Tudor 79280 Panda, I need a bit of advice.

[Blackdog]

Hello there.

I am on holiday in Madrid and came across a Tudor 79280, Panda dial, polished steel bezel, pre-Tiger in rather decent condition (fair use marks, unpolished). It comes on a leather strap (could well be original), with the solid end links and a signed Tudor deployment clasp. The case back and crown are signed Rolex, and the crystal is sapphire.

This is at a typical jewellery/watch pawn shop, so no box/papers or anything like that.

The watch works, that’s all I can say, but what makes me dubious is that the watch has Mercedes hands. I have never seen this model with these hands.

What do you think a watch like this is worth, would you think it is to much of a risk to buy ? Is there a sure tell for a fake ?

I am familiar with Rolex quality, and the general quality of the watch sure looks like genuine, the feel of the Trip-lock crown and screw down pushers is really good… But I am not too familiar with these models (I know more about the divers).

What can you tell me ?

Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

[GerardoG]

I am no expert, but I do not think Tudor chronos were made with mercedes hands....

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

I am no expert, but I do not think Tudor chronos were made with mercedes hands....

Hola Gerardo,

My point exactly. I think the same. What worries is that I can't imagine a possible scenario that could end with a watch in pretty decent condition sporting wrong hour/minutes hands. The chrono seconds hand seems correct, though.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

I am no expert, but I do not think Tudor chronos were made with mercedes hands....

Me neither. Unless I knew the seller and the exact history of that watch, I'd have to pass.
dP

[lhanddds]

As usual, pics would help

[Dr.Smellody]

With the polished bezel, it should look similar to mine short of the "Tiger." I believe there may have been a version with a dive bezel instead of a chronograph bezel that may have had different hands. Pics?

[iclick]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

With the polished bezel, it should look similar to mine short of the "Tiger." I believe there may have been a version with a dive bezel instead of a chronograph bezel that may have had different hands. Pics?

The 79x70 had a 12-hour bezel like mine shown below. Like others here I've never seen a ChronoTime with Mercedes hands. OTOH it is possible Rolex and Tudor hands are interchangeable and a previous owner swapped out the originals because he wanted something a little different. Weirder things have happened in the watch world, but it would be interesting to see a pic of this watch.

[Dr.Smellody]

Oops. Thought I linked a picture. Here is mine.

[Blackdog]

Thanks for the feedback.

Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures, as the idea to consult the forum came later...

The watch looks and feels legit to me, by far the most disturbing issue are the incorrect hands.

I've been researching a bit and found that, at the price I was able to negotiate, after adding the cost of a proper service (correct hands included) I'd be around the market price for this model sans-bracelet.

Not such a great deal after all, with a big red flag to boot. I'm not desperate for the watch, so I think I will pass.

Thanks a lot for your help.