Rolex/Tudor

• cal. 1030 automatic nickel lever movement, 25 jewels • glossy black dial, gilt printing, sweep center seconds • rotating bezel calibrated for 60 units, large screw-down crown, engraving to the screw-down case back • dial and movement signed Rolex, case signed Rolex and Tudor • with a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet

The inside of the case back is signed Montres Tudors S.A. and further with IV 1958, corresponding to the last quarter of 1958. The outside of the case back is signed stainless steel, Oyster by Rolex. It is engraved 'William Grant, Winn. Ill.' The numbers between the lugs read 292860 and 7924 and are struck through with a line. The movement is running at the time of cataloguing, however it may require service soon. The dial has faded to a dark chocolate color and the luminescent finish to the hands is degraded. Interestingly, the the printing of the first, third and fourth line of this 'four-line' Submariner are less visible, possibly not having the final layer of white printing applied. The luminescent dot at the red triangle on the bezel is lost and some losses to the black finish as well. The case shows scuffs throughout from moderate to heavy wear and the bracelet will require repair.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The present lot is an extremely unusual example of the collaboration between the Rolex and Tudor branches of Rolex S.A. It features the iconic 8 millimeter large Brevete crown lacking shoulders of Rolex's famous 'Big Crown James Bond' Submariner, Ref. 6538. The cal. 1030 movement, glossy black dial and outside of the case back are further signed Rolex.

The inside of the case back, interestingly, is signed by Tudor and the reference number between the lugs, 7924, corresponds to Tudor's Big Crown model. Introduced in 1958, this model features the larger case and crown shared by Ref. 6538 and 7924. Rolex would ultimately fit their Submariner model with a smaller crown with a diameter of five or six millimeters.

The Tudor brand, first introduced by Rolex during the mid 1940s, was designed with the goal of offering high quality watches at less expensive prices than the Rolex counterparts. Rolex supplied Oyster cases and crowns that Tudor used in the manufacturing of their own models. The quality of the Tudor watches are viewed as on par by many contemporary collectors and are becoming extremely sought after due to their rarity.

For more information on this model and on the Submariner family of watches, see Skeet, M. & Urul, N. Vintage Rolex Sports Models, pp. 20-25. For further reading on watches worn by James Bond, see Watch Time, February 2009.