Tudor California Dial - Expertise needed.

Posts

298

Likes

1,869

Timetron

·Feb 9, 2023

Hello All!

I came across this Tudor with california dial yesterday night and I am very tempted to place a bid on it. I did some image research but I am not well versed on vintage Tudors.

Anyone with Tudor expertise, please take a look at the potos and give me your opinion?






Tudor case with Rolex crown?



Your opinion is very much appreciated.

P.S.:Just requested photos of the opened case and exposed movement. Will post as soon as I get them.

Edited: Feb 9, 2023

 

Posts

473

Likes

1,187

Wlcutter

·Feb 9, 2023

I'd bet good money it's a redial.

 

Posts

15,474

Likes

45,799

Canuck

·Feb 9, 2023

I very much doubt that this watch left Tudor with that dial! For sure, confirm it is a self-winder before you go any further. The dial would turn me off!

 

Posts

473

Likes

1,187

Wlcutter

·Feb 9, 2023

Rolex crown is correct; to my knowledge, Tudor didn't use mercedes hands in anything other than their subs.

 

Posts

298

Likes

1,869

Timetron

·Feb 9, 2023

@WIcutter
@Canuck

I appreciate both comments.

Edited: Feb 9, 2023

 

Posts

4,593

Likes

10,810

janice&fred

·Feb 9, 2023

Those pristine Tudor "California" dials were coming out of Hong Kong at least twenty years ago. Phil Chan of "Philwatch" fame on ebay got banned for selling watches equipped with them, which was rather harsh on ebay's part since there was full disclosure in the listings. Goes to show you the power of Rolex on ebay.

 

Posts

298

Likes

1,869

Timetron

·Feb 9, 2023

janice&fred

Those pristine Tudor "California" dials were coming out of Hong Kong at least twenty years ago. Phil Chan of "Philwatch" fame on ebay got banned for selling watches equipped with them, which was rather harsh on ebay's part since there was full disclosure in the listings. Goes to show you the power of Rolex on ebay.

Interesting read. Thank you!

 

Posts

298

Likes

1,869

Timetron

·Feb 9, 2023

@Canuck

Canuck

I very much doubt that this watch left Tudor with that dial! For sure, confirm it is a self-winder before you go any further. The dial would turn me off!

Movement is self-winder. Here are the pics I finally received from the seller

 

Posts

18,202

Likes

27,526

Foo2rama

·Feb 9, 2023·Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...

My read is that is not a dial that left the factory.
Mr here are multiple reasons why, the least of which is the time period and that type of dial don’t line up.

 

Posts

298

Likes

1,869

Timetron

·Feb 10, 2023

I decided not to place a bid, but I am now very curious about the Tudor-Rolex California dial, artificial, and illegitimate oddity. I am surprised to see how reputable sellers online get to market and sell these, aside from the these curiosities being an spontaneous hybrid creation at some point in time; watch enthusiasts started looking at these as a legit watch proposition (I almost wanted to get one). It is an interesting phenomena... A new lesson every day!

Edited: Feb 10, 2023

 

Posts

4,593

Likes

10,810

janice&fred

·Feb 10, 2023

Oh they are very appealing looking, just not Kosher.

 

Posts

943

Likes

2,442

vibe

·Feb 10, 2023

Dial and hands are fake but the case, crown, movement look good. Worth it maybe if you can get it cheap.

 

Posts

5,597

Likes

9,413

watchyouwant

·Feb 11, 2023

Not sure about the case. With that one lousy caseback picture it looks like laser engravings to me.

 

Posts

13,192

Likes

22,933

Davidt

·Feb 11, 2023

I don’t know the first thing about vintage Tudor but as many others have said, even with a quick glance, nothing about it looks correct.

 

Posts

460

Likes

385

nkhandekar

·Feb 28, 2023

the 8 on that dial pops. I would guess it's from a place where 8 has special significance, and that's not going to be the Tudor factory.