Why We Love It
When it comes to classifying a 'Neo-Vintage' wristwatch, we look for the following criteria:
- Classic case proportions
- Mechanical Movement
- Tritium Luminous Material
- Acrylic Crystal
- Timeless Design
This Tudor 'Big Block' Reference 79180 checks all of those boxes with a full size 40mm Oyster Case design, a 'bombproof' Valjoux 7750 automatic-winding chronograph movement, magnified acrylic crystal, and a triple register 'albino' layout with silvered subsidiary registers and date display against a crisp white dial with lightly aged Tritium indices and handset.
Gaining popularity in recent years in part due to the success of Tudor's Heritage Chronograph line, the Big Block is not only their predecessor, but also preceded its big brother - the Rolex Daytona - in having an automatic winding chronograph mechanism.
This particular example is in absolutely phenomenal condition throughout with an insanely clean case and crispy dial paired up to a solid link Oyster bracelet with Rolex signed clasp.
The Tudor Story
Although it started as Rolex’s gateway brand, the quality of Tudor’s products are by no means inferior to Rolex’s.
Tudors were in many ways Rolexes in all but name, with the same waterproof Oyster cases and similar styling. However, in order to keep costs down, Tudor used off the shelf Swiss movements rather than their own in-house calibres. What resulted were watches that were more affordable than Rolexes to the consumer, but still uniformly tough and reliable.
Hans Wilsdorf created Tudor for the everyman, for miners, construction workers and every sort of tradesman. Rolex was meant for the explorer and the businessman, where Tudor was to be a different creature entirely. For your everyday person Rolex was, and often still is out of reach.
But in creating Tudor, Wilsdorf wanted to offer “a watch that our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that would attain the standards of dependability for which Rolex is famous."
Today Tudor has certainly defeated any impression of being the redheaded stepchild of the Rolex family, and their current timepiece collection – as well as their vintage counterparts – are getting the recognition and respect they most rightfully deserve.
