Tudor Submariner Date 'Snowflake'

Why We Love It Tudor had its genesis as a subsidiary of Rolex. Its watches were Rolexes in all but name: Rolex Oyster cases, crowns, and crystals. The only difference was what beat inside the Oyster cases — Swiss ETA movements rather than movements that Rolex built in-house. However, as the decades progressed, Tudor took steps to move out of its big brother’s shadow. As time wears on, more and more watch collectors and enthusiasts begin to appreciate the designs that were exclusive to Tudor's Submariner line. Though to some the Tudor Submariner was a pale imitation of its Rolex counterpart, by the 1960s and 1970s the model underwent a metamorphosis with a new design language that has become just as iconic. It started with the hands and indices—angular in shape, giving rise to the nickname “Snowflake.” This particular watch a Reference 94110, dates to circa 1973 and remains in striking condition throughout. With a heavily patinated and stippled blue "Snowflake" dial, matched handset, a lightly faded blue dive timing bezel, a recut 'holey lug' case, and a Rolex signed Oyster bracelet and crown, this one is sure to turn some heads! This is a great alternative to the much more well know and mainstream Rolex Submariner, but carries perhaps even more style and just as much history. The Tudor Story Although it started as Rolex’s gateway brand, the quality of Tudor’s products are by no means inferior to Rolex’s. Tudors were in many ways Rolexes in all but name, with the same waterproof Oyster cases and similar styling. However, in order to keep costs down, Tudor used off the shelf Swiss movements rather than their own in-house calibres. What resulted were watches that were more affordable than Rolexes to the consumer, but still uniformly tough and reliable. Hans Wilsdorf created Tudor for the everyman, for miners, construction workers and every sort of tradesman. Rolex was meant for the explorer and the businessman, where Tudor was to be a different creature entirely. For your everyday person Rolex was, and often still is out of reach. But in creating Tudor, Wilsdorf wanted to offer “a watch that our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that would attain the standards of dependability for which Rolex is famous." Today Tudor has certainly defeated any impression of being the redheaded stepchild of the Rolex family, and their current timepiece collection – as well as their vintage counterparts – are getting the recognition and respect they most rightfully deserve.