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View Poll Results: Sub or Big block ?
Keep the blue Sub 46 61.33%
Get the Big block 29 38.67%
Voters: 75. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 4 May 2016, 07:09 AM   #1
Zweig
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Tudor Sub blue or Tudor Big Block ?

I have a problem: i own a blue Tudor Sub ref. 79090 and i'm tempted to trade it for a Tudor Big Block ref. 79170. Condition will dictate the color of the dial.

In terms of investment, i doubt anything will ever beat the word "Submariner" but i have the feeling that the BB is more watch for the money. Valjoux 7750, 12hr rotating bezel, unique fat Oyster case.

My question is: would you do this trade ?

(sorry, "get both" is not an option. I'm broke)

This,



For this ?


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Old 4 May 2016, 07:34 AM   #2
harry in montreal
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No way! Your sub is a jewel. Look on eBay at the number of blue subs and then the slew of Tudor chronos. Blue subs are keepers
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Old 4 May 2016, 08:43 AM   #3
theflywrist
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It's a BLUE Sub man.
Get the point?

I would definitely hang on to the sub if I were you.
If you've grown out of love with it though, then by all means..
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Old 4 May 2016, 08:56 AM   #4
HERITAGE82
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First off you have great taste in watches! I also have a 16710, 79090 (black) & a Tudor chronograph 79270.

So I totally know where you are coming from wanting the Big Block (I look at them often still) since it has a lot of appeal and wrist presence. However on on the other hand the blue submariner is a different style all together and it's a Sub.

I personally wouldn't get rid of the Tudor Submariner for the big block because I feel that the novelty of the big block could wear, and you'll want the Sub again. I know you said it wasn't possible, but I truly feel the big block is a great watch in a collection, but a collection without a submariner is lacking.

Sorry I wasn't much help, but keep the sub it a classic.
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Old 4 May 2016, 09:09 AM   #5
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I lean towards keeping the sub. Down the road both will certainly be available
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Old 4 May 2016, 10:00 AM   #6
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own both 79090 is more versatile in the long run. The big block is a fun piece but its big for lack of a better word. Can't hurt to try it out if you are itchy they are close to even money though the big blocks take a longer to sell if you decide to flip back into a 79090.
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Old 4 May 2016, 10:15 AM   #7
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I prefer the sub by a mile!
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Old 4 May 2016, 11:10 AM   #8
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Blue sub...the only move id make at this point is to get into a Black Snowflake (or blue for a bit more).
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Old 4 May 2016, 11:21 AM   #9
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79090 for me. Firstly, it's blue. Secondly, it has a slimmer case profile. I love pictures of the Big Block but, when on the wrist, found it to be too large for me.
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Old 4 May 2016, 12:26 PM   #10
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I have a 79090 black Sub and two BBs, a 79180 and a 79170, so I feel qualified to pipe in here. For the record, I like all three and rotate them equally at about one-month intervals. At each rotation I don't feel bad that one is going back in the safe and another on my wrist, as I like all of them and look forward to the next one in line. The Tudors are the only watches in my regular rotation.

There's no disputing the beauty and charisma of the BBs, but the Blue Sub has several things going for it:
  1. You own it and it's a known entity.
  2. It is gorgeous.
  3. It is a bit lighter and more comfortable to wear.
  4. It is more ergonomic, being much easier to read compared to the busy dial on the BB. On the chrono the hands tend to blend with the dial and often get lost among the three sub-dials.
I say keep the Sub.
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Old 4 May 2016, 02:05 PM   #11
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Keep the blue Sub. Don't think about it any more.


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Old 4 May 2016, 08:09 PM   #12
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Thank you very much for your comments guys.
Seeing too many pics of Big blocks made my head spin, i needed to hear the voice of reason.

Quote:
Originally Posted by HERITAGE82 View Post
First off you have great taste in watches!
Thank you and i return the compliment.
I heard 1982 was a great year !

Quote:
Originally Posted by iclick View Post
I have a 79090 black Sub and two BBs, a 79180 and a 79170, so I feel qualified to pipe in here. For the record, I like all three and rotate them equally at about one-month intervals. At each rotation I don't feel bad that one is going back in the safe and another on my wrist, as I like all of them and look forward to the next one in line. The Tudors are the only watches in my regular rotation.

There's no disputing the beauty and charisma of the BBs, but the Blue Sub has several things going for it:
  1. You own it and it's a known entity.
  2. It is gorgeous.
  3. It is a bit lighter and more comfortable to wear.
  4. It is more ergonomic, being much easier to read compared to the busy dial on the BB. On the chrono the hands tend to blend with the dial and often get lost among the three sub-dials.
I say keep the Sub.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I didn't want to buy more watches (3 is enough for me) but i have no other choice than to keep the noble Sub and add a BB later. I think the Tudor BB is one of the greatest Tudors ever made.
I guess "only the dead have seen the end of this hobby".
Thanks !
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Old 4 May 2016, 08:19 PM   #13
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I personally love chronographs and I always thought they are more bang for the buck!
But looking at the worldwide trends at the moment the sub seems to be hitting new highs every single day.
So investment wise keeping the sub would be the most prudent choice!
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Old 5 May 2016, 05:30 AM   #14
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That's an awesome reverse panda with a moving bezel! I think I would probably make the trade for that piece. I upgraded to a blue snowflake because that was the iconic Tudor for me.
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Old 5 May 2016, 05:56 AM   #15
harry in montreal
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Have you ever tried on a 7020/0 which is the day date and the steel bezel? It is very heavy!
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Old 5 May 2016, 06:35 AM   #16
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Keep the sub! Take the big block when possible!
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Old 5 May 2016, 07:54 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motoikkyu View Post
I upgraded to a blue snowflake because that was the iconic Tudor for me.
That's a good point. A blue 79090 will always live in the shadows of the blue snowflake or the blue lollipop in terms of collectability.

Quote:
Originally Posted by harry in montreal View Post
Have you ever tried on a 7020/0 which is the day date and the steel bezel? It is very heavy!
No, but they are outstanding watches. I was looking for one (smooth bezel) but i found a 94510 with blue sunburst dial and engine turned bezel which is my daily wearer now.

TBH, i haven't made up my mind yet.
Submariners tend to bore me (a lot) after a while.
I traded my first Rolex, a 14060M (Z) for a 16710 (P) a year ago and i couldn't be happier. Miss it occasionally when i see a nice pic of it but that's all. I know i made the right choice.
Also, i would like to diversify the calibers of my watches. I already have an ETA 2824 (Marathon SAR) and ETA 2834 (94510). I had a Lemania 5100 (Sinn EZM-1) and now the Valjoux 7750 intrigues me a lot...
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Old 5 May 2016, 10:58 AM   #18
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The Valjoux 7750 is a real workhorse of a movement. I owned several in different makes before I really fell in love with the El Primero and the Caliber 12. I can remember buying a new-old-stock Bulova 7750 for less than $300 USD, if you can believe that.
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Old 5 May 2016, 12:55 PM   #19
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Going to go against the grain here.

Ref 79090 isn't near the collectibility of the 9411 / 7016 - in other words, letting go of the 79090 shouldn't be considered as selling a heirloom. Go with your gut, if you like the BB, just get it.

If you were holding on to a 9411 / 7016, I would think twice about letting it go.

Just my 2c
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Old 5 May 2016, 04:48 PM   #20
John in MA
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I own a panda big block and a blue snowflake. Both have their unique characteristics.

While a 79090 is nice when compared to others it isn't the "real" Tudor sub. That belongs to the Snowflake from a collect-ability standpoint. There is a reason that 79090's are the most cost effective of the acrylic Tudor subs.

Would I trade a Snowflake for a Big Block? Absolutely not. Would I trade a 79090 for a Big Block? I'd seriously consider it.
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Old 25 August 2016, 11:26 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John in MA View Post
While a 79090 is nice when compared to others it isn't the "real" Tudor sub. That belongs to the Snowflake from a collect-ability standpoint. There is a reason that 79090's are the most cost effective of the acrylic Tudor subs.

Would I trade a Snowflake for a Big Block? Absolutely not. Would I trade a 79090 for a Big Block? I'd seriously consider it.
x2
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Old 25 August 2016, 11:45 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John in MA View Post
I own a panda big block and a blue snowflake. Both have their unique characteristics.

While a 79090 is nice when compared to others it isn't the "real" Tudor sub. That belongs to the Snowflake from a collect-ability standpoint. There is a reason that 79090's are the most cost effective of the acrylic Tudor subs.

Would I trade a Snowflake for a Big Block? Absolutely not. Would I trade a 79090 for a Big Block? I'd seriously consider it.
X3. The Big Block just has more features I often use. YMMV.
dP
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Old 5 May 2016, 08:57 PM   #23
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I prefer the sub.
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Old 5 May 2016, 09:39 PM   #24
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Keep the blue submariner
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Old 5 May 2016, 11:02 PM   #25
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Blue subs are rare and sort of hard to come buy, BB are always out there
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Old 25 August 2016, 05:33 PM   #26
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I have a similar pair: a 79050 blue with sapphire crystal and double-signed Rolex, and a 79260P, the more recent and smaller footprint chrono.

I think the blue Tudor Subs will be iconic watches in the years ahead. I tend to wear the Sub, as someone mentioned earlier, it is much easier to read.

How often will you use the chrono features? Most timing functions can be accomplished with the Sub's rotating bezel.

My vote is to keep the Sub. Perhaps updating it with a SS bracelet?
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Old 25 August 2016, 10:04 PM   #27
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It's better to have your Sub, then want your Sub. If you let it go you will want it back!
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Old 25 August 2016, 11:46 PM   #28
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Keep the sub, sell a kidney to buy the chrono.
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Old 26 August 2016, 05:40 AM   #29
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Get the big block


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Old 26 August 2016, 08:26 AM   #30
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Trade for the big block and save for a Rolex Sub.
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