Tudor Chrono / Rolex expert advice needed

[brownbear]

There seems to be a lot of variation in The Tudor Chrono line and difficult to get all the info.

I have my eyes on one and would like to get some better understanding.
I am looking at a SS Tudor Tiger Chrono with "crown" crown and Rolex Oyster. Black bezel with all txt in the horizontal format (not sure what this is called) as opposed to the #s facing in. Silver dial and black subdials.

The Tiger was released just before R and T split, correct?
There are some Tigers with the "crown" crown and a Rolex Oyster bracelet and also later ones with the "shield" crown and Tudor bracelet, correct?


Any info would be helpful.

TIA.

[brownbear]

surely someone here is aware of the Tudor Chronographs

[Lisa]

Danny, keep searching here and you'll find some answers - there have been a few threads about the variations with the Tiger chrono, and Tudor chronos in general. I had questions about the crown on my Tiger chrono, too - it's got the Rolex crown and not the Tudor shield emblem. Apparently it was a bit of a transitional model.

Mine is the 79260P - P for polished lugs. Is this the bezel insert you describe? The 79270 model had the other style; where the numbers face the center of the dial. Also, I believe the 79270 model rotates and the 79260 is fixed.

[brownbear]

thanks Lisa,
That is great info and it helps out allot..
I believe that the bezel.. I think I am getting the same watch..

[springer]

The early Tiger chronos used the Rolex coronet on the winding crown. I can't say whether they all had them but, I have owned one and seen many others. (My Tiger chrono was sold during 1997.) It is anyone's guess when the coronet was replaced with the Tudor shield but my best guess was 1998. Further, these winding crowns wear very well, so the likelihood of one being replaced already would be a rare occurrence. I think that if you see one of these watches with the Rolex coronet that it probably came that way from Tudor. For someone to replace the Tudor shield winding crown with the Rolex coronet winding crown would do little or nothing to enhance the value of the watch.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by brownbear

surely someone here is aware of the Tudor Chronographs

If your lucky our resident Tudor Expert Dan Pierce will weigh in soon.

[1MAC]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Danny, keep searching here and you'll find some answers - there have been a few threads about the variations with the Tiger chrono, and Tudor chronos in general. I had questions about the crown on my Tiger chrono, too - it's got the Rolex crown and not the Tudor shield emblem. Apparently it was a bit of a transitional model.

Mine is the 79260P - P for polished lugs. Is this the bezel insert you describe? The 79270 model had the other style; where the numbers face the center of the dial. Also, I believe the 79270 model rotates and the 79260 is fixed.

That's a beautiful watch! I've always loved the Tudor chronos.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by dddrees

If your lucky our resident Tudor Expert Dan Pierce will weigh in soon.

Not sure I'll be any specific help.

I have no evidence to back this up but it's my understanding the Rolex crown vs Tudor shield logo conversion on the trip lock crown, and case back was complete prior to the release of the Tiger chronos.

Many perceive Tudor's, sporting the Rolex crown instead of the Tudor shield, more desirable, thus worth more. It wouldn't surprise me that some Tudor crowns were replaced w/ Rolex crowns. Although many examples of transitional Tudor chronographs exhibiting both Rolex crowns and Tudor shields are known to exist the fact many of the later model Tudor Prince Date dial chrono's w/ Rolex crown while also retaining Tudor case backs lead me to believe the crown was replaced due to service or on purpose to allegedly increase their value.

Tudor history is ambiguous and murky at best and there are no hard and fast guidelines to rely on.
dP

[bigwatchman]

If I may ask a question here. I have seen a Tiger with SS fixed bezel (not sure of correct number off top of my head) with papers that was supposedly a transitional. It had a Rolex winding crown. The clasp though, had one leaf Rolex and one Tudor. This is when I believed for something to be off with this watch. I have since written off this one. Was this something that was done during the transition?

[Dan Pierce]

The fixed bezel chrono's were the 79260 [w/ black tacky], 79280 [w/ metal engraved tacky], 79260P and 79280P ["P" for polished lugs].
I highly doubt any clasp w/ both Rolex and Tudor logos is original. But, I've been wrong before.

One anomaly often seen is 79260 [engraved on inside of] case backs used on all model chronos. It seems Tudor had more of those case backs available during final assembly and decided to use what stock was on hand.
dP

[brownbear]

thanks everyone.. Great info..

It seems that there are several variations.
Kind of reminds me of Harley Davison in 1983-1984.
83 was the last year of shovelhead. 84 was the 1st year for blockhead I have seen several sorts of configurations with these.

If I can get to Cincinnati next weekend, I am 99% sure I will get the Tudor Chrono that my friend has for me.
I will then post pics and details so we all can get a better understanding of these beautiful watches.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by brownbear

thanks everyone.. Great info..

It seems that there are several variations.
Kind of reminds me of Harley Davison in 1983-1984.
83 was the last year of shovelhead. 84 was the 1st year for blockhead I have seen several sorts of configurations with these.

If I can get to Cincinnati next weekend, I am 99% sure I will get the Tudor Chrono that my friend has for me.
I will then post pics and details so we all can get a better understanding of these beautiful watches.

I'm right across The River from Cincy if you need any help.
dP

[brownbear]

thanks Dan...

[peter2704]

no polished lugged tudor should have a rolex crown on it,like it has been said. Alot of rolex crowns and case backs have been added to watches to up there values...

[Wolfgang427]

Originally Posted by peter2704

no polished lugged tudor should have a rolex crown on it,like it has been said. Alot of rolex crowns and case backs have been added to watches to up there values...

I agree, many add ons over the years and its easier to get Rolex parts then Tudor parts(at least here in USA).