This is a quintessential example of Tudor's classic mid-60s design, a 1965 Tudor Prince Oysterdate Model 7966. Encased in the iconic 34mm stainless steel Oyster three piece Rolex case, this watch balances rugged durability with an elegance that rivals its Rolex siblings.
The standout feature is undoubtedly the stunning original silver sunburst dial. It is in beautiful condition, featuring mixed applied Coffin shaped baton hour markers and the highly desirable "Small Rose" logo at 12 o'clock, a hallmark of this era before the shield logo took over. The dial is framed by a smooth stainless steel bezel and protected by a plexiglass crystal with the signature Cyclops date magnifier.
Adding to its vintage charm are the sharp Alpha hands, which offer a more refined and dressier look than the later stick hands. The original tritium lume plots have aged to a lovely, warm vanilla tone, matching perfectly with the lume in the hands, giving the watch a cohesive and authentic vintage character.
Under the hood lies the reliable Tudor Calibre 2462, a 25-jewel automatic movement known for its robustness and accuracy. The "Rotor Self-Winding" text on the dial proudly announces this automatic convenience, a significant feature for a daily wearer in the 1960s.
The case back is engraved "Original Oyster Case by Rolex Geneva", a reminder of the shared DNA and quality standards between the two brands. The crown is also signed with the Rolex crown logo, further cementing its pedigree.
We have paired this watch with a high-quality brown Genuine ostrich 19mm strap, which elevates its dressy appeal while keeping it versatile enough for jeans and a t-shirt.
Just after the Second World War, Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex, knew that the time had come to expand and give the Tudor brand a true identity of its own. He created the “Montres TUDOR S.A.” company on the 6th March 1946, specializing in models for men and women. Rolex guaranteed the technical, aesthetic, and functional characteristics, along with the distribution and after-sales service.
In 1947 Tudor introduced the Oyster, their first waterproof watch, building on the success of the Rolex Oyster of the same period. In 1952, 26 Tudor Oyster Prince watches were included in the British scientific expedition to Greenland, organised by the Royal Navy and sponsored by The Queen. This showed the world how robust Tudor Oyster watches were.
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
The Tudor Prince Oysterdate 7966 is, in our opinion, one of the best value propositions in the vintage watch world. You get the waterproof history of the Oyster case, the prestige of the Rolex connection, and a design that is timelessly stylish.
The combination of the Alpha hands and the Small Rose logo makes this specific iteration feel special and slightly more sophisticated than later models. It sits beautifully on the wrist at 34mm—a classic size that exudes understated confidence. Whether you are a seasoned collector looking for a perfect daily wearer or someone buying their first serious vintage piece, this Tudor ticks every single box.
Spec Stuff
Serial 49####
Reference : 7966
Movement : Automatic Cal. 2462, 25 Jewels Age :1960/1969 Specific Age :1965 Case Size : 34mm Case Thickness : 12mm Lug to Lug : 40mm Lugs : 19mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof service cover
1965 Tudor Prince Oysterdate Model 7966 - Stunning Original Silver Dial with Alpha Hands
