
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Tudor Submariner Gilt Chapter Ring Dial - Purple Bezel (Ref. 7928), 1965
- Maker / attribution
- Tudor (maker)
- Date
- 1965
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 39 mm
- Stock no.
- Product 8675049210039
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Huntington Company (product 8675049210039)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1965 Tudor Submariner Gilt Chapter Ring Dial - Purple Bezel (Ref. 7928) (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Huntington Company (dealer) (stock number Product 8675049210039), this is a wristwatch by Tudor, made in Switzerland, dated 1965. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 39 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 — Huntington Company
History and Significance Among vintage Tudor Submariners, few references have developed the following of the reference 7928. Produced during one of the brand's most exciting periods, it combines Rolex manufactured components with Tudor's own identity, creating one of the most charismatic dive watches of the era. This 1965 example checks nearly every box collectors hope to find. The original chapter ring gilt dial features silver text, beautifully preserved tritium lume, and matching original hands with the desirable large lollipop seconds hand. The gloss dial has aged into a remarkable finish that catches the light with an almost crystalline appearance, adding another layer of character to an already exceptional watch. The original bezel insert has faded into an attractive purple hue, while the case appears to remain unpolished, retaining strong chamfers and sharp proportions throughout. Completing the package is its original Rolex signed crown, exactly as collectors expect to see on an honest example from this period. Finding a reference 7928 with this level of originality has become increasingly difficult, making this one an exceptional opportunity for the serious vintage Tudor enthusiast. Writer’s Thoughts Every once in a while, a vintage watch immediately grabs your attention before you've even had the chance to study the details. This was one of those watches. The combination of the untouched case, the gorgeous, faded bezel, and the incredibly honest gilt dial gives this watch a strong presence. Then you begin to notice the little things, like the matching lollipop seconds hand, the silver text, and the way the glossy dial reflects light. It just keeps getting better the longer you spend with it. Without question, this is one of the nicest reference 7928s we have handled. Our Promise Every watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity. Specifications Brand: Tudor Model: Submariner Reference: 7928 Year: 1965 Case Material: Stainless Steel Case Size: 39mm Dial: Original Chapter Ring Gilt Dial with Silver Text Movement: Tudor Automatic Strap/Bracelet: Brown Fabric Strap Buckle/Clasp: Stainless Steel Pin Buckle Contents: Watch only Condition Case: The case appears to remain unpolished, retaining thick lugs, strong chamfers, and excellent overall definition. Honest wear is present throughout, consistent with careful ownership over the past six decades. Dial: The original chapter ring gilt dial is exceptionally well-preserved, with a rich, glossy finish, crisp silver printing, beautifully aged tritium lume, and no damage or restoration. The patina is unique with a beautiful sparkle-like texture. Hands: The original handset remains in outstanding condition with the desirable large lollipop seconds hand and perfectly matching tritium lume across all hands. Crystal: The crystal displays light signs of wear consistent with age while remaining clear and highly presentable. Strap/Bracelet: The watch is fitted on a brown fabric strap that complements the warm vintage character of the watch. Buckle/Clasp: Stainless steel pin buckle in excellent condition.
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.
Related records
Wristwatches · c. 1973
Tudor Prince Oysterdate Ranger II, ref. 9101/1, c. 1973
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1973
Tudor Prince Oysterdate, ref. 9101/1, c. 1973 (Antiquorum Lot 389-114)
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1973
Tudor Prince Oysterdate, ref. 9101/1, c. 1973 (Antiquorum Lot 389-115)
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1974
Tudor Princess Oysterdate, ref. 9311/0, c. 1974
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1945
Wristwatch by Eterna, 1945
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Breitling Premier, ref. 790, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1945
Universal Genève Uni-Compax, ref. 22492, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1950s
Baume & Mercier wristwatch, c. 1950s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
