Tudor Submariner Reference 7016/0 & 7021/0
It has been discussed for years why the Reference 7016 &
7021 Submariners were introduced. First seen around 1968 (verfiable) they
feature a long list of changes compared to the Reference 7928. First of all
there are two of them. :-) The 7016 features a non-date layout while the 7021
features a layout with a Date mechanism. If we look at the Rolex world, this
co-incides with the realease of the 1680 - the Rolex Submariner with a date.
So, this "explains" why the 7021 was introduced. By why add the 7016
?
The reason is most likely movements. The 7928 featured the
cal. 390 automatic movement, bought from Fleurier (FEF). During the 60's almost
all Tudor models disbanded the various movement manufactureres and went pure
ETA. (Exception of course being the Tudor Advisor with the proprietary alarm
clock movement). The Cal 390. was first seen in early Tudor automatics (most
famous the Tudor Oyster 34) from 1951-52 - so realistically the movement has
seen at least 16 years of service. And the base is even older. The combination
of a pure ETA movement strategy (well, untill the Chronos were introduced 2
years later) and the fact that training and mechanical service would be much
easier when the date and non-date Submariners used the same base - resulted in
the death of the 7928.
To add to the complexity - both versions came with the
choice of dial color. Either blue or black. Case dimensions and overall design
was more or less identical to the 7928. Interestingly enough, the very first
7016 featured the same dial layout as the 7928. (Rose dial with the 4 lines on
the bottom half of the dial). These (in the examples I have seen) feature a
semi-pointed crownguard case. And most likely not produced for very long.
Subsequently the dial layout changed to the classic "Snowflake"
design with square markers and square hands.
7016/0. Right hand side features the semi-pointed
crownguards and 7928 style dial. Watch to the left features the rounded guards
and "snowflake" layout. Photo by JohnB
It has not been possible to determine exactly for how long
the "transitional" 7016 was produced. But the versions we have seen
are all 68-69 dated casebacks. As many collectors certainly have experienced,
there was a issue with the 7016 and 7021. The paint/laquer used on the dials -
on the early versions - decayed at a rapid rate. In general Tudor dials are
often quite bad - usually due to water ingress or bad maintenance. (They were
often not "babied" as their Rolex sisters). However the decay of the
7016 & 7021 dials was extreme. The dial rot often showed itself as bubbles
under the surface, starting around the centre of the dial. It's quite easy to
see the difference between dial rot and water ingress. The tritium markers
themselves are often quite nice on rotted dials - as its only the lacquer that
disintegrates.
MK1 case on top. MK II case below. Photo by JohnB.
In the past, collectors have speculated that the black dial
versions were "disbanded" and the blue color versions were introduced
instead, as they had better dials. This is incorrect. We have seen 7021's as
early as mid 1968 with pale blue dials, with classic dial rot and a nice
roulette style date wheel. 100% original, 1 owner piece. So, more than likely,
the black and blue dials co-existed - and were both prone to rot.
Technically the 7016 features a ETA Cal. 2483. It's a 25
jewel movement (as opposed to the 17j cal. 390 in the older Reference 7928). In
the Tudor / Rolex technical service manuals it is designated as 2461-2483. In
the past this covers an internal and an external reference number.
The 7021 features the cal. 2484. Main difference is of
course the date feature.
It should be noted that in Rolex documentation the
references are other denoted as 7016 or 7016/0 - and 7021 or 7021/0. The
addition of the /0 was a common reference changed, started by Rolex and Tudor
in the middle of the 60's. However, there seems to be no system as to when the
different references changed from the classic 4 digits to the 4+/0 digit
system. The /0 of course describes the case material as stainless steel (as it
does in Rolex models). In my experience all 7016 and 21 series watches have the
/0. If anyone has seen one without the /, please email me a scan. :)
The 7016 and 7021 ended production circa 1975 when the 9401
and 9411 models were introduced in their place. In our findings it seems that
the serial # range for these watches are:
620.000 serial till 780.000 serial. (1968-1975).
* Should be noted that Military issued MN 7016's have been
seen with serials up in the 820.000' range. Which is nearly a year later than
9401/11 introduction. Most likely due to either Rolex selling old cases off to
DOD customers, or more likely a specific order from the MN, requesting 7016.
We are still working on figuring out which Rolex dial
produceres were making the dials for the 70xx series Submariners. We have seen
dial rot in models up to and including 1975. Since 7016 and 7021's with GOOD
dials have been spotted in the collectors community, it would indicate that
they are either service dials, or that some of the dials produced in the 7 year
window, actually did not develop dial rot. More details about this at a later
point.