Tudor Chronograph Knowledge

[johnjm]

Originally Posted by MinMay

Rolex did a fine job with this one... A Rolex chronograph with a date



The good thing is...not too many Big/Small Block with box and paper out in the wild.....it's a sleeper!

How much do you think? I’m selling mine on Chrono24 and it looks slow. I don’t think the price is too high either as it has box, papers, warranty card from service 2 years ago.


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[red1108nyc]

Love the big blocks.. one of the best.

[jaisonline]

My Tudor 79280p was serviced for it’s 20th birthday. It’s a H101 serial (est. 1998-1999). I’m the original owner.

I decided to go the NYC RSC route and am very pleased. They did a wonderful job despite the extra cost (I usually go w/ certified independents).

They did a movement service, replaced the triplock crown and replaced the 3 sub dial hands. Even for an anti-polisher like myself, I opted for it. The watch looks brand spanking new w/o any over-polishing.

It originally came with the T Swiss T silver tapestry dial (w/ silver outlines around inner white 3 sub dials).

When a NOS panda dial surfaced for $175 3 years ago I had it installed by now retired Vanessa. The silver dial was getting hard to read. I kept the red, hour, and min hands with the NOS dial but had to go with repro sub dial hands at the time :( The original dial and sub dial hands are stored away safely in the Tudor box.

After April 2019 service (interesting how a Rolex pouch was mailed w/ the watch instead of a Tudor logo one):


Original as purchased:

[startrolexendrolex]

Originally Posted by JimSnyder

The Tigers do not have Rolex wording on them. Case backs and crowns are Tudor; Jim

That's not true, some tigers has it on the crown.

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[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by startrolexendrolex

That's not true, some tigers has it on the crown.

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The only time I've ever heard of that is when a Tudor crown was replaced with a Rolex crown during service. Other than that never seen a Tiger with Rolex attributes. Not saying they don’t exist, just never seen an example.
dP

[MinMay]

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

Love the big blocks.. one of the best.

one sexy and beautiful panda. Put a Rolex crown on the dial and every Rolex fanboys would say "OMG so gorgeous"

[jaisonline]

I agree and have experienced the same logic. I don't see Tiger models with Rolex branded casebacks or crowns unless done through a service or parts switch with an indy.

When my 79280p was turned in for service and I was told a new crown was needed, I asked about the Rolex one that came with these watches.

It appears RSC changed some policies. Rolex RSC (at least NYC), won't put Rolex branded parts onto Tudor models unless the watch came like it originally. Their Tudor model database was updated so the phone and in-person support reps can't even select that. They need to escalate to mgt when a deviation is requested.

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

The only time I've ever heard of that is when a Tudor crown was replaced with a Rolex crown during service. Other than that never seen a Tiger with Rolex attributes. Not saying they don’t exist, just never seen an example.
dP

[sillo]

Originally Posted by startrolexendrolex

That's not true, some tigers has it on the crown.

I've never seen one either.

[I3lacklabel00]

Based on the prices these days, probably going to go for a 79180 and source a 79160 bezel. If anyone can provide any leads on a bezel, I would greatly appreciate it!

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[johnjm]

Originally Posted by I3lacklabel00

Based on the prices these days, probably going to go for a 79180 and source a 79160 bezel. If anyone can provide any leads on a bezel, I would greatly appreciate it!

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Send it to the service center and request it.


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[jaisonline]

Hi John,

Rolex no longer does this type of request. I tried during my March 2019 NY RSC visit and even called Dallas before hand. 3 years ago, they were doing this. Unlike GMT 16710s (diff inserts on same model #), they will only switch for what was offered on that 79xx0.

In my case, I couldn't get a 79270 rotating bezel on my 79280.

So I don't think I3lacklabel00 can send it to RSC for that request. maybe he'll get lucky...

Originally Posted by johnjm

Send it to the service center and request it.

Originally Posted by I3lacklabel00

Based on the prices these days, probably going to go for a 79180 and source a 79160 bezel. If anyone can provide any leads on a bezel, I would greatly appreciate it!

[johnjm]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

Hi John,

Rolex no longer does this type of request. I tried during my March 2019 NY RSC visit and even called Dallas before hand. 3 years ago, they were doing this. Unlike GMT 16710s (diff inserts on same model #), they will only switch for what was offered on that 79xx0.

In my case, I couldn't get a 79270 rotating bezel on my 79280.

So I don't think I3lacklabel00 can send it to RSC for that request. maybe he'll get lucky...

I think it depends on the RSC. Mine were open to changing anything that was era specific.

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[Watchdaytona]

A few very early Tigers did come with Rolex crown and caseback. I actually ordered a Tudor Tiger in 1999 when I heard about the release as I was a Tiger Fan and loved the way they looked similar to the Rolex 6263 and received it that year, it has a B serial number and I got it from new from a Rolex AD in London.
I have had 5 Tudor Tigers and one other of them I received with a Rolex crown but not the caseback, I did not buy it from new but I bought it when no one was very interested in collecting these watches. That one I can't be so sure but it also has a B serial number from the late 90's. I was collecting these watches back then and not everyone know this but the Prince Dates without Tiger were actually all post Tiger Watches. The Oysterdate Tudor 79160 became the Prince Date Tiger 79260 and when Tigers contract ran out they dropped the Tiger and it was the Prince Date 79260 until it was discontinued around 2005/2006. The Tigers were only made for a few years but there were a lot of them in many different colours but I personally only like the Panda and reverse Panda dials.

[Colin G]

Great thread. I've been on the hunt for an older Tudor chrono for a couple of years now but just can't figure out which one to actively search for. It will be a non-Tiger model with black bezel on an oyster style bracelet for sure.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Watchdaytona

The Oysterdate Tudor 79160 became the Prince Date Tiger 79260 and when Tigers contract ran out they dropped the Tiger and it was the Prince Date 79260

There were also pre-Tiger 792x0s. It didn't go straight from 791x0 to Tiger.

[Teetime71]

Originally Posted by sillo38

There were also pre-Tiger 792x0s. It didn't go straight from 791x0 to Tiger.

Correct - the Tudor 79260, 70, 80 does indeed exist as pre-tiger prince date. I have a B8xxxxx serial circa 1997 with Rolex Crown and Rolex caseback.

[MinMay]

It's funny how I'm getting more compliment of my big block Tudor chronograph than my Rolex LOL...

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Teetime71

Correct - the Tudor 79260, 70, 80 does indeed exist as pre-tiger prince date. I have a B8xxxxx serial circa 1997 with Rolex Crown and Rolex caseback.

Had an identical one with Rolex crown, caseback, bracelet. Still kicking myself I did not hang on to it.

[James444]

My prince date with rolex crown n case back

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[igorgruszecki]

Have you noticed that on your 10 the bar and the luminiscent dot are not aligned.
In mine 79260 with Rolex crown and back, circa 1997..... they aren't neither.
Has been annoying me for a while
I wonder if it has something to do with a particular year/ model?
I've seen a couple of pics on internet with that "feature"
Has anyone else noticed ?

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[sillo]

Here's a gratuitous pic of my 79260

[enginerd]

Originally Posted by sillo38

Here's a gratuitous pic of my 79260

Nice!! I don't wear my Tudor chrono often, but decided to today.

79160 Albino.

[enginerd]

Originally Posted by Colin G

Great thread. I've been on the hunt for an older Tudor chrono for a couple of years now but just can't figure out which one to actively search for. It will be a non-Tiger model with black bezel on an oyster style bracelet for sure.

Surprised we didn't cross paths. I may have been able to sort you out a couple years back.

[hanskl]

Hi!

I have recently acquired a Tudor Big Block 79160 from 1990 (B35xxxx).

After studying the watch, I am left with some questions.

1. Is there a difference between NOS crystals and service crystals? What are the differences? My plexi glass has some kind of etching right in the middle of the crystal just above the handstack. It is too small for me to make out what it is though.

2. Are there different MKs of the bakelite tacky? I have seen some with thin font, some with thick font. How many MKs are there? Mine has a thin font.

3. Is there a difference between NOS pushers and service pushers?

4. Is the water resistance rated to 50m or 100m?

5. The clasp of my bracelet is polished. What is the factory finish of the clasp?

Thanks for the help guys

[I3lacklabel00]

Just picked up this gorgeous 79260, pre-tiger, pre-prince date dial. Has Rolex crown and caseback. Must have been from during the transitional period to the prince dates. Serial is B63xxxx range. Basically a big block but with the modern Daytona case. Thoughts? Did I do ok? lol

[sillo]

Originally Posted by I3lacklabel00

Just picked up this gorgeous 79260, pre-tiger, pre-prince date dial. Has Rolex crown and caseback. Must have been from during the transitional period to the prince dates. Serial is B63xxxx range. Basically a big block but with the modern Daytona case. Thoughts? Did I do ok? lol

You did very good beautiful watch. I'm a little biased here, but the earliest 79260s are my favorites and the Oysterdate dial wasn't produced very long at all on these. That was the first thing to change as production went on.

[I3lacklabel00]

Thanks! I wanted a big block, but prices are ridiculous now. The Rolex attributes and oysterdate dial were the most important things to me, so I think this piece fits the bill. Came with box too!

Originally Posted by sillo38

You did very good beautiful watch. I'm a little biased here, but the earliest 79260s are my favorites and the Oysterdate dial wasn't produced very long at all on these. That was the first thing to change as production went on.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by I3lacklabel00

Thanks! I wanted a big block, but prices are ridiculous now. The Rolex attributes and oysterdate dial were the most important things to me, so I think this piece fits the bill. Came with box too!

I was actually in the same boat originally looking for a Big Block. After looking for a while I realized the sapphire would fit my collection better and the price was definitely more reasonable.

[I3lacklabel00]

Any way to tell year of production using the serial number? Also, should this early 79260 have prince date on the movement rotor or something else? or is it a crapshoot lol

[AJMarcus]

This has been a great thread. Thanks all, and particularly Dan, for sharing your expertise