Tudor - Prince Oysterdate - 90500 - Men - 1970-1979

Tudor Prince Oysterdate 90500 – 34 mm – automatic – blue dial – date – Rolex Oyster case – vintage

The Tudor Prince Oysterdate 90500 is a classic vintage automatic Tudor with the recognizable Oyster construction from the period when Tudor widely used Rolex case components. This example combines a 34 mm stainless steel case with a deep blue dial, applied hour markers, date display with cyclops magnifier, and a stainless Oyster-style bracelet.

The blue dial bears the Tudor shield at 12 o’clock and the inscriptions “TUDOR PRINCE OYSTERDATE” and “ROTOR SELF-WINDING.” The screwed-down crown is fitted with the Rolex crown logo, and on the back there is the classic text “ORIGINAL OYSTER CASE BY ROLEX GENEVA.”

The watch is in worn vintage condition. The case, bracelet, clasp, dial, and the plexiglass show signs of use and aging consistent with a watch from this period.

──────────────────

Basic information

Brand: Tudor
Model: Prince Oysterdate
Reference: 90500
Type: men's/unisex wristwatch
Movement: automatic mechanical
Caliber: Tudor/ETA 2784
Case material: stainless steel
Diameter: 34 mm, excluding crown
Dial: blue
Glass: plexiglass
Date: at 3 o’clock
Date magnifier: cyclops
Bracelet: stainless steel Oyster-style bracelet
Clasp: folding clasp
Crown: screwed Rolex Oyster crown
Case back: screwed Oyster case back
Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour

──────────────────

Important details

• Classic Tudor Prince Oysterdate from the vintage Oyster period
• Reference 90500
• 34 mm stainless steel case
• Deep blue dial
• Applied Tudor shield at 12 o’clock
• Applied baton hour markers
• Central seconds hand
• Automatic mechanical movement
• Date window at 3 o’clock
• Cyclops magnifier above the date
• Screwed crown with Rolex crown logo
• Back case marked “ORIGINAL OYSTER CASE BY ROLEX GENEVA”
• Stainless Oyster-style bracelet
• Clasp with Rolex crown logo
• Vintage plexiglass

──────────────────

Estimated year of manufacture

Estimated year of manufacture: circa late 1970s / around 1980.

The Tudor Prince Oysterdate reference 90500 belongs to a generation mainly known from the 1970s and around 1980. Without a clearly readable serial number or original documentation, an exact production year cannot be assigned.

──────────────────

Case

The classic Oyster case is made of stainless steel and has a diameter of 34 mm excluding the crown.

The case has the characteristic proportions of vintage Tudor and Rolex Oyster models: a relatively slim round middle case, flowing lugs, and a smooth polished bezel.

The polished surfaces show signs of wear and fine scratches. Also around the lugs and sides there are traces from years of wear. The case nevertheless retains a neat and attractive vintage appearance.

Diameter: 34 mm
Material: stainless steel
Bezel: smooth, polished
Construction: Oyster-style case
Case back: screwed
Crown: screwed

Given the age of the watch, no guarantee is given on the original water resistance. A pressure test is recommended before the watch comes into contact with water.

──────────────────

Dial

One of the most striking features of this specimen is the deep blue dial.

The color varies depending on light from dark navy blue to a clearly brighter blue shade. Around the outer edge there is a fine white minute/second scale.

At 12 o’clock is an applied Tudor shield. Below it read:

TUDOR
PRINCE OYSTERDATE

Above 6 o’clock reads:

ROTOR
SELF-WINDING

At the bottom is the Swiss designation.

The hours are indicated by applied baton indices. The indices have a warm gold/cream tone and the luminous elements show clear aging.

Also the hands are equipped with luminous material. The lume has developed vintage discoloration over the years.

On the dial there are scattered light signs of age and wear. These are mainly visible up close and suit the watch’s vintage character.

──────────────────

Date

At 3 o’clock is the date display.

Above the date window is a characteristic cyclops magnifier in the plexiglass, which greatly enlarges the date numeral.

This is one of the most recognizable features of the classic Oysterdate version.

──────────────────

Movement

The watch is equipped with an automatic mechanical movement from the Tudor Prince Oysterdate series.

Caliber: Tudor/ETA 2784
Winding: automatic
Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
Functions: hours, minutes, central second and date

The ETA 2784 belongs to the automatic movements Tudor used in this generation of Prince Oysterdate models.

──────────────────

Timegrapher measurement

During the performed measurement the watch showed the following values:

Rate deviation: +45 seconds per day
Amplitude: 261°
Beat error: 0.1 ms
Lift angle: 52.0°
Frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour

The amplitude and beat error are reasonably to good at this measurement, but the rate deviation of around +45 seconds per day is clearly on the high side. For a buyer seeking a more precise daily rate, regulation and possibly technical maintenance are recommended.

A timegrapher measurement is always a snapshot in one position and does not constitute a guarantee of future accuracy or the technical state of the movement.

──────────────────

Glas (Crystal)

The watch is fitted with a domed plexiglass with cyclops above the date.

The plexiglass shows signs of wear, including light scratches and faint markings. Due to its domed profile, the watch gains the characteristic vintage Oyster model look.

Plexiglass can typically be relatively easily re-polished when a smoother appearance is desired.

──────────────────

Crown

The screwed crown is fitted with the Rolex crown logo.

This detail fits the period in which Tudor used Rolex Oyster case components for several Prince Oysterdate models.

The crown has a knurled outer edge for grip when operating and screwing down.

──────────────────

Back

The stainless back is screwed and bears around the characteristic engraving:

ORIGINAL OYSTER CASE BY ROLEX GENEVA

This marking is an interesting historical detail and emphasizes the close technical relationship between Tudor and Rolex for this generation of watches.

The case back shows clear superficial scratches and signs of wear, appropriate to the watch’s age and use.

──────────────────

Bracelet and clasp

The watch is supplied on a stainless steel Oyster-style bracelet with three links.

The clasp is a classic stainless folding clasp and bears the Rolex crown logo. Inside there are also Rolex markings.

The bracelet and clasp show normal to clear signs of wear, including light scratches and wear of the brushed and polished surfaces.

The current configuration fits a wrist of approximately 19–20 cm.

With a vintage bracelet there may be some play and stretch between the links due to long-term use.

──────────────────

Condition

Case: worn vintage condition with scratches and signs of use
Bezel: light to normal signs of wear
Dial: attractive blue with visible aging/usage marks
Indices: vintage discoloration/patina present
Hands: aging signs and discoloration of the luminous material
Crystal: signs of wear and fine scratches
Crown: Rolex-marked, with signs of use
Back: clear superficial scratches
Bracelet: worn condition with signs of use
Clasp: signs of use and fine scratches
Movement: functioning during the measurement
Timekeeping: approx. +45 seconds per day

──────────────────

Overall condition

A characterful vintage Tudor Prince Oysterdate 90500 in 34 mm, with an attractive deep blue dial and the characteristic Oyster details from this period.

The combination of the Tudor shield, the blue dial, the domed plexiglass with cyclops, the Rolex-signed crown and clasp, and the back case with “ORIGINAL OYSTER CASE BY ROLEX GENEVA” gives this watch the classic look for which older Tudor Prince models are known.

The watch is clearly worn and has not hidden its age: there are scratches, signs of aging and patina. The measured rate deviation of +45 seconds per day is also a point of attention, and regulation or maintenance may be desired. It is offered as an authentically looking vintage usable watch with visible character, rather than as a cosmetically new specimen.