TUDOR. - Lot 157

TUDOR. Submariner. Said "Marine Nationale". Ref. 94010. No. 903532. "MN 77". Steel diving wristwatch with marking on the back for the French Navy. Case: round, screw-down crown and caseback, graduated rotating bezel, caseback marked on the back "MN 77", caseback with number "9411". Dial: blue with stylized indexes, restored hands and central second hand, railway minute track, signed. (Slight scratches on dial, service hands and central second hand, not original). Movement: automatic with "Auto Prince" rotor, Cal. 2776 ETA, 25 jewels, signed. Strap/clasp: NATO in light fabric with metal pin buckle, unsigned. Case diameter: 39 mm. (as is). Note: This watch, originally given to a former welder-diver by an officer of the French Navy, is of particular significance. According to family tradition, the gift is a token of gratitude to the current owner for saving a child from drowning. Presented in the early 1980s, the watch has remained in the hands of its current owner ever since. A period photograph of the diver, who specialized in site work on special missions, is reproduced below in the catalog. The relationship between Tudor and the French Navy is a fascinating chapter in military watchmaking, particularly developed in the 1960s-1980s. Tudor equipped certain units of the French Navy, notably with "Submariner" models specifically adapted to the needs of combat divers and combat swimmers. These watches often bore special "MN" (Marine Nationale) markings and featured enhanced technical features to meet operational requirements. In the 1970s, Tudor introduced the Submariner 9401/0 and 9411/0 watch references. This new generation of Submariner was equipped with a modified ETA movement, caliber 2776, intended for undated models such as our example. These two references were available simultaneously and were also the last to feature the famous "Snowflake" dial, like our example. Around 1976, the "/" was removed from both references. From then on, and until the end of their production run, they were referred to as 94110 and 94010. We are in possession of three photographs showing the owner of the watch in diving gear, a copy of which will be given to the purchaser. Expert : Geoffroy ADER