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The French Navy, La Marine Nationale, has a long lasting history of using the Tudor and Rolex submariner models. Indeed, the M.N. official diving equipment supplier, La Spirotechnique, signed a succession of commercial contracts with the Swiss watchmaker from the late 60's till the mid 80's. The Tudor submariners were supplied to the French Navy's picked divers such as the Clearance Divers (Plongeurs Démineurs), the Combat Divers (Commandos Marine), and a few selected Ship Divers (Plongeurs de Bord). Being a Ship Diver was then a part-time activity or secondary duty for sailors onboard. In addition to the elite personnel mentioned above, a handful of Combat Diver officers serving in the C.I.N.C. (secret service operational team based on the outer island of Cosica in the Mediterranean sea) were equipped with the famous Rolex submariner 5513.

TUDOR Submariner

French Navy 'Marine Nationale'

Ref. 94010 MN78

Cal. Eta 2824-2

Hacking rotor automatic movement

25j.-28.800 A/h

Power reserve 38h.

Water-resistant to 200m.

Matt blue dial

Square/diamond type handset

Buble type case back

This very well built and reliable official chronographer were to be used in the most difficult weather conditions. In the early 80's the Tudor submariners were slowly replaced by cheaper maintenance watches as the Ministry of Defense was undergoing a severe budget cut. The 1989 Rainbow Warrior scandal led to the relocation of the C.I.N.C.(renamed C.P.E.O.M.) and the S.D.E.C.E.(renamed D.G.S.E.) and a new contract with Tudor S.A. was not to be renewed.