A stainless steel backed, pink gold plated Tudor Centregraph manual wind model. This very early Tudor comes from the pioneering and exciting days of both Tudor, and its parent brand; Rolex. This smaller "boy's size" cased Tudor features the iconic font style, along with the early, very small Tudor Rose logo. The dial and hand set on this watch are very special, and mark a very early Tudor model that was made for the Canadian market.

The Tudor name was first registered in 1926, although the brand did not become a formally independent company until 1946. During the intervening years, Tudor watches were produced in relatively modest numbers, often using Rolex-associated Oyster cases fitted with dependable Swiss movements from established manufacturers. These early watches were particularly important in markets such as Canada, where Tudor and Oyster-branded watches were sold under a variety of names during the 1930s and 1940s.

The Centregraph was among these early models, with surviving examples associated with references 978, such as this, and 3478. Its name referred to the centrally mounted sweeping seconds hand, rather than the subsidiary seconds dial more commonly found on wristwatches of the period. This arrangement offered a more immediate and legible indication of passing seconds, particularly useful when precise observation of time was important.

The Centregraph is especially interesting for its association with the Canadian market and the complicated relationship between Rolex, Tudor and Oyster branding during the years surrounding the Second World War. Watches from this period can carry different signatures despite sharing closely related cases and movements. The Centregraph name itself was also used by Rolex on a much rarer, technically different single-button chronograph, which should not be confused with this more conventional Tudor Centregraph.

Many of these early Tudor and Oyster watches were fitted with the manually wound calibre 59, a movement derived from the Fontainemelon FHF 30 family. This reflected Wilsdorf’s original philosophy for Tudor: to combine proven Swiss movements with the practical qualities and engineering associated with Rolex

The beautiful and all original dial featuring the small Tudor rose, this time in a shield, something that Tudor would again revert back to not until 1969, so it is fascinating to see it in such an early watch. The Arabic numbered dial is all original, and filled with its original Radium luminous material that has not flaked away or fallen off, which is quite often the case. The outer edge of the dial features a beautiful enclosed minute track that has printed Arabic numbers applied in five second intervals. This along with the red sweep hand would aid accurate timing, and features often seen in early doctors's watches. The dial is stamped Swiss Made at the base of the dial, above the minute track and is made in the same factory as the Rolex dials from this period, as they share the same font. The dial itself is in perfect condition, having toned in magnificently over time. There is, what is known as, 'radium burn, on the dial where the hands have sat on one place for too long and created a shadow-like appearance on the dial where they sat.

The watch is powered by the seventeen jewel, manually wound, caliber 59. The calibre 59 is based on the Fontainemelon FHF 30 family of manual-wind movements, a widely used Swiss ébauche in the mid-20th century. The base FHF 30 was a 10½-ligne movement with a traditional Swiss straight-line lever escapement, running at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz) and offering a roughly 40-hour power reserve. Movements with the sub-seconds display were sometimes designated FHF 30, while centre-seconds versions were referred to as FHF 30-1. In Tudor watches, these movements were signed or engraved as calibre 59, and versions with sweep centre seconds were known as calibre 59 SC, like the one featured in this watch. The modifications from the base ébauche were generally cosmetic (Tudor signing on the train bridge) and sometimes included a higher jewel count and anti-shock systems. These were workhorse movements that were fairly rudimentary, but mark an important early part of Tudor's history.

This watch is a wonderful part of the Tudor, and to some degree Rolex evolutionary tale. The rose gold plated case and steel back is a common production feature from this time, as there was a need to produce watches that gave the appearance of gold, without being solid gold, and also not needing to gold plate elements that were not to be seen once on the wrist. This was still very early days after the ravages of World War Two. This is also a very early watch that was made for the Canadian market, then a large importer of Tudor watches, and where a lot of unusual and rare Tudor watches can be found. The case was made by Pioneer watch company, so not even Rolex. Making this one of the very first Tudor watches ever made, before the switch over to the Rolex made cases in all size formats. Few other Tudor watches from this time have been found bearing this early case making combination.

Overall, a stunning looking vintage watch. The case is seemingly unpolished, and in superb condition. The screw back steel case is also in excellent condition with the serial number clear and unpolished, and closes tightly. This is a significant and very early, rare piece of both Rolex and Tudor history.

There is no original paperwork with the watch, and there is no Tudor box present. The watch has undergone a thorough and extensive service. The watch will be accompanied by a Foundwell one year warranty.