Tudor Oysterdate Chronograph 79170 Big Block with Papers, 1993 — 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 Oysterdate Chronograph 79170 Big Block with Papers, 1993

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

Maker / attribution: Tudor (maker)
Date: 1993
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 40 mm
Dealer: Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen
Stock no.: W-1924
Credit line: Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-1924)
Catalogue title (original): Tudor Oysterdate Chronograph 79170 Big Block with Papers (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-1924), this is a wristwatch by Tudor, made in Switzerland, dated 1993. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) 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

The 12-Hour-Bezel Panda Big Block The Tudor Big Block was an exciting piece for Tudor as it was the first automatically wound chronograph from the WiIlsdorf stable – a full decade ahead of the reference 16520 Rolex Daytona. This example houses a classic ‘Panda’ dial, which is sliver with black sub registers and is the rarest version with the bi directional bezel. The dial remains in perfect condition and all the lume plots are all intact that have turned a gentle cream colour. The case is fantastic and remains full and strong at all points – this is a cool sized watch and in fact was the deepest Oyster case ever until Rolex introduced the Deepsea Seadweller. The watch comes with original punched papers that state the watch was originally sold in Bergamo in 1993 and is accompanied by the wallet. The solid link Oyster bracelet reference 78360, with correct 589 endlinks, is in good condition and has a clasp stamped ‘R 8’. The watch has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. Specifications: - Tudor Chronograph 79170 - 40mm steel case - Serial B56xxxx dating to 1993 - 12-hour bi-directional rotating bezel - Silver ‘Panda’ dial - Bracelet reference 78360 with 589 endlinks - Original punched papers and wallet - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

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 Oysterdate Chronograph 79170 Big Block with Papers, 1993." Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen, W-1924. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/tudor-oysterdate-chronograph-79170-big-block-with-papers-99200c.