watches. Closely associated with Rolex's pioneering expedition testing programme, surviving original examples are becoming increasingly difficult to source, particularly those retaining their original dial, hands, crown and unrestored condition.
Whether acquired as an investment-grade vintage watch, an important addition to a serious Tudor or Rolex collection, or as an exceptional everyday vintage timepiece, this Ref. 7809 offers outstanding historical significance, originality and enduring appeal.
Price: £1,795.00
Price includes fully insured shipping within the United Kingdom.
Worldwide shipping available by quotation.