'Pumpkin' Dial 94110 Tudor Snowflake Submariner

It took this, the Snowflake Sub, to prove that Tudor could improve upon Rolex’s success in ways other than value. The larger tritium plots with harsh angles were designed to be maximally legible at a glance, nothing more, likely at the request of the Marine Nationale. Ever since, it has become the cornerstone of the brand’s identity. The 94010 and this 94110 did not introduce the snowflake handset. But they certainly popularized it, this was the longest and most significant production reference to feature them in period. And, if we’re being honest, they’re just more fun that 5513s or 1680s, which can take themselves a bit seriously today.

The Snowflake handset began in the 7016 and 7021, to great success. The 94010 and 94110 (date) debuted modified ETA movements, a trend which would last awhile. By the time these references were introduced, the Tudor Sub already had a reputation for doing its job rather well. This saw not just the Marine Nationale, but Royal Canadian Navy (they got their own hand configuration), South African Navy, IDF (7928 there), Jamaica, and many others still utilize them. Dials changed slightly in font around 1981, but they’re minor difference. A ‘Type A’ dial post 1980 is probably service, to the extent that that matters to you.

This is a type B, from 1982. And its lived life. The dial is what most will call pumpkin, and it earns that commonly misapplied adjective. But I’m even more attracted to the steel around the lume on the handset, which clearly has had saltwater air near them and show a massive patina as well. Tool watches should be made by their character, a life fully lived is more attractive here. This is that, in spades. It’s a monumentally important model as the core of what makes Tudor great today: experimentation, purpose, and ability to take abuse. They’re not rare, only made rare by how many have been messed with over time. If you want nothing more than a great vintage Submariner that’s beautiful, it’s worth asking again if you really want that 1680. Because the little brother really isn’t so little when you understand they’re each aiming for different metrics.

This example sports a fantastic case with hard, honest wear and even stronger bevels that haven't been recut from what I can tell in images. The dial speaks for itself. Even the tritium pip matches perfectly. It comes on a Tudor signed 9315, from a well-regarded Spanish retailer.