Tudor Big Block Ref. 79170 Vintage Chronograph

For over half a century, Tudor have created some of history's most iconic, legible and reputable chronograph watches. With the guiding hand of its sister brand, Rolex, Tudor have benefitted from state-of-the-art technology and materials to fine-tune their collections. The 'Big Block' line was a series of three-register chronographs that have become the unsung heroes of Tudor's legacy, with an untapped potential for investment in the shadow of surging vintage Rolex prices on the second-hand market. Launched in 1976, the Big Block was Tudor's third generation chronograph - the first to include a third hour register on the dial, facilitated by the new Valjoux 7750 movement. Importantly, the Big Block was the first self-winding chronograph in the entire Rolex/Tudor catalogue - preceding the Daytona by a decade. A deeper case was therefore necessary, giving rise to the eventual nickname 'Big Block'. This particular 79170 reference was manufactured in 1994 and features a distinctive black graduated 12-hour bi-directional bezel with black subdials. It remains in outstanding condition and includes Tudor service papers dated 2013.