This ref. 7928 Submariner has all the details that make vintage special, in spades. First, it's a bit special. This is a full gloss dial with gilt track. Yes, Tudor made a glossy dial for (approximately) just one year in production, stacked between two matte dials, in 1966. The accepted serial range is 506-598XXX, and this example tracks at 507. This means you get a rose dial, smiley text, and old-style gloss dial construction with gilt. It's a niche collector's Sub, but when it catches reflections just right it's also magic to look at.
But vintage is surely all about history, patina, depth. Well, buckle up. The owner of this 7928 kept its full set together throughout its life, which ties in to its insanely cool case patina. The papers note delivery to what looks like a US military PX address, in 1968. But it's the case that tells the full story, which is hand-engraved 'JR McCONNELL', as was standard practice for watches of US military servicemen at the time. The engraving is rough stylistically, but so light that we had to drastically sharpen the image in post to get it show up. It wouldn't have lasted on a polishing wheel, which means we can also say with some certainty that these lugs are not touched: thick, beveled, and hard-worn.
We all love Submariners for their practicality, beauty, and history. There's no way we'll ever known just what this one went through, but it wears its life on its skin with grace and pride, almost like a hard-earned unit patch. Every millimeter of its exterior is hard worn and original, with small marks all over the crystal, bezel, and original stretch rivet bracelet (seriously, there's nothing as comfortable). How it managed to keep its tritium bezel pearl we'll also never know. But its one of the most complete and interesting Subs we've had in. If one wanted to show a new watch enthusiast the charm of vintage, there would be few more persuasive watches. It's taken on 57 years of sheer adventure and is ready for wherever you take it next.
