Tudor 79180

[iclick]

I've been looking for a black-dial panda Tudor 79160 or 79180 Big Block chrono for some time and found what looks to be a nice one from a reputable on-line retailer in Japan. I'd like to get some feedback on the watch based on the photos provided. Here are my comments:

1. The watch comes with box only, no papers except the invoice from a recent (Jan. 2014) service at RSC in Japan. SN is B537xxx (~1993).

2. The case was obviously polished leaving remnants of dings on one crown guard and the case back. I'm not sure how dings this deep would appear on a case back in normal wear. Bevels look to be preserved although polishing has diminished them.

3. The Tudor 78360 band with 589 end links appears to have light wear based on the photos. There are no extra links but it should fit my 7" wrist, and if not I have extra Oyster links here.

4. The bezel has some black paint missing in places but that can be retouched fairly easily.

5. Would be subject to duties entering the U.S., but I'm told they won't be any higher than 5%, which doesn't shatter my budget.

6. The seller accepts CCs and Paypal. My CC co. will tack on 3% for an international sale but Paypal charges no fees to the buyer for bank withdrawals.

Overall the watch looks good, has had a recent service, and the price is right for me. I would wait for one to come up from a trusted seller here but these are scarce and I haven't seen one like this offered for sale. Any comments would be welcome.

[Dan Pierce]

Looks legit. Guess it depends on if the wear vs price works for you. Are you going to buy to wear and keep or are you buying to flip later?
dP

[iclick]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Looks legit. Guess it depends on if the wear vs price works for you. Are you going to buy to wear and keep or are you buying to flip later?

Buy, rotate with others in my collection (see sig below) for a year or two, then probably flip at some point in time. My only keeper is my first, the GMT. If the price wasn't right I would probably pass. Recent full service, good price, and good investment potential are big selling points for me.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by iclick

Buy, rotate with others in my collection (see sig below) for a year or two, then probably flip at some point in time. My only keeper is my first, the GMT. If the price wasn't right I would probably pass. Recent full service, good price, and good investment potential are big selling points for me.

Sounds like a plan.

Big Block values have remained flat or slightly lower in recent years while the post BB references have been rising. Having said that, BB's, being the last of the vintage Tudor chronos with flat walled Oyster cases, plex crystals, and Rolex markings, will always command higher prices than their younger brethren. IMHO, all Tudor chronos, be they pre or post Big Blocks, regardless of Rolex, Tudor, or Tiger designations, could realize possible handsome future returns.
dP

[Micha]

I really like these Big Blocks, do not really understand why there is so little love out there for them. I think they are pretty undervalued as well...

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Micha

I really like these Big Blocks, do not really understand why there is so little love out there for them. I think they are pretty undervalued as well...

Oh, I think they're loved. Sure loved mine but I bought it at a great price, wore and enjoyed it, then sold it at an even better price. And at that point wanted to steer a few $$ toward a different goal.

Plus I had a 79270P and THC, both that I can take on the road without too much worry compared to the BB which I wanted to keep pristine.

Big Blocks are classic vintage chronographs at their best. Multiple dial and bezel combinations, a date feature, classic Rolex cyclops, powered by the venerable 17J Valjoux 7750, all wrapped up in the largest Rolex Oyster case made until the release of the DSSD. A whole lot there to love.
dP

[Micha]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Oh, I think they're loved. Sure loved mine but I bought it at a great price, wore and enjoyed it, then sold it at an even better price. And at that point wanted to steer a few $$ toward a different goal.

Plus I had a 79270P and THC, both that I can take on the road without too much worry compared to the BB which I wanted to keep pristine.

Big Blocks are classic vintage chronographs at their best. Multiple dial and bezel combinations, a date feature, classic Rolex cyclops, powered by the venerable 17J Valjoux 7750, all wrapped up in the largest Rolex Oyster case made until the release of the DSSD. A whole lot there to love.
dP

Dan, I personally agree with you 100% that there is a lot to love, but what is your explanation that the prices for these Babies remained pretty stagnant over the past few years, unlike other Tudors, the Snowflake for example. May be the BBs are not really vintage yet...?

[rootbeer7]

Snap it up. Absolutely love mine and see it as a real classic. All the style of a Daytona, plus added date function,largest Rolex case until later Seadweller (I think) and wears great casual or smart.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Sounds like a plan.

Big Block values have remained flat or slightly lower in recent years while the post BB references have been rising. Having said that, BB's, being the last of the vintage Tudor chronos with flat walled Oyster cases, plex crystals, and Rolex markings, will always command higher prices than their younger brethren. IMHO, all Tudor chronos, be they pre or post Big Blocks, regardless of Rolex, Tudor, or Tiger designations, could realize possible handsome future returns.
dP

I would not expect nor plan on a quick profit for this one or the one I bought last Feb. (black on silver panda), and would likely keep both a few years. Doing a search on Ebay I see the black-dial BBs commanding higher prices with the white on silver dial variety holding the least favor.

I can't help from noticing the prices today vis-a-vis the cost of a BB when new, around $1100. I can't help from thinking they'll continue to move upward over time.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Snap it up. Absolutely love mine and see it as a real classic. All the style of a Daytona, plus added date function,largest Rolex case until later Seadweller (I think) and wears great casual or smart.

I've had a black on silver panda 79170 for about eight months and am very attracted by its handsome good looks and charisma. What I don't like is the poor readability in low light and the heft on my small wrist. Even worn fairly tight it still wobbles around on the wrist more than my other watches. My Daytona isn't any better for readability, a vice attributable to the busy dials on most chronos, but is much more comfortable.

That said, I like the Tudor enough to want another one, this time a black-dial panda. I'm attracted to the robust styling of the chronos, and for my taste the BB genre is about as charismatic as any chrono I've seen.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Micha

Dan, I personally agree with you 100% that there is a lot to love, but what is your explanation that the prices for these Babies remained pretty stagnant over the past few years, unlike other Tudors, the Snowflake for example. May be the BBs are not really vintage yet...?

Not sure. Seems that stagnation happened during the release of the THC in 2010. Not saying there's a direct correlation though. When the Black Bay and Pelagos were released the original snowflakes continued to rise in value with prices really moving up the past year or so.
dP

[CrownMe]

Beautiful watch.... BUY IT!!! Great points Dan

[Old Expat Beast]

Yen is really weak right now

[iclick]

Thanks to all for the encouragement. I ordered it tonight and will post better photos when received.

[azguy]

I would never buy a watch in Japan, good luck with that

[Smartyjones18]

I bought all 3 models (with b&p) and intent to keep them as long as possible.

[Micha]

Originally Posted by azguy

I would never buy a watch in Japan.....

why?

[iclick]

Originally Posted by Smartyjones18

I bought all 3 models (with b&p) and intent to keep them as long as possible.

That black panda dial and black bezel combo looks great. Here's my 79170 with the white dial.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by Micha

why?

To take the liberty of guessing what he meant, the Far East has a reputation for producing counterfeit products. The company from which I purchased the subject 79170 is a member of the IACC, has good Ebay and other feedback, and I have some protection from Paypal should something go awry. I always hesitate when I see a watch for sale outside CONUS where you have fewer options for recourse should be be defrauded or otherwise unfairly treated. I thought this was a low-risk proposition, so I hope all goes well. It's the first watch I've purchased from overseas.

[sea-dweller]

Looks like a beauty!

[iclick]

Got the watch today after one week in transit, and I must say it's in better condition than I expected. It was described by the seller as "Used A," which by their criteria means "Insignificant traces of usage are present in very good condition." I would have to say that "insignificant" is accurate in this case. Some black paint is absent in a few areas of the bezel, but I can only see them in photos or looking through a loupe.

Here's a quick on-the-wrist shot. The bezel is more polished than the photo suggests.

[waQstar]

Nice watch, here is mine

[iclick]

Originally Posted by waQstar

Nice watch, here is mine

I'm thinking my next purchase may be a 79160 or 79170 with a black dial. The black dial, black bezel looks good together, IMO.

[waQstar]

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either, black dial with roaring bezel was the hardest to find, I love the wrist presence on these...
Better update your sig :)

[JustinK]

Great watch, Congrats!

Mine says hello.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by waQstar

...black dial with roaring bezel was the hardest to find, love the wrist presence on these.

What is a "roaring bezel"? Wrist presence is the best attribute of the Big Block genre, IMO.

Better update your sig :)

Almost forgot. Done, and the collection grows.

[Dan Pierce]

This is a 79270P w/ 12 hour rotating bezel.
dP

[Frogman4me]

Love the big blocks, must have ��

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by iclick

That black panda dial and black bezel combo looks great. Here's my 79170 with the white dial.

You might call that a silver dial. A true white dial looks like this.

[iclick]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

You might call that a silver dial. A true white dial looks like this.

Yes, it is in fact silver.