Tudor
Big-Block Chronotime Panda Oysterdate Automatic - Full-set box & Papers

Tudor Oysterdate Chronotime — Ref. 79180 — 40 mm — Automatic Valjoux 7750 — Silver Panda Dial — Black Tachymeter Bezel — Full Set 1993

A discreet alternative to the Rolex Daytona, yet with the full strength of its own identity.

Worn on the wrist of a driver in the 1990s, it was more than a style statement: it was an affirmation, a signature, a direct link to legend. The Tudor Oysterdate Chronotime Ref. 79180 echoes the mythical aura of the Rolex Daytona of its era – with which it shares the Oyster case, the domed plexiglass crystal and several components – while asserting a singular personality. Its engine, the robust Valjoux 7750, brings the reliability and endurance of a high-level automatic chronograph, built to last and designed to follow the intense rhythms of everyday life.

Reference 79180 Big Block belongs to the second generation of Tudor chronographs, produced between 1986 and 1995. It succeeded the first 9430/0 “Monte Carlo” series and preceded the arrival of the more modern Prince Date models. The example we offer here, dated 1993, stands among the very last of its generation, and its state of preservation – which can only be described as exceptional, near mint – makes it a truly rare opportunity.

Its 40 mm Oyster case, manufactured by Rolex, delivers a sporty and assertive presence, enhanced by a bezel set with a black tachymeter insert and crisp white markings. The silver “panda” dial displays three black sub-dials that add a harmonious contrast and highlight its perfect balance. Protected by a domed plexiglass crystal with a Cyclops magnifier over the date, the dial retains all the aesthetic warmth of chronographs of the period, with tritium indexes that still hold the glow of the 1990s. The Valjoux 7750 movement, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, gives the Chronotime solid accuracy and proven robustness. As a cam-operated chronograph, it offers hours, minutes, small seconds, date at three o’clock and reliable measurement of short intervals. This calibre, legendary for its durability and ease of maintenance, allowed this Tudor to become not only a collectible timepiece but also a perfectly capable daily companion.

Wearing a Tudor Chronotime Ref. 79180 is to enter a universe where sports watchmaking meets the aesthetics of motor racing circuits and the elegance of everyday life. It was designed as a tool for drivers and speed enthusiasts, capable of timing a lap, but it maintains a discreet elegance that lets it pair effortlessly with a suit or a shirt. It appeals both to the collector seeking a historical alternative to the Daytona and to the aesthete drawn to a watch of character – rare, confidential and singular. What makes our example even more precious is its full set character. Delivered with its box, outer box and original Tudor papers dated 1993, it comes complete and in near-mint condition. Such completeness is extremely rare for this model, further enhancing its patrimonial value.

Acquiring this Tudor Oysterdate Chronotime at Mostra means gaining access to a certified collectible timepiece, serviced in our workshop and covered by a three-year warranty. It also means benefiting from the guidance of passionate experts, capable of placing every detail in the context of the watch’s history and ensuring a purchase that is as secure as it is inspiring.