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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Tudor Oyster, ref. 7902, Manual Wind, circa 1950s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Tudor (maker)
Date
c. 1950s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 29 mm
Stock no.
vws4278cs
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws4278cs)
Catalogue title (original)
Tudor Oyster - Model Reference 7902 - Manual Wind - c.1950s (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws4278cs), this is a wristwatch by Tudor, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1950s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 29 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

What's on Offer This attractive Tudor Oyster Ref. 7902 dates from the 1950s and represents the understated elegance that made Tudor such a respected name during the post-war era. Housed in a stainless steel Oyster case measuring 29mm, the watch offers classic proportions and timeless styling that remain highly wearable today. The white dial features applied arrowhead hour markers, a prominent Arabic numeral at 12 o'clock and elegant hands. The clean, uncluttered layout is complemented by the desirable "Shock-Resisting" text above 6 o'clock, a detail often found on Tudor watches from this period. Together, these elements create a refined dress watch aesthetic that perfectly captures mid-century Swiss watchmaking. Powering the watch is the automatic Tudor calibre 1182 movement with 17 jewels and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. The self-winding movement provides everyday practicality while maintaining the charm and engineering expected from a vintage Tudor. The watch is presented on classic leather strap which perfectly complements the classic silver-toned dial and polished steel case. Presented in very good vintage condition, this Tudor Oyster retains excellent character throughout. The dial displays an attractive aged appearance with even patination that enhances its period charm. The stainless steel Oyster case remains strong with well-defined lines and shows honest signs of wear consistent with age and use. The crystal remains clear and the watch presents exceptionally well on the wrist. Overall, this is a highly appealing example of a 1950s Tudor Oyster that balances originality, condition and everyday wearability.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Dive and water-resistant watches

Keeping water and dust out of a wristwatch was a long-standing challenge. Rolex's screw-down Oyster case (1926) and Omega's Marine (1932) were landmarks; in the early 1950s Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and Rolex's Submariner defined the professional dive watch with rotating bezels for timing dives, luminous dials and high water resistance. The ISO 6425 standard (1982) later codified what a 'diver's watch' must do.

Dive watches became icons of post-war design and exploration, and their evolution — helium escape valves, ceramic bezels, saturation-diving depth ratings — records the history of underwater work.

What to look for

  • Unidirectional or bidirectional rotating bezel with minute markings.
  • Screw-down crown and case back; depth rating printed on the dial.
  • Luminous hands and markers (radium before c. 1960, tritium c. 1960–1998, then Super-LumiNova).
  • Reference numbers on the case between the lugs or inside the back.

Dating clues

  • Screw-down Oyster cases: from 1926.
  • Professional dive watches: from 1953.
  • Tritium 'T' marks on dials: c. 1960–1998.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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