Tudor Prince Oysterdate Submariner 94110 ‘Snowflake’ - Black Dial & Bezel

Tudor was founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf as a trademark and became an official brand in 1946, shortly after WWII. Its mission was clear: to offer robust, high-quality watches with Rolex's reliability, at a more accessible price point. Soon after Rolex patented the Oyster case, Tudor began using the first "Waterproof Case," becoming the only other brand permitted to do so. At that time, Tudor watches shared many components with Rolex, including cases, crowns, and bracelets, differing mainly in branding and the use of outsourced movements. This formula remained unchanged until the late 1960s, when Tudor began to break away from Rolex's design codes. This era marked the brand's first steps toward building a distinct identity. As such, the Tudor rose emblem was replaced by a sleek modern shield logo, symbolizing a new era of stylistic independence. The Tudor Submariner, introduced in 1954, a year after Rolex's, offers a perfect lens into this evolution. In 1969, Tudor debuted references 7016 and 7021, which featured bold square hour markers and the now-iconic "snowflake" hands, creating a unique and recognizable design separate from Rolex. The design was carried over to references 9401/0 and 9411/0, both introduced in the early to mid-1970s. Not long after, Tudor began phasing out the use of the '/' in reference numbers. The present example, reference 94110, is one of these later models, distinguished from its predecessor, the 9401/0, and its peer, the 94010, by the addition of a date window at 3 o'clock. Offered in both black and blue variants, this particular piece features the more classic configuration: a black dial and bezel. Dating to 1979, this example has been preserved in very good condition and is fitted with an Oyster bracelet featuring folded links. Powered by a reliable ETA automatic movement, this watch makes for a perfect and dependable everyday companion.