This is a very early 9401/0 from the year it was introduced, 1976. It has lived a life that other examples should envy, used often and hard to the point of developing this vivid patina. Following the 7016/7021, this was the reference that made the 'Snowflake' handset what it is today and sold widely. It was designed to Marine Nationale military criteria, with hacking seconds and a Rolex-made (and branded) case capable of 200m water resistance. There may be no more recognizable vintage Tudor than this 9401/0.
The snowflake shape provided a greater real estate for tritium, that was the entire idea; simple and practical. It’s very likely that this change was a request from the Marine Nationale after an order of 7016 Subs, though Tudor themselves seem strangely keen to say it was a design-led decision. Whatever the history exactly, snowflake handsets are a design bastion for Tudor today that came from practical origins. Where Rolex rarely alter the recipe more than a mil or two, Tudor was free to be Skunk Works. Snowflake hands are also a marker of Tudor being proudly differentiated from Rolex for the first time. It’s an objectively more legible layout, true improvement.
But this example is made by the years it has spent on wrist. Interestingly, this Sub was sourced from an RCN dive base, but as there is no concrete paperwork or engraving tying it to this provenance, we're selling it as if it were a standard 9401/0 in value. However, this should be noted as it explains the truly incredible patina. It predates what would've been a 'hybrid' RCN layout. In in the words of Mr. Wingold writing for Hodinkee, 'Canadian military Submariners are perhaps some of the rarest and least wholly understood of all the Tudor milsubs, given that relevant documentation and service ledgers are practically non-existent.' The earliest RCN Hybrid dials known start near case serial 88XXXX, this Submariner is earlier, and amongst the earliest, at 846XXX. The 9401/0 reference only began at 845XXX.
Its character is remarkable. This black dial has warmed to a deep umber, sporting plots that have gone to a deep honey, verging on pumpkin. By this time, Tudor had corrected the infamous 'bubbling' of early 9411/0 dials. Yet, the plots are still raised and textured deeply. Its case is similarly hard-worn, but remarkably sharp still. If a tool watch is given soul by the life it has lived, then this is Marvin Gaye.
