Collector Guide

The world of watchmaking and motorsport have long been synonymous with one another.

Brave men exploring the limits of physics in complex machinery separated by fractions of time.

Mayfair watch has proudly partnered with up and coming British Racing Driver Horatio Fitz-Simon, supporting his latest feature under the spotlight at the World Famous Brands Hatch Festival & Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone in a Formula Ford.

Horatio Fitz-Simon is a 19 year-old racing driver from Towcester, England.

Moving stateside when he just was a baby, and raised in California, Horatio’s fate was obvious from an early age. An avid motor racing fanatic from the start, he only ever had a single goal in mind: to one day be a Formula One driver.

His career started at 12 in karting, and immediately saw immense success. In his debut season, Horatio impressed right from the starting line by achieving several race wins, pole positions, and podiums. He achieved 3rd overall in the Sanzaru Games Rotax Challenge and was awarded "Driver of the Year" along with the title of "Rising Star".

Following up in strong fashion, his 2013 Season featured several pole positions, ten race wins, and eight lap records, going on to become the California Redline Oil Series Champion, Gatorz Challenge of the Americas Vice Champion, and an overall ranking of #5 driver in the US. Recognised for this astonishing feat, Horatio was thrust into the global spotlight when selected to drive for Team USA in the Rotax World Finals. Set amongst the world’s most elite driver line-up, he cemented his position at the top, setting consistent fastest laps.

Today, Horatio has thrown in all of his chips and returned to the birthplace of motorsport to pursue his racing career in its purest form. He is currently testing for the 2020 season and competing in various one-off events to garner the attention necessary from those who can make his dream a reality.

Credit: Bobwatches

Reference 1655 (1971-1984)

• 39mm

• caliber 1575

• large orange 24-hour hand painted tritium indices

• black dial only

• lines between even numbers on the bezel

Reference 16550 (1985-1989)

• 40mm

• caliber 3085

• white gold surrounds on hour markers

• black or white (faded to cream) dials

Reference 16570 (1989-2011)

• 40mm case

• cal 3185 with Nivarox hairspring

• skinny red 24-hour hand

• black or white dials

16570 Version 1 – (1989-1997) Features “SWISS – T<25” Dial, 3185 movement, drilled lugs case, pressure bracelet clasp

16570 Version 2 – (1998/1999 features “SWISS” Only Dial, 3185 movement, drilled lugs, locking bracelet clasp

16570 Version 3 – (1999-2005) features “SWISS MADE” Dial, 3185 movement, drilled lugs, or no-holes case

16570 Version 4 – (2005-2011) features “SWISS MADE Dial, 3186 movement, no holes case, rehaut, solid endlinks, locking bracelet clasp

Reference 216570 (2011-2021)

• 42mm case (sometimes called a Super Case, or Maxi Case)

• caliber 3187

• black or white dial

• large orange 24-hour hand

• Chomalight lume

Reference 226570 (2021-present)

• 42mm case (sometimes called a Super Case, or Maxi Case)

• Caliber 3285

• Black or white dial

• Large orange 24-hour hand

• Upgraded Chomalight lume

• Enamel dial

Steve MaQueen picked what would become one of the most famous watches in history out of a lineup. 1971’s Le Mans was in pre-production, and McQueen, playing pro racer Michael Delaney, needed a watch. At first, and Omega Speedmaster that caught his eye, but prop manager Don Nunley reminded him of the Heuer badge on his character’s uniform, the same as most real-life competitive drivers at the time. Nothing was more important to McQueen than authenticity. So he switched gears: his character would wear a Heuer Monaco in the film.

Steve McQueen on set during the filming of Le Mans, June 14,  1970.

Courtesy of Tudor

For nearly half a century, TUDOR has left its mark on the history of chronographs with products of strong identity, unique style and uncompromising quality. By proving equal to the task, by kindling passion, by constantly improving its products and by offering models clearly belonging to their era but retaining their own distinct identity, TUDOR has earned a place apart in the field of sports chronographs, embodied in the development of four successive families of products. The year 1995 marked the inauguration of the second series of Prince Oysterdate self-winding chronographs, introducing numerous aesthetic and technical improvements such as a reworked and refined case and a virtually scratchproof sapphire crystal.

In 1995, with the introduction of the series of 79200 references, the appearance of the Prince Oysterdate self-winding chronograph was rethought subtly but significantly. To begin with, the case, which over three generations of chronographs had essentially retained its famous imposing, sharp presence, became more refined and softer. Keeping a highly recognisable silhouette, it now presented to the eye softer lines consisting of curves and rounded configurations. Three more notable changes marked the design of this fourth generation: a new characteristic dial, silver with cream-coloured counters, was introduced, a black anodised aluminium insert with a transfer replaced the traditional Plexiglas tachymetric-scale bezel insert, and a sapphire crystal with a Cyclops lens was adopted to replace the Plexiglas crystal. Its movement remained the self-winding Valjoux Calibre 7750 in a substantially improved version. Its finishing was characteristic and benefitted from a particular aesthetic effort. Entirely refreshed, its decor was called “special TUDOR”. Its rotor was no longer decorated with transfer marking, but engraved and gilded. Its screws were now polished rather than matt. In 1996, the company Montres TUDOR S.A. celebrated its 50th anniversary. Having attained its maturity, the brand was now known in all markets. Thus the direct references to Rolex were gradually disappearing from the cases, winding crowns and bracelets of TUDOR watches.

Reference 79260 was the one on which the tachymetricscale bezel with the Plexiglas insert was replaced by an anodised aluminium insert with a transfer. The example presented here was produced in 1996 and featured the new-variation chronograph dial with a silver background and cream-coloured counters.

As of 1998, the TUDOR Prince Oysterdate chronographs appeared in the catalogue on steel bracelets with five links referenced 62490 and signed TUDOR. The Oyster bracelet was thus progressively abandoned. Reference 79260 illustrated here and produced in 2000 bore only TUDOR markings and had, logically, abandoned the Oyster name; its dial now bore the signature “PRINCE DATE”. This name change was noted as of 1997, the year during which the Prince Date chronographs would become available for the first time on leather straps with a steel folding clasp marked TUDOR.

Early advertisement for the Tudor Oyster Prince

Technical Specs:
Case Diameter: 34 millimeters
Lug Width: 19 millimeters
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Condition: Great condition, sharp lugs
Dial Condition: Great condition, one slide damage between 10 and 11
Bracelet: Original Tudor Stainless steel bracelet 
Movement: Automatic Winding ETA 2834

The small rose, the smooth bezel, the silver dial – it’s all there. It’s the perfect storm of rarity, refinement and versatility.

Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, took over the Tudor trademarks to form the company Montres Tudor in 1946. Hans Wilsdorf creating an affordable product for the mass market.

In 1952, Tudor launched the Oyster Prince line, using Rolex’s proprietary automatic rotor. The Early Series Tudor Ranger is essentially a configuration of the Oyster and Oyster Prince lines.