For sale we have a late 1930s Tudor cushion case watch. This is a rare, early example of a Tudor watch with the Tudor ‘Long T’ logo commonly seen on Australian market models. The dial is a silver tone and is well layed out, with railroad track for the minutes, large Arabic numerals and an inset sub-second register. It is a chrome cushion case, with a stainless-steel back with Rolex S.A. signing and the reference 781. It is a charming size, measuring 29mm x 29mm which was common during this era. Inside is a manual wind Tudor cal 59 movement which is running well.
 
It was in single family ownership until its sale to ourselves. It comes with Rolex service invoicing dating to 1968. It is highly unusually to see such correspondence from so long ago, which is only possible due to its ownership history.
 
Tudor was a sub-brand of Rolex, created by the president Hans Wilsdorf. Tudor was first registered by him in 1926, with the first watches with their name appearing in 1932. These tended to be rectangular, or cushion shaped, with the distinctive ‘Long T’ logo, typical of Art Deco styling. The name was little used prior to WW2, expect for watches sold within the Australian market. This appears to be a UK market example which is highly unusual for such an early period of Tudors market supply.
 
The aim was to satisfy the demand for watches across multiple price points as the watch market boomed. Wilsdorfs idea was to register multiple brand names, that allowed Rolex Watch Company to supply other watches, that were not Rolex watches. 
 
Tudor was the only separate brand name that made it past 1945, with the brand eventually being floated off as a separate company, Montres Tudor S.A.  
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is in average condition for the age. It is a silver base tone which has darkened with age slightly. The signing is all visible and clear, but has worn slightly with ageing. 
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and are of syringe style. They have the original radium lume. They are aged, with the minute hand having worn on the end.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a modern replacement with only some light scratches.
 
Crown: 
The crown is appears original and is in good condition, functioning as it should.
 
Case:
The case is two piece with the centre section being chrome plated with wire lugs. It is in decent condition for chrome of this age. It has some slight green colouration to the edge of the front where it meets the stainless back. It has light surface scratching associated with age. The two pieces of the case seal together tightly. 
 
Caseback:
The case back is formed of Stainless Steel and is in good condition. It has no denting, no inscription and only light surface scratching. 
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap with metal tabs for fixed lugs.
 
Movement: 
The movement is a Tudor calibre 59, which is an FHF 30 base movement. It is manual wind, with sub second and a jewel count of 15. 
 
The service history is unknown, but the watch is functioning well. It’s keeping time to +60 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 265 degrees and a beat error of 0.7m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 29mm
Case width with crown: 30mm 
Case length: 29mm 
Case length lug to lug: 35mm
Case Depth: 9.5mm
Lug width: 16mm