Here we have an early 1950s Tudor Oyster reference 4540, in a Stainless Steel Oyster case. The 4540 is a standout reference amongst the Oyster models offered by Rolex and Tudor, due to the tapered horn lug design. The case measures 34mm, maintaining the original ‘Oyster Patent’ crew down crown. The rear has the classic coin edge screw down back with the reference and serial number signing. It has the original patinated white dial, which has the Tudor ‘small rose’ logo in the shield. It has clear 1/5th of a second graduations for accurate timing, with the radium luminous hour markers. The thermally blued hands with radium in-fill shine brightly, with the red central second hand. Inside is the Tudor calibre 59 SC movement, which has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time.
 
This is a watch that perfectly combines form and function. The dial is clear and functional, of the classic tool watch design from the period. The hour markers are of a clear Arabic numeral design with aged radium luminous in-fill. Outside of this is the seconds track, with 5 second arabic markers and further single and 1/5th of a second graduations for accurate timing. The ‘small rose’ logo is below 12 O’clock with the ‘Tudor Oyster’ signing below. The Tudor signing is in the classic font of the era which is pleasing to the eye. The hour and minute hands are of Index style with the thermally blued finish that shines brightly in the light. The Radium luminous in-fill no longer glows but has developed a lovely yellow/brown tone. The central second hand is red which provides clarity to the timekeeping. 
 
Form comes to the forefront with the case design. The reference 4540 has the beautiful elongated, tapered horn lug design. This styling catches the eye and provides something different from the usually functional Oyster cases. It also increases the presence of the watch on the wrist with the lug-to-lug measurement stretching to 42.75mm. This, combined with the 37mm width with the crown, make this a well-proportioned vintage watch that wears beyond its strict 34mm width. The polished bezel falls away from the crystal, creating a smooth frame to the dial, leading into the flat sides of the case. The watch has the original ‘Oyster Patent’ screw down crown to the right, which is often replaced with age and wear. 
To the rear is the Oyster screw down back with the coin edge finish to the outside. It is signed with the serial number and the reference 4540.
 
The Tudor calibre 59 SC has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within +20 seconds a day. It is manual wind, with sweep centre second and a jewel count of 17. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 40-hour power reserve. It is an unusual example to not have shockproofing as many others of this reference are. It has the original movement spacer and case clamps holding it in place. 
 
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 good original condition. It is a cream tone which has darkened slightly in areas. The signing is all good and unworn, with the original Radium luminous hour markers. 
 
Hands: 
The hands are original. The hour and minute hands are thermally blued with the radium luminous in-fill. The red second hand is original to the watch. 
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a replacement which is in good condition.
 
Crown: 
The crown is original and is in decent condition with the coin edge finish. It has some light surface scratching. It screws down securely. The ‘Oyster Patent’ text is clear, with a scratch over the ‘E’.
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in fair condition for the age. It has a polished finish with light surface scratching associated with ageing. The drilled lugs are good and without wear. It has been lightly polished in the past. 
 
Caseback:
The case back is formed of steel and is in decent condition for the age. It is a classic coin coin edge screw back. It has light surface scratching consistent with age, and some deeper scuffs to the edges from poor opening. It has been polished in the past. The coin edge is lacking definition due to this. The serial number and reference number are still clear.
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a new genuine leather strap. 
 
Movement: 
The movement is a Tudor calibre 59 SC, which is an FHF 30-1 base calibre. It is manual wind, with sweep centre second and a jewel count of 17. It has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a 40-hour power reserve. 
 
The movement has been recently serviced. It’s keeping time to +15 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 305 degrees and a beat error of 0.8 m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 34mm
Case width with crown: 37mm
Case length: 33.9mm
Case length lug to lug: 42.75mm
Case Depth: 12mm
Lug width: 18mm