Tudor Turns 100: The Rs 1.5 Lakh Vintage Prince Oysterdate in India
Tudor's centenary year has pushed the revived Monarch and Northflag to roughly Rs 5 lakh and above in India, while a vintage Tudor Prince Oysterdate from the 1960s to 1980s costs about a third of that. The vintage watch is built on a Rolex-made Oyster case, crown and bracelet, so the hardware you are buying is Rolex hardware at a Tudor price.
If you are in India and the Tudor anniversary has you looking, this is the cheapest honest way into the story. Here is what Tudor did in 2026, what the vintage alternative really is, and what to check before you pay.
What Tudor launched for its 100th year
Tudor marks 2026 as its centenary. Hans Wilsdorf registered the Tudor name in 1926, and the company itself was incorporated in 1946. The brand has spent the year leaning on that history.
At Watches and Wonders in April, two names came back. The Monarch returned as a 39mm faceted steel watch with a papyrus-toned dial and mixed Roman and Arabic numerals, priced at CHF 4,800. The Northflag returned with a GMT function, the power reserve indicator removed and about 65 hours of reserve, at a US list price of about $5,525. Tudor also showed a Black Bay Chrono 39 Yellow at $6,725.
Both revivals sit at roughly Rs 5 lakh or more once you convert and add Indian duty and tax. Tudor says it held its 2026 price rises to 4 to 8 percent. Rolex, by comparison, raised US prices about 7 percent and UK prices about 5 percent in January, according to price tracking by the trade press, and Audemars Piguet also moved up. Gold models rose most: the gold Black Bay 58 went from $36,500 to $39,400.
One more number matters if you ever plan to resell. Pre-owned modern Tudor generally trades at 60 to 75 percent of list. That is the cost of buying new, and it is the main reason vintage keeps making sense.
Why the vintage Prince Oysterdate is the sharper buy
From the 1960s into the 1980s, Tudor sold the Prince Oysterdate as the affordable sibling of Rolex. Wilsdorf's idea was simple: build the watch in Rolex's own Oyster case, fit a Rolex crown and often a Rolex bracelet, then drop in a reliable off-the-shelf movement from ETA instead of a Rolex calibre.
That is why the watch occupies such a good spot. You get the waterproof Oyster case, the screw-down crown and the proper steel bracelet that Rolex made for itself, with a movement any competent watchmaker in India can service without sending anything abroad. We covered the wider argument in our post on why vintage Tudor is undervalued, and the centenary only sharpens it.
Then there is the halo effect. When a brand marks an anniversary, collectors look back at its old catalogue. We saw the same pattern when Universal Geneve relaunched in April, and dealers reported more interest in vintage UG afterwards. A centenary year is exactly when people ask what the originals cost, and the answer for Tudor is pleasantly low.
The India price reality
Abroad, vintage Prince Oysterdate asking prices run roughly $2,500 to $3,250. In India, from what we see as dealers, honest examples sit around Rs 1.2 to 1.8 lakh, including import duty and a service. Treat that as a dealer observation, not a published index. Condition, dial originality and bracelet completeness move the number more than the year does.
Set that against the new watches. A Monarch or Northflag at Rs 5 lakh plus buys you a modern movement and a warranty from an authorised dealer. A vintage Prince Oysterdate at a third of that buys you a 34mm piece of history with Rolex-made hardware. They are different purchases, and for many Indian collectors the second one is the better first step.
| Watch | Size | Movement | Case maker | Approx. India price | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tudor Monarch (2026) | 39mm | Modern Tudor automatic | Tudor | Rs 5 lakh plus | New, faceted steel case, papyrus dial, retail warranty |
| Tudor Northflag GMT (2026) | Modern sports size | In-house, about 65 hours reserve | Tudor | About Rs 5 lakh plus | New GMT, modern spec, retail warranty |
| Vintage Prince Oysterdate (1960s to 1980s) | 34mm | ETA based automatic (2784 / 2824 family) | Rolex Oyster case and crown | Rs 1.2 to 1.8 lakh (dealer observation) | Rolex-made hardware, serviceable movement, true vintage proportions |
The 34mm question
The vintage Prince Oysterdate is a 34mm watch, which reads as small next to the new 39mm Monarch. It wears better than the number suggests, because the case is slim and the lugs sit close to the wrist. If you have worn 40mm and above, try one before you decide. Our vintage watch size guide explains why 34mm has become the new default for collectors who want a watch that disappears under a cuff.
If you are comparing it with its parent, the same reasoning applies to Rolex. Our breakdown of Datejust vs Day-Date vs Oyster Perpetual shows how the same Oyster case family spans a wide price range.
What to check before you buy
- Rolex-signed crown. The crown should carry the Rolex coronet, and a Tudor-branded or unsigned crown on a Rolex-case watch is a flag. Look for the Rolex signature on the caseback of the case as well.
- Logo by era. Early dials carry the Tudor rose, and later ones switched to the shield. The logo should match the dial style and the period of the case, so ask the seller to explain the combination.
- Movement family. Look for the ETA 2784 or 2824 family calibres. They are robust, and parts are available in India.
- Service history. Ask when the watch was last serviced and by whom. A recent service is part of the value, not an extra.
- Redials. Redialled examples are common on Tudor. Compare the print, lume and the dial edge, and read our guide on spotting a refinished dial before you commit.
The Prince Oysterdate also has a place in a wider Rolex-adjacent search. We currently list a vintage Tudor Prince Oysterdate 34 in the band described above, and if the Rolex name is the draw, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 sits in the Rs 3 lakh range. Further up, the Oyster Perpetual Date lives above Rs 5 lakh, and the Oyster Perpetual Lady is a smaller, collectible option around Rs 2.5 lakh. Every ReWrist watch is serviced and covered by our warranty.
Where this leaves a buyer in November
The new Monarch and Northflag are good watches, and the centenary story is genuine. But they cost five lakh and above, and a pre-owned modern Tudor typically gives back a quarter or more of that on resale. The vintage route reverses the maths: you pay once for a watch that has already taken its depreciation.
The honest caveat is that vintage needs diligence. A Prince Oysterdate with a refinished dial or a mismatched crown is not a bargain at any price. Buy from a dealer who services what they sell and will show you the case, crown and movement clearly.
FAQ
How much does a vintage Tudor Prince Oysterdate cost in India?
In our experience honest examples sit around Rs 1.2 to 1.8 lakh including import duty and service, though this is a dealer observation, not a published index. Abroad, asking prices run roughly $2,500 to $3,250.
Does a vintage Tudor Prince Oysterdate use a Rolex case?
Yes. Prince Oysterdate watches from the 1960s to the 1980s use a Rolex Oyster case and Rolex crown, often with a Rolex bracelet, paired with an ETA movement such as the 2784 or 2824 family.
What size is a vintage Tudor Prince Oysterdate?
It is 34mm. That is smaller than the 39mm revived Monarch, but it wears comfortably, as explained in our vintage watch size guide.
How much do the new Tudor Monarch and Northflag cost?
The Monarch launched at CHF 4,800 and the Northflag GMT at a US list of about $5,525. In India both land at roughly Rs 5 lakh or more once duty and tax are added.
What should I check on a vintage Tudor before buying?
Check for a Rolex-signed crown, the correct Tudor rose or shield logo for the era, an ETA 2784 or 2824 family movement, a documented service, and signs of a redial.
If the centenary has you curious, start with our Tudor collection and compare it with the Rolex collection. Browse the 1960s and 1970s watches for period pieces, and read the complete guide to buying vintage watches in India before you spend. Message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.