Tudor Oysterdate Chronograph ref. 79180, 'Big Block' — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Oliver & Clarke · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Oliver & Clarke · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Tudor Oysterdate Chronograph ref. 79180, 'Big Block'

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

Maker / attribution: Tudor (maker)
Date: c. 1994
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dealer: Oliver & Clarke (dealer), United Kingdom
Stock no.: OC2870
Credit line: Dealer listing, Oliver & Clarke (OC2870)
Catalogue title (original): Tudor Oysterdate Chronograph Ref. 79180 - 'Big Block' (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Oliver & Clarke (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number OC2870), this is a wristwatch by Tudor, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1994. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. 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 — Oliver & Clarke

Rolex is a serious brand. Its younger sibling, Tudor, is a fun brand. Tudor long has been riffing on iconic designs from Brand with the Crown, beginning with the Monte Carlo chronographs of the 1970s and eventually evolving into Oysterdate Chronograph line that we see here. Known to collectors 'Big Blocks' for their substantial cases, these pieces showed up around the late 1970s as the replacement to the beloved Monte Carlo chronographs from the first half of the decade. Along with the change of name and the obvious dial layout, the big difference between these and their predecessors is the introduction of the automatic-winding movement — a features that its cousin, the Rolex Daytona, wouldn't have until the late 1980s. The example that we have here is a Ref. 79180 dates to circa 1994 and is offered in strong overall condition, with a thick and symmetrical Oyster case, a correct albeit slightly later Oyster bracelet with a blade clasp, and a solid steel bezel. Inside, the matte black dial is immaculate — beautifully preserved with contrasting silver subsidiary registers with crisp 'concentric' finishing, fully-intact Tritium plots, and a matching handset. Of course, as with all Rolex family products with "Oyster" in the name, it features screw-down pushers and a screw-down crown.

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
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsNot in source
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: Oliver & Clarke (dealer), United Kingdom (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Oliver & Clarke — 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 ref. 79180, 'Big Block'." Oliver & Clarke (dealer), United Kingdom, OC2870. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/tudor-oysterdate-chronograph-ref-79180-big-block-7911da.