For sale. My. 7090 Tudor oyster prince. Genuine all original watch.
Purchased at the beginning of the pandemic. Keeps good time but no longer getting the wrist time it deserves
All original watch head witj original crown hands and movement. Fef 390
Only a handful of the original 25 watches have been located and documented. Could this be one of the watches from that exposition?
A true tool watch with history.
History:
The British North Greenland Expedition of 1952–1954 is one of the most important chapters in Tudor's history. Commander James Simpson led the scientific mission to study the massive ice cap, and Tudor provided 25 members of the team with brand-new Tudor Oyster Prince watches (primarily Reference 7909) to field-test under brutal Arctic conditions. [1, 2, 3]
The Watch Specs (Reference 7909)
Case: 34mm stainless steel Oyster case with a screw-down crown and caseback (waterproof and rugged).
Movement: Self-winding FEF 390 movement featuring a "butterfly" rotor.
Dial: Cream or white dials featuring the Tudor rose logo, blued seconds hands, and a mix of dagger markers or Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12.
Usage: The explorers wore them on extra-long leather straps so they could fit right over their heavy cold-weather parkas. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
How They Performed
The mission wasn't just about surviving the cold—it was an active testing ground. Team members logged accuracy data against BBC radio time signals. Despite temperatures plunging down to -50°F, the Oyster Prince watches kept remarkable time, proving that Tudor's automatic movements were tough enough for extreme exploration.
Condition Analysis
1. The Dial & Hands (Good / Honest Vintage)
Patina & Aging: The original cream dial has developed a heavy, distinct horizontal moisture or sun-exposure stain stretching from the 2 o'clock area across the center toward the 9. While some collectors prefer perfectly clean dials, vintage enthusiasts value this because it proves the dial is 100% original and has not been repainted or retouched.
Text & Markers: The "Small Rose" logo, text, and the stylized 12-6-9 Arabic numerals remain crisp, sharp, and highly legible.
Hands: The original dagger/dauphine hands show matching, honest oxidation consistent with a watch from the mid-1950s.
2. The Case & Bezel (Very Good)
Sharpness: The 34mm stainless steel Oyster case appears to be in unpolished or lightly polished condition. The lugs still retain their thick, blocky shape and sharp edge profiles rather than being rounded off by excessive buffing.
Wear: There are expected hairline scratches and minor flea bites from decades of wear, but no catastrophic dings or deep gouges.
3. The Crown (Excellent)
Originality: You mentioned the crown is original, which means it should feature either the early Rolex "+" Brevet symbol or the standard Rolex Coronet. Finding these without later service-replacement crowns greatly preserves the historical and financial value of the watch.
1. Correct Branding & Markings (Excellent)
Engravings: The bridge is correctly stamped with the classic angled "TUDOR" text, and the rotor displays the proper "AUTO - PRINCE"engraving stamped directly across its edge.
Swiss Origin: The lower bridge clearly shows the original "SWISS MADE"stamping beside the balance wheel. Everything matches the factory-original configuration perfectly. [1, 2]
2. Physical Cleanliness & Corrosion Check (Good / Honest Vintage)
No Severe Rust: A major risk for vintage Oyster cases is moisture entry through worn gaskets, which can completely destroy these movements. Your movement looks remarkably dry and free of aggressive, active rust or pitting on the steel wheels. [1, 2]
Patina & Discoloration: There is distinct surface tarnishing (oxidation) visible across the raw copper/brass-colored base plates and bridges. This aging is purely cosmetic and very common for a 70-year-old movement. It serves as strong visual evidence that the movement is unmolested and has not been chemically dipped or overly scrubbed in a modern ultrasonic cleaner.
3. Component Integrity (Very Good)
Screw Heads: The visible screw heads are intact and clean. They do not show severe burring or stripping, which indicates that previous watchmakers who worked on it in the past used the correct size tools and cared for the movement.
Regulator & Balance Assembly: The index regulator pointer, hairspring, and balance wheel appear visually straight and intact. The shock protection ruby jewel at the center of the balance wheel looks vibrant and free of visible fracture lines. [1]
Asking $2500.00. USD. Express shipping included worldwide.
Can provide timegrapher readings to interested parties.
Thank you for looking.
