116 Tudor Fine and Sought After, Tiger Prince Date Automatic Chronograph Wristwatch in Steel, Red Dial, With Box and Papers, Reference 79 280
Estimate: € 2,500 – 5,000
Sold (Premium)€4,550
Model: Tiger Prince Date
Reference: 79280
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1999
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 7750
Case N°: H127949
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Box, Warranty, Booklet and Additional Bezel
Tudor is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury wristwatches based in Geneva. Registered in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, the fond of Rolex SA, the brand remains a sister company to Rolex, both companies being owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation. Over time Tudor became especially well known for its tool watches producing watches for professional divers and the military. Everybody knows that Rolex made Tudor watches using Rolex cases, bracelets and other parts. Tudor chronographs have never even approached the Rolex Daytona chronograph in price, but apart from the movements, there is hardly any difference in the watches except, the Tudor has a date whereas the Daytona is sorely missing a date display. Plus, the Tudor Tiger chronographs came with some very cool dials, like this red one. Introduced in 1995, the Tudor Prince Date Chronograph ref. 79 280 holds a significant place as one of the final timepieces showcasing the renowned watchmaker’s iconic vintage design, marking the transition towards the brand’s modern era. The lot offered here is a very nice example fully made in stainless steel with a black bezel with the familiar Units per Hour scale and a very captable Red dial with luminous Arabic numerals, luminous baton hands, three beveled engine-turned sub-dials for small seconds, minute and hour counters all completed by the date window at 3 o’clock aperture. The dial is beautiful with lots of quality and attention to detail, as evidenced by the white shadow around each black numeral, the fact that the subdials are traced with white gold, the precision of the printing. Moreover this watch is auctioned with the complete set of box, warranty, booklet and an additional steel bezel making this lot a true pearl for any Tudor’s collector.