Tudor "Monte Carlo " chronograph grey dial ref 7149 / 0 “mystery engraving “, 1972 — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Bulang & Sons · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Tudor "Monte Carlo " chronograph grey dial ref 7149 / 0 “mystery engraving “, 1972

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Tudor (maker)
Date: 1972
Historical period: Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 40 mm
Dealer: Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Stock no.: W-3164
Credit line: Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3164)
Catalogue title (original): Tudor "Monte Carlo " chronograph grey dial ref 7149 / 0 “mystery engraving “ (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-3164), this is a wristwatch by Tudor, made in Switzerland, dated 1972. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

Tudor's second series of chronographs earned the nickname "Monte Carlos" from collectors due to the dial layout, which resembled the gaming tables seen in the casinos of Monaco's famous gaming center. This stunning chronograph features a grey and orange dial in superb condition. The orange remains striking and vibrant, with no spotting on the grey areas, which is often seen on these watches. The case, including the lugs and crown guards, is thick and in great shape all around. The caseback has a fascinating engraving: C. Harris M.N.-U.K. 025557 . We love these little mysteries: Who was this “C. Harris”? Was this from the UK military ? Was this a military-issued watch? And what does the number signify ??! The folded link Oyster bracelet, ref 7836 with 382 endlinks, is in excellent condition with minimal stretch.The manual wind chronograph movement has been fully checked and regulated by our watchmaker. Get in touch if you want to learn more about this original grandfather of the Tudor Black Bay chronograph! Specifications: - Tudor Monte Carlo Chrono 7149 /0 - 40mm steel case - Serial 775xx dating to 1972 - Black tachymeter bezel - Grey and orange dial - “Mystery “ caseback engraving “: C.Harris M.N.-U.K. 025557 - Bracelet reference 78360 with 580 endlinks - Fully serviced by our watchmaker

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Bulang & Sons — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Tudor "Monte Carlo " chronograph grey dial ref 7149 / 0 “mystery engraving “, 1972." Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen, W-3164. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/tudor-monte-carlo-chronograph-grey-dial-ref-7149-0-mystery-engraving-c4fd8a.