
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Tudor Submariner MN 76 Snowflake Blue Dial Marine Nationale ref. 9401/0, 1976
- Maker / attribution
- Tudor (maker)
- Date
- 1976
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 40 mm
- Stock no.
- W-3500
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3500)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Tudor Submariner MN 76 Snowflake Blue Dial Marine Nationale ref. 9401/0 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-3500), this is a wristwatch by Tudor, made in Switzerland, dated 1976. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 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 — Bulang & Sons
The Tudor Submariner has long been celebrated as a robust and reliable dive watch, with a history closely tied to professional military use. Among the most sought-after variants is the Tudor Submariner “Marine Nationale,” created specifically for the French Navy. There’s no watch that excites us more here at Bulang & Sons than a Marine Nationale-issued Tudor Submariner! On offer is a classic blue “Snowflake” Submariner, reference 9401, in well-worn but charming condition—the way we love them. This watch comes from a verified batch of MN-issued Tudors, with a serial number that perfectly aligns with other watches supplied to the French Naval Defence forces. Our example is an “MN 76,” issued in 1976. Over time, the lume on the hour markers and the iconic Snowflake hands has developed a beautiful creamy, light-yellow patina, providing a striking contrast to the deep blue dial. The watch is paired with a Bulang & Sons single-pass strap, giving it the secure feel and authentic look that a true issued dive watch deserves. Furthermore, this military watch features a lovely, slightly faded blue bezel insert without any major defects or cracks. It has been fully serviced by our watchmaker and is ready for new adventures. We are happy to help collectors acquire these grail Tudors, and we have a long and strong track record in doing so. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of naval history—this Tudor Marine Nationale is ready for your collection. Saisissez cette opportunité and make this iconic “Snowflake” Submariner yours today! Specifications: Tudor no- date Submariner Reference 9411 /0 “M.N 76” Issued to the French Marine Nationale Military issued case back engravings “M.N 76” Serial 846xxx dating to 1976 Correct serial for the Marine Nationale issued watches 40mm steel case Blue dial with snowflake hands Slightly faded blue bezel Comes on the pictured single pass strap Fully serviced by our watchmaker
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
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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