FS: Vintage Tudor ref. 79170 “Big Block” Inverse Panda Automatic Chronograph

[tomvox1]

Up for sale is this super cool circa mid-1990s Tudor ref. 79170 Oysterdate Chrono Time chronograph with gorgeous Near Mint glossy black Inverse Panda dial, massive "Big Block" Oyster case and rotating dual-time bezel. This classic plexi-crystal Tudor chrono, one of the last before the introduction of the sapphire crystal models, is powered by a Tudor-modified Valjoux caliber 7750, and the ref. 79170 with rotating bezel is the most uncommon version of this era. The high gloss dial is very attractive and, having owned both a matte dial version previously and now this one, the wow factor is frankly far superior on these, with not only the attractiveness of the shimmering black gloss dial but also the very nicely delineated engined-turned high gloss white sub-registers.

In my opinion, these non-exotic, acrylic crystal Tudor Big Blocks are still some of the best values in the vintage watch world. With their screw down Rolex crown & pushers and tank-like Oyster case, they have all the build quality of a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona at a fraction of the price and make a great daily driver if you’ve got the wrist for it. While this example shows previous polish and some wear, this Tudor Chrono Time is still in Excellent overall original vintage condition, featuring an absolutely Near Mint gloss black Inverse Panda dial with all the original tritium lume plots intact.

The asking price for this classic Tudor Big Block chronograph is $5,675 USD, including fully insured domestic US shipping. International shipping will be +$100 due to increased shipping fees. Bank Wire strongly preferred on this watch; other forms of payment upon application. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting. Feel free to contact me via DM or at [email protected] or [email protected]































CASE & BACK: Massive "Big Block" Oyster case measures 40mm wide (43mm including crown & guards) x 48mm long x 13mm tall. Previously polished, the lugs are still quite thick, even and sharp, and the lug holes not very distorted, with a good quality satin finish to the top lugs. There are some small residual nicks & dings to the mirrored sides under close inspection and a couple of nicks to the lug tops. I rate the case as solidly Excellent previously polished vintage condition. The outer caseback shows some minor scratches & some minor tool marks — also Excellent cosmetic condition overall. The correct "Oyster Case By Rolex" engraving on the outside is crisp, as is the interior nomenclature, displaying the reference number for the far more common fixed bezel 79160, which is the norm (don’t think I’ve ever seen “79170” stamped inside a back). The B562xxx serial number, indicating circa 1994 production, and correct 79170 model number are both quite sharp and legible between their respective lugs.

DIAL & HANDS: Beautiful Near Mint original factory printed, high gloss black dial with bright white engine turned sub-dials, applied white gold bar markers and Tudor Shield logo showing minimal age for its 30-year life. All the original creamy Tritium luminous dots are present and intact, as is all the dial printing. The silver minute stick hand is missing a small portion of its thin luminous fill, as can clearly be seen in the pictures, but otherwise all of the hands show only minimal signs of age, including the white arrow-tipped chrono sweep seconds hand and the small black sub-register hands. Date window displays the original matte white-backed date disc with correct pronounced serif fonts for the black numerals. Simply a great looking Inverse Panda dial and a highly legible chronograph layout on this classic Tudor Big Block!

BEZEL: Chunky, Sea-Dweller-like knurled steel bezel has some marks from the years and rotates smoothly in both directions with firm finger pressure as designed. Black anodized aluminum dual-time “1-to-12” insert has a lovely charcoal-blue fade to it and is in Excellent condition, with just some minor scratches/marks. This bezel calibration, more uncommon than the usual fixed Tachymeter versions, tells secondary time similar to a GMT-Master but in 12-hour increments and in relation to the hour hand, although it can also be used for elapsed time in 5-minute units, of course.

CROWN & PUSHERS: The Rolex-signed Triplock crown with external O-ring on the tube is correct for this era of Tudor and screws down tightly, pulls out to the winding, quickset date and hacking time setting positions as it should. The Rolex-pioneered screw down pushers work exactly as designed, where you can only engage the chronograph functions by unscrewing them and they are locked when screwed down to prevent accidental use, particularly when swimming etc.

CRYSTAL: Flat, slightly beveled acrylic Cyclops crystal seems original to the watch and has some older, hard to polish scratches and a few flea bites to the edge near the date magnifier, but is otherwise clear and intact — Very Good.

MOVEMENT: Under the hood is a Tudor modified & branded Valjoux 7750, one of the great workhorse automatic chronograph movements in horology. Service history is unknown but all functions — timekeeping, hacking seconds, chronograph stop-start & reset, quickset date — are working well.

BRACELET: This classic Tudor Chrono Time comes on its period correct Tudor-signed ref. 78360 Oyster bracelet with correct and unique 589 ends specific to these thick Big Block cases. The bracelet is quite long with 13 total links — 3 removable — and should fit up to an 7.75” wrist at maximum length, perhaps slightly more. With minor stretch and only light scratches, this hard to find Tudor bracelet is in Excellent condition and quite valuable in its own right. Assuming Tudor clasp codes of this period are the same as their Rolex counterparts, the "R6" code dates to circa 1993 so, more than likely original to the watch.

As a matter of policy, I make absolutely NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch in any way, shape or form.

This great Vintage Tudor Big Block chronograph is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund (less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer). This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
[email protected]
[email protected]

[tomvox1]

The first Bump is the Big Blockiest...

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Automatic-Chrono Bump

[tomvox1]

TTT with the Big Block!