Tudor 79280 Question

[Watchflair]

Been doing a lot of research on Tudor Chronographs over the past month or so. There's much less information out there compared to Rolex - for obvious reasons.

Recently acquired a 79280 from 1997. Watch has a Rolex Crown and Caseback. Bracelet was replaced during service with a Tudor fliplock oyster bracelet.

So are all 79280's small blocks? Could some of the earlier one's be big blocks? I've been trying to distinguish between the two and can't figure out what mine is... It doesn't have the polished and more rounded lugs like I see on what I identify as a small block.

[Watchflair]

Another shot:

[Richard Carver]

Interesting, the P stands for polished lugs as I understand it and it originally came on a strap.

This is my Tiger 79280P from 1998 I believe. It has a Tudor case back and crown. Does yours have 2 springbar holes per lug?

[Watchflair]

Originally Posted by Richard Carver

Interesting, the P stands for polished lugs as I understand it and it originally came on a strap.

This is my Tiger 79280P from 1998 I believe. It has a Tudor case back and crown. Does yours have 2 springbar holes per lug?

My apologies - it's not a P just a 79280. I would have to double check but I believe it just has the one springbar area. It does have the Rolex case back and crown.

[Richard Carver]

OK, that makes sense, you will have only 1 hole per lug. The P requires 2 to fit the end pieces for use with a strap and another set of holes to fit a bracelet.

[rootbeer7]

the big block covers serial 94xxx and 791xx only. These cases are deeper than the later 792xx series. Early 792xx still has Rolex markings, but are not Big Blocks. Here's an image of my Big Block from the side. Compare yours and you'll see the difference

[NKflyer]

The 942xx, 94300, and 791xx are big blocks. All of the 792xx series, no matter how early, have the curved case and therefore are not big blocks. From the front, the big & small look nearly identical but the profiles are much different when viewed from the side.

[Watchflair]

Thanks for the info. Seeing the difference now. From the top down perspective it was not easy to tell. The side profile definitely distinguishes the two.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by NKflyer

The 942xx, 94300, and 791xx are big blocks. All of the 792xx series, no matter how early, have the curved case and therefore are not big blocks. From the front, the big & small look nearly identical but the profiles are much different when viewed from the side.

This. Plus Big Blocks will have an acrylic crystal while the later 792x0 will have sapphire.

OP that's a very nice example btw

[splev]

Going to need a movement service in the upcoming months. Can anyone provide a rough estimate of the cost to service and any recommendations of service centers?

My 79280 has the Valjioux 7750.

[jhondo]

I had Nesbits (Seattle)perform an overhaul on my 79170 earlier this year and they had access to all factory parts. Service on these chronos should be about 750. I would use them again.