Brand: TUDOR

Model: Marine nationale MN 76 blue dial with military papers

Year: 1976

Reference: 9401/0

Case: Stainless steel

Movement: Automatic Tudor / ETA

Bracelet: NATO style MN

Buckle: MN

Diameter: 40mm

Accessories: Military papers, diver certificates, identification documents of the original owner

Price: 33.000€

A Tudor Submariner Marine Nationale MN76 represents one of the most historically significant military issued dive watches ever produced. Delivered to the French Navy (Marine Nationale), these watches were not commercial retail pieces but professional instruments issued to naval divers and mine clearance specialists. Each example was engraved on the caseback with its year of issue, making surviving pieces with clear engravings and documented provenance especially desirable among collectors.

This particular watch is engraved M.N.76 on the caseback and is accompanied by extensive documentation related to its original owner, a French Navy diver and explosives ordnance specialist. The archive includes military certificates and identification documents confirming his career within the naval diving and mine disposal units. Such complete historical provenance is rarely encountered and significantly enhances the historical importance of the watch.

The stainless steel case remains in very attractive condition with well preserved lugs and sharp geometry consistent with professional Tudor dive watches of the period. The caseback shows the original military engraving “M.N.76”, confirming delivery to the Marine Nationale in 1976. The reference 94010 and serial number are visible between the lugs, consistent with mid-1970s production.

The watch features the iconic blue dial, a configuration developed by Tudor to improve underwater legibility for military divers. The square luminous markers and characteristic snowflake hands remain extremely attractive and have developed a warm and even patina. The dial surface displays beautiful vintage character with fine speckled ageing typical of original blue Tudor dials from the period, giving the watch remarkable visual depth.

The blue bezel insert complements the dial perfectly and retains strong colour with honest signs of professional use. The domed acrylic crystal further reinforces the authentic vintage presence of the watch and contributes to its unmistakable tool watch character. The automatic Tudor movement remains clean and fully operational, reflecting the robustness required for professional military equipment. Tudor Submariners supplied to the French Navy were valued for their reliability, legibility and durability during demanding underwater missions.

A historically compelling Marine Nationale Submariner combining authentic military engraving, exceptional blue snowflake aesthetics and extensive provenance documentation related to the original naval diver. A rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of French naval diving history and one of the most sought-after vintage military tool watches.