Tudor 76200 Prince Date + Day: a Week on the Wrist.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Tbonewalk

Thank you for your views on the Tudor! I sense top quality- Rolex quality in the case, hands and dial. This one has the Rolex crown too. And I love the acrylic crystal. I feel it is kind of warmer and maybe less bling. The bracelet fits, feels and looks great, but I sense a lower quality; am I correct here? It fits but barely, and I think it has all the links. From what I gather changing links or especially adding them on a folded link bracelet is difficult. Some running issues that I will mention, but overall happy with this watch.

Yeah, I had to have a permanent folded link removed on mine, which can be done, but certainly isn't easy like the modern stuff. While these old bracelets don't have the (over?)build quality of the new stuff, I love how light and comfortable they are.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Yeah, I mean, what you essentially have is a Rolex DJ case and bracelet with with a slightly different dial and ETA movement. It's a bit like buying a current Lotus with their fantastic and reliable Toyota-based engines.

Speaking of the "Toyota" engine in my Tudor, I had quite a surprise yesterday. I was near my local watch maker, so I popped in and had him regulate my 76200, like I've done for several of my other watches. Well, when I returned to pick up the watch after the regulation, his timegrapher reported an overall variation of...0.0 seconds!

Now, I've had all kinds of watches regulated, from an Exp II, DJ and SubDate, to a Co-Axial, to a basic ETA 2824-2, etc., and I've NEVER had the thing come back exactly dead on. Anything under 2 seconds is fine by me, and 1 second usually fantastic, but 0.0?!?!

Now, sure, the positional variance of this ETA Tudor isn't going to be amazingly stable like the new Tudor in-house movements, which may be among the best ever made in that regard, but the 0.0 overall score is fantastic. Plus, sitting face up, which is how I rest the watch at night, it only gains 0.2 seconds, so I can't wait to see how the thing looks in a month.

It's only been a day or so, but it's still spot on at the moment.

[wickets]

Mine arrived today. And thanks to opawlows for the lume info. Much appreciated. I'm not allowed to post pics yet.

Now to get a leather band on it!

[opawlows]

Originally Posted by wickets

Mine arrived today. And thanks to opawlows for the lume info. Much appreciated. I'm not allowed to post pics yet.

Now to get a leather band on it!

Not a problem. Can't wait to see some pics of your new DD!

[goyo]

Awesome to hear !

Tudor's ETA comes as a Top grade with a modified balance. KIF shock absorbers and a Triovis regulator instead of the regular ETA.

Top grade means the balance has a higher grade hairspring, higher grade pallet fork and is regulated to within COSC specs without being COSC certified. Also it is absolutely gorgeous to look at since the movement is ully perlage decorated.

Rolex has been using the KIF system for quite some time. Also other brands such as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, JLC etc have used it. The main difference is that the Incabloc has two contact points on the jewel bearing, whereas KIF has three. What this means is a better equipped to survive harder impacts. The three contact points are also evenly spread so it technically self aligns itself !!! Pretty dang cool.! And by the way, so you don't feel left out because she does not have a "Rolex" movement, the great caliber 3135 has two KIF applications. ! :-)

And a picture... Of course !

Cheers.

G.

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Speaking of the "Toyota" engine in my Tudor, I had quite a surprise yesterday. I was near my local watch maker, so I popped in and had him regulate my 76200, like I've done for several of my other watches. Well, when I returned to pick up the watch after the regulation, his timegrapher reported an overall variation of...0.0 seconds!

Now, I've had all kinds of watches regulated, from an Exp II, DJ and SubDate, to a Co-Axial, to a basic ETA 2824-2, etc., and I've NEVER had the thing come back exactly dead on. Anything under 2 seconds is fine by me, and 1 second usually fantastic, but 0.0?!?!

Now, sure, the positional variance of this ETA Tudor isn't going to be amazingly stable like the new Tudor in-house movements, which may be among the best ever made in that regard, but the 0.0 overall score is fantastic. Plus, sitting face up, which is how I rest the watch at night, it only gains 0.2 seconds, so I can't wait to see how the thing looks in a month.

It's only been a day or so, but it's still spot on at the moment.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by goyo

Awesome to hear !

Tudor's ETA comes as a Top grade with a modified balance. KIF shock absorbers and a Triovis regulator instead of the regular ETA.

Top grade means the balance has a higher grade hairspring, higher grade pallet fork and is regulated to within COSC specs without being COSC certified. Also it is absolutely gorgeous to look at since the movement is ully perlage decorated.

Rolex has been using the KIF system for quite some time. Also other brands such as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, JLC etc have used it. The main difference is that the Incabloc has two contact points on the jewel bearing, whereas KIF has three. What this means is a better equipped to survive harder impacts. The three contact points are also evenly spread so it technically self aligns itself !!! Pretty dang cool.! And by the way, so you don't feel left out because she does not have a "Rolex" movement, the great caliber 3135 has two KIF applications. ! :-)

And a picture... Of course !

Cheers.

G.

Thanks!

I was aware of the Tudor changes to the ETA, and I find it a little funny that, despite missing the 3 hallmarks of a Rolex movement (free sprung balance, overcoil and full balance bridge,) this Tudor ETA is running better than anything else I've owned from Rolex or any other company.

I don't normally care too much about accuracy, but, since the watchmaker nailed it at 0.0, I'm having a little fun testing it out with a watch app. I've been wearing it 24/7, and it's currently running at +.2 seconds per day, which is outrageously good. I've never had another mechanical that close to zero. We'll see if it holds.

p.s. I recently learned that the 2nd KIF unit over the 3135's escape wheel is actually called a KIF Duofix, and it isn't really a shock absorber. It's just a more convenient way of holding the jewel in place vs. little screws.

[goyo]

Totally !

Hey... Speaking of great movements... How about some modern yet vintage ?

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Thanks!

I was aware of the Tudor changes to the ETA, and I find it a little funny that, despite missing the 3 hallmarks of a Rolex movement (free sprung balance, overcoil and full balance bridge,) this Tudor ETA is running better than anything else I've owned from Rolex or any other company.

I don't normally care too much about accuracy, but, since the watchmaker nailed it at 0.0, I'm having a little fun testing it out with a watch app. I've been wearing it 24/7, and it's currently running at +.2 seconds per day, which is outrageously good. I've never had another mechanical that close to zero. We'll see if it holds.

p.s. I recently learned that the 2nd KIF unit over the 3135's escape wheel is actually called a KIF Duofix, and it isn't really a shock absorber. It's just a more convenient way of holding the jewel in place vs. little screws.

[The Argonaut]

Excellent review. Many thanks. is the case size 38 or 36? I've read both for the Prince DD.

[DramaTurtle]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

Excellent review. Many thanks. is the case size 38 or 36? I've read both for the Prince DD.

The Prince DD is actually closer to 35mm, similar to classic DJ's. I just bought myself a second one; same config as Adam's!

[The Argonaut]

Thanks DT.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

Excellent review. Many thanks. is the case size 38 or 36? I've read both for the Prince DD.

Thank you. My digital caliper says 36mm, as does the Tudor website Note, also, the updated reference number. Not sure if only 76200 is still used on the case now, but I guess so.

[The Argonaut]

HI Old Expat,

Thanks. It seems as if the older models are 38-39.

https://www.christies.com/features/T...ed-5745-1.aspx

Best,
Argo

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

HI Old Expat,

Thanks. It seems as if the older models are 38-39.

https://www.christies.com/features/T...ed-5745-1.aspx

Best,
Argo

Yes, the earliest ("Jumbo") ones were, but the 76200 and other 76 series are 36mm, and have been since the 1990s

[The Argonaut]

HI Old Expat,

I appreciate the heads up. I'm new to the Tudor universe, and am grateful for the steer,.

Best,
TA

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

HI Old Expat,

I appreciate the heads up. I'm new to the Tudor universe, and am grateful for the steer,.

Best,
TA

My pleasure

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Thank you. My digital caliper says 36mm, as does the Tudor website Note, also, the updated reference number. Not sure if only 76200 is still used on the case now, but I guess so.

I believe it's 36mm if you measure a little diagonally and exclude the crown, which still gets a sliver of the midcase in there, but the bezel alone is closer to 35mm.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

I believe it's 36mm if you measure a little diagonally and exclude the crown, which still gets a sliver of the midcase in there, but the bezel alone is closer to 35mm.

Yes, Argonaut was asking about the case, and that's what I measured. The bezel is of course slightly smaller.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Yes, Argonaut was asking about the case, and that's what I measured. The bezel is of course slightly smaller.

Yeah, I was just trying to clear up why DramaTurtle said the watch was closer to 35mm. It sounds like he was thinking in terms of the bezel.

[mikkolopez]

Some 2tone goodness




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wickets]

here's one of mine

[Tbonewalk]

mine is from 1986 and the bracelet is snug. I may want to try another bracelet. Will Rolex replacements fit this one, 6248-20 code on clasp... thank you!

[Jake B]

Thread got to me, Adam, so I found myself laying down $19,888 for a blue 76214 with a WG fluted bezel

I'll make sure to post a few pics later on.

Cheers &.good weekend, gents!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jake B

Thread got to me, Adam, so I found myself laying down $19,888 for a blue 76214 with a WG fluted bezel

I'll make sure to post a few pics later on.

Cheers &.good weekend, gents!

Nicely done mate

I look forward to seeing the pics.

[wickets]

19 THOUSAND? must be zimbabwian dollars or something, right?

ex the cost, looking very forward to seeing pics too

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by wickets

19 THOUSAND? must be zimbabwian dollars or something, right?

....or do you think maybe Hong Kong, where the model is still current ?

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Nicely done mate

I look forward to seeing the pics.

Here's a quick one taken last night before I took off the stickers and re-sized, Adam. I apologise for the poor lighting. The blue can appear to be anything from a vibrant Stella dial type of blue, to a deep navy/purple. Hey, big thanks for helping to bring these into the spotlight.



Cheers & thanks for lookin'!

[Old Expat Beast]

Looks great Jake...the blue dial/fluted bezel is one of the most attractive combos for the 762xx series. Congrats on a great one

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Looks great Jake...the blue dial/fluted bezel is one of the most attractive combos for the 762xx series. Congrats on a great one

Thanks, Adam!

That "Mosaic" dial with smooth is VERY tempting, too. Hell, they're all good. This one might not be the last.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Jake B

....or do you think maybe Hong Kong, where the model is still current ?




Here's a quick one taken last night before I took off the stickers and re-sized, Adam. I apologise for the poor lighting. The blue can appear to be anything from a vibrant Stella dial type of blue, to a deep navy/purple. Hey, big thanks for helping to bring these into the spotlight.




Cheers & thanks for lookin'!

Nice!

[opawlows]

That's a great looking 76214 with the blue dial!

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by wickets

here's one of mine

Nice! That’s something I like about the Tudor’s slightly more “simple” dial vs. a DateJust (although similar to some late ‘70s DJs.) It can lean a little sporty with the right band.