
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Tudor Prince Date Chronograph Red Dial (Ref. 79280), 1998
- Maker / attribution
- Tudor (maker)
- Date
- 1998
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 40 mm
- Stock no.
- Product 8551184335031
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Huntington Company (product 8551184335031)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1998 Tudor Prince Date Chronograph Red Dial (Ref. 79280) (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Huntington Company (dealer) (stock number Product 8551184335031), this is a wristwatch by Tudor, made in Switzerland, dated 1998. 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 — Huntington Company
History and Significance The Tudor chronographs from the late 90s and early 2000s sit in an interesting place. They carry the DNA of the earlier Big Block references but move into a more refined case and dial execution, while still keeping that strong, functional identity. Reference 79280 is part of that transition. It keeps the familiar chronograph layout, screw-down pushers, and tachymeter bezel, but the proportions feel more balanced and wearable than the earlier generations. Inside is the tried-and-true automatic chronograph movement, built for reliability rather than show. What makes this one stand out is the dial. The coral red tone is not something you come across often in this line. Most examples stay within black, white, or silver, so when one shows up like this, it completely changes the personality of the watch. It still has the same tool-watch foundation, but visually it is far more expressive. Writer’s Thoughts This is all about the dial. It is not a subtle red by any means. In the right light it almost glows, and it gives the watch a completely different feeling than the usual Tudor chronographs from this era. You still get the same case, the same layout, but it does not feel like the same watch at all. It's almost like the new Oyster Perpetual colored dials. It is one of those pieces where if you like it, you really like it. And you are probably not going to see another out in the wild. Our Promise Every watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity. Specifications Brand: Tudor Model: Prince Date Chronograph (Ref. 79280) Year: 1998 Case Material: Stainless steel Case Size: Approx. 40mm Bezel: Fixed stainless steel tachymeter bezel Dial: Coral red dial with black subdials Movement: Automatic chronograph caliber Strap/Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet Buckle/Clasp: Tudor folding clasp Contents: Watch only Condition Case: Case shows light wear but nothing major. Dial: Dial is clean with no visible damage. Hands: Hands are correct and in good condition. Crystal: Crystal shows no wear. Strap/Bracelet: Bracelet is in good condition with light wear and almost no stretch.
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 timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: 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.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
Related records
Wristwatches · c. 1973
Tudor Prince Oysterdate Ranger II, ref. 9101/1, c. 1973
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1973
Tudor Prince Oysterdate, ref. 9101/1, c. 1973 (Antiquorum Lot 389-114)
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1973
Tudor Prince Oysterdate, ref. 9101/1, c. 1973 (Antiquorum Lot 389-115)
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1974
Tudor Princess Oysterdate, ref. 9311/0, c. 1974
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 2008
Wristwatch by Breitling?, 2008
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · c. 1990s
Audemars Piguet Bamboo, c. 1990s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1990
Audemars Piguet Huitieme Perpetual Calendar, ref. 25696PT, c. 1990
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · c. 1990
Breitling Chronomat, ref. b13050.1, c. 1990
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
