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iclick · 15 February 2014, 05:04 AM

With my affections firmly embedded in the sport-watch category I've added one more to my small but growing collection. The newbie is the Tudor on the right, a 79170 "Big Block." Since it is circa-1993 I wasn't sure if this thread belongs here or in the General section, but being 20YO and is no longer made I decided that if not truly vintage it is close enough to it.

I was unsure if this watch would be like a brick on my smallish 7" wrist, similar to my experience with a TT Sub about 20 years ago--but it fits well and doesn't feel cumbersome. There's more to it than the others, at 14mm is thicker and heavier than the Rolexes by about 1 oz. (4 vs. 3 oz.), but it wears well. The natural-finish sub-hands against the black sub-dials makes them hard to see in some lighting conditions and visibility of the large hands is about the same as the Daytona but not nearly as visible as the GMT. On the wrist it affords considerable visual presence.

I don't know the service history and mounting it on the Timegrapher shows that it is quite consistent in all positions, though there's some dip in amplitude when not fully wound, suggesting that perhaps it needs a new mainspring. The Valjoux 7750 movement can be regulated much easier than a Rolex and without special tools, except a case back remover.

MitchSteel · 15 February 2014, 05:50 AM

Nice

CrownMe · 15 February 2014, 06:01 AM

Stunning Tudor!! call me crazy but i prefer the Big Block over the Daytona any day of the week.....unless its a Newman dial lol Congrats my friend.

Vincent65 · 15 February 2014, 06:42 AM

cool, congrats!

enginerd · 15 February 2014, 07:24 AM

Nice 79170!!!

My '94 79160 says hello.

soundserious · 15 February 2014, 07:45 AM

Looks great, congrats!

cop414 · 15 February 2014, 10:34 AM

Looks fantastic, great trio!

JustinK · 15 February 2014, 11:17 AM

Great watch! I really like the rotating bezel on the 79170, looks great.

My 79180 to complete the BB trio.

sartorialist · 15 February 2014, 11:27 AM

Very nice collection!

watchcrank · 16 February 2014, 12:06 AM

Love those Big Blocks. nice collection, M

iclick · 16 February 2014, 09:08 AM

Thanks to all for the kudos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownMe

Stunning Tudor!! call me crazy but i prefer the Big Block over the Daytona any day of the week.....unless its a Newman dial lol Congrats my friend.

The Tudor has a rather imposing presence on the wrist, more so than either the Daytona or GMT. That's probably because of its height (14mm) and contrasting sub-dials. The Daytona has a different presence, more along the lines of elegance than an in-your-face sporty flare that jumps out at you. The GMT is the most understated of the trio with its faded dial and bezel, but of the three it is the one that I'll never sell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinK

Great watch! I really like the rotating bezel on the 79170, looks great.

I'm familiar with the rotating bezel on the GMT that correlates with the 24-hour hand but have never seen a description of what the 12-hour bezel on the Tudor is supposed to do. I assume it is similar to the GMT in quickly seeing the time in two different time zones, only you use the hour hand on the 12-hour bezel.

Racerdj · 16 February 2014, 09:17 AM

Congratulations on a great addition.

sea-dweller · 16 February 2014, 03:54 PM

Congrats!

skprd13 · 16 February 2014, 07:03 PM

79170 Excellent!

15 February 2014, 05:04 AM	#1
iclick "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 813	New addition to collection With my affections firmly embedded in the sport-watch category I've added one more to my small but growing collection. The newbie is the Tudor on the right, a 79170 "Big Block." Since it is circa-1993 I wasn't sure if this thread belongs here or in the General section, but being 20YO and is no longer made I decided that if not truly vintage it is close enough to it. I was unsure if this watch would be like a brick on my smallish 7" wrist, similar to my experience with a TT Sub about 20 years ago--but it fits well and doesn't feel cumbersome. There's more to it than the others, at 14mm is thicker and heavier than the Rolexes by about 1 oz. (4 vs. 3 oz.), but it wears well. The natural-finish sub-hands against the black sub-dials makes them hard to see in some lighting conditions and visibility of the large hands is about the same as the Daytona but not nearly as visible as the GMT. On the wrist it affords considerable visual presence. I don't know the service history and mounting it on the Timegrapher shows that it is quite consistent in all positions, though there's some dip in amplitude when not fully wound, suggesting that perhaps it needs a new mainspring. The Valjoux 7750 movement can be regulated much easier than a Rolex and without special tools, except a case back remover. Attached Images __________________ GMT 1675 SS (1969) Tudor Big Block Chrono 79170 white-dial panda (~1993) Tudor Big Block Chrono 79180 black-dial panda (~1993) Tudor Sub 79090 (1992)

15 February 2014, 05:50 AM	#2
MitchSteel "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: MDangerSteel Location: Canada Watch: Vintage Rolex Posts: 2,301	Nice __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons Probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival---Capt. Rage Don't believe anything in aviation, 'till V1---Mitch Danger Steel

15 February 2014, 07:24 AM	#5
enginerd "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Real Name: Nathan Location: Denver, CO Watch: Too many Posts: 1,008	BB hard to beat Nice 79170!!! My '94 79160 says hello. Attached Images

15 February 2014, 10:34 AM	#7
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,261	Looks fantastic, great trio! __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

15 February 2014, 11:17 AM	#8
JustinK 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Justin Location: Jupiter, FL Watch: 1530,1665,1680 Posts: 2,064	Great watch! I really like the rotating bezel on the 79170, looks great. My 79180 to complete the BB trio. Attached Images

15 February 2014, 06:01 AM	#3
CrownMe "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maryland Watch: My Open 6 Posts: 3,433	Stunning Tudor!! call me crazy but i prefer the Big Block over the Daytona any day of the week.....unless its a Newman dial lol Congrats my friend.

15 February 2014, 06:42 AM	#4
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	cool, congrats!

15 February 2014, 07:45 AM	#6
soundserious "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: usofmfa Posts: 3,157	Looks great, congrats!

15 February 2014, 11:27 AM	#9
sartorialist "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: here Posts: 29	Very nice collection!

16 February 2014, 12:06 AM	#10
watchcrank "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: michael Location: Florida Watch: explorer II cream Posts: 1,664	Love those Big Blocks. nice collection, M

16 February 2014, 09:17 AM	#12
Racerdj 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indianapolis Watch: Patek-Philippe Posts: 16,832	Congratulations on a great addition. __________________ Rolex and Patek Philippe

16 February 2014, 03:54 PM	#13
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Congrats!

16 February 2014, 07:03 PM	#14
skprd13 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Tom Location: Kauai Watch: 1675-1680-16750 Posts: 3,346	79170 Excellent!

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