Tudor Prince Rare Waffle Dial Reference 7909

This timepiece is curated from Carlo Biagiolis private collection.

Here's his take:
"A Tudor with a honeycomb showing a beautiful patina, on a Rolex big logo bracelet made for the Indian market. This watch is a prime example of what country-individualized productions stands for. The dial features a very individual and uncommon honeycomb structure. Back then, the big logo clasp jubilee bracelet was something I had never seen before. I bought this watch from a collector in India. It got me digging deeper into the rabbit hole to find out more about these special bracelets.
I was able to meet the owner of the company that produced these bracelets in India for the Indian market under license from Rolex. While he showed me his still operating factory and even the archived paperwork of the correspondence between him and Rolex, I was wearing this watch with a bright smile on my face. A great example of what defines me as a collector."

Here's ours:
One of the most interesting elements of these 1950s Tudors, aside from the classic Oyster case, is the huge range of dials that were used. And the most sought after are the texture dials, such as the one fitted to this cool reference 7909.
Featuring applied indexes and text that have both turned a warm copper colour, this is a very cool and rare waffle dial. The case remains in great condition all round with good thick lugs – we would say unpolished…if we used such a term! Even the original brevet ‘+’ crown is still there. The watch has an automatic movement, as signified by the word ‘PRINCE’ on the dial, which is Tudor’s equivalent of Rolex’s ‘PERPETUAL’, which has been fully serviced by our watchmaker.
This watch has a very special Jubilee bracelet attached, that was made in India and is 100% correct and official Rolex. Instead of folded links, the links are actually open in structure and the bracelet has fixed endlinks that are extra-long – they almost give the same effect as hooded lugs on early Rolex Bubbleback watches. We love this watch and, on this bracelet, it’s out of this world!

Specifications:

- Reference 7909
- Steel 34mm case
- Serial 151xx dating to mid-1950s
- Black honeycomb dial
- Original brevet ‘+’ winding crown
- Cal 390 automatic movement
- Rare Indian-made Rolex Jubilee bracelet
- Fully serviced by our watchmaker
- One-year mechanical warranty
- Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
- Free worldwide Fedex Priority shipping

Read the interview about Carlo and his life as a collector here