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21/02/2019     Watches

Tudor is a standalone sub-brand of watch giant Rolex, created in 1945 with the purpose of producing more affordable timepieces while maintaining the quality of the brand. With activity in mind, Tudor became known for sports watches. Just like its parent Rolex, Tudor soon had a strong market presence and becoming popular due to their innovative movements and forward thinking designs.

In 1970, Tudor created their first chronograph watches, models 7031 and 7032. These early examples were only in production for two years. Like many watches that have become iconic, sought after collector’s pieces, these ones have a nickname. They are known as having the ‘Monte Carlo home plate dial,’ in reference to the hour markers’ similarity in shape to home plates in baseball.

McTear’s is pleased to present lot 754 (£4,000- 7,000) in The Watches Auction, a very rare Tudor Monte Carlo home plate wrist watch. Ticking all the boxes, this particular example of the sought after model also has a very interesting and appropriate history.

This watch has had one owner from new, a Scot who when returning from working in the USA in the early 1970s travelled via Bermuda to see a friend. After enjoying skin diving and snorkelling, the vendor realised he required a waterproof watch and bought this one from an authorised dealer called Crisson in the capital city of Hamilton. The watch was then worn by him continuously for 30 years, during day-to-day life, further diving, snorkelling and later during rally driving. As a Scottish Rally Championship navigator for 10 years, the owner used the watch to check his driver’s position in races through forest stages. It is satisfying to note that the watch has been used during pursuits for which it was intended; diving- it is waterproof up to 50 meters and racing- with the tachymeter scale to the bezel.

This watch is sure to be coveted and heavily competed for at the auction on Tuesday 26th February. The sale offers not only the opportunity to own a piece of watchmaking history but the chance to own an example that has lived the life for which it was built, something of great value to collectors. 

Click to view the auction catalogue in full. >>

Sarah Fegusson 

 

Viewing for the auction is open from 10am on Thursday 21 February. Come along and view watches, coins and jewellery. McTear’s Café is open all day to serve breakfast and lunch, Italian coffees and speciality teas, along with soft and alcoholic drinks.

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