
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Tudor Prince Oysterdate (Ref. 7966/0) White "Railroad" Dial, 1968
- Maker / attribution
- Tudor (maker)
- Date
- 1968
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Stock no.
- TDR79960-3
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (TDR79960-3)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1968 Tudor Prince Oysterdate (Ref. 7966/0) White "Railroad" Dial (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number TDR79960-3), this is a pocket watch by Tudor, made in Switzerland, dated 1968. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Pocket Watches collection. 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 — Craft & Tailored
The relationship between Rolex SA and Tudor traces back to 1926, when Hans Wilsdorf set out to create a more accessible alternative to Rolex without compromising on quality. Tudor would go on to produce watches alongside Rolex for decades, pairing robust, reliable Swiss movements with Rolex-manufactured cases and construction standards. While the two brands share clear DNA, Tudor consistently carved out its own identity through distinct and often more experimental designs. This 1968 Tudor Prince Oysterdate ref. 7966/0 stands as a compelling example of that individuality. Featuring the rarely encountered white “railroad” dial, this configuration draws inspiration from early “RR Standard” timekeeping formats, design principles most commonly associated with historic railroad watches and brands such as Ball Watch Company. The dial’s segmented minute track and highly legible layout were originally conceived for precision and clarity, resulting in a design that feels both purposeful and visually striking. SPECS Stock # TDR79960-3 Brand Tudor Style Oyster-Prince Date Model 7996/0 Serial 63XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte White "Railroad" Millimeters 34 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The impressive case retains very thick, crisp, and even lugs that exhibit light signs of use, with no notable evidence of prior polishing present. The smooth stainless steel bezel is in crisp condition as well, with gentle wear shown. The case retains its original Rolex-signed twin-lock crown. The case back retains all of its original factory engravings in crisp and deep condition. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original, highly legible, and uncommon matte white "railroad" dial, featuring bold black numerals with a subsequent red 24-hour scale, is in simply wonderful vintage condition. Exhibiting some spots from age around the outer edges of the dial, though without any damage marks or scratches present. The original tritium lume plots and lume filled hands all remain intact, with no degradation present under UV light inspection, and feature a matching eggshell patina. The black hands are original to the watch as well. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
After 1945 the pocket watch became a niche product — presentation and railway watches, inexpensive pin-lever watches, and commemorative pieces — while most innovation moved to the wrist.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Railroad and railway watches
Timetables made accurate timekeeping a matter of safety. After a fatal collision at Kipton, Ohio, in 1891, American railroads adopted strict standards: open-face watches, lever setting, at least 17 jewels, adjustment to temperature and five positions, and a performance within 30 seconds a week, inspected regularly by approved watch inspectors. Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton, Illinois and Ball made railroad-grade watches in large numbers.
European railways issued service watches to guards, drivers and station staff, often engraved with the railway's initials and a staff number. Such watches link industrial timekeeping with the standardisation of time zones (Greenwich Mean Time adopted by British railways in 1847; North American standard time in 1883).
What to look for
- Open-face cases with the crown at 12 and lever setting under the bezel.
- Montgomery dials with every minute numbered, or bold Arabic numerals.
- 'Railroad grade', '21 Jewels', 'Adjusted 5 positions' on the movement.
- Railway initials and issue numbers engraved on the case back.
Dating clues
- American railroad standards: from 1891–93, revised c. 1908.
- Serial numbers of American makers allow dating to within a year.
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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