Tudor Chrono Time Big Block Exotic

TUDOR, AUTOMATIC – CHRONO TIME, « BIG BLOCK EXOTIC », REF. 9430/0

ICONEEK price: SOLD

In 1976, Tudor launched the third family of the chronograph’s firm, nicknamed « Big Block » by collectors, because of the important thickness of the cases to house the new automatic movements. Produced between 1977 and 1978, the present specimen, Ref. 9430/0,  is superb transition between the previous hand-wound models and the later automatic ones.

Iconeek is proud to introduce here a very nice and attractive version of the Big Block with exotic black dial. These dials were called Exotic, because they were rarest and not illustrated in Rolex advertising, compared to the « regular » two-tone, black with silvered registers, or silvered with balck registers, traditionnal ones. On this series, the dial does not bear the mention « Oysterdate » but « Automatic-Chrono time ».

The model comes with a three-body construction: a large, polished and brushed, water-resistant stainless steel Rolex Oyster tonneau-shaped case with pierced lugs, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard, screwed round pushers and crystal with Cyclops lens, a snap on inclinated steel bezel with tachometer graduation to 500 UPH, a screwed-down engraved case back. The size between the lugs is 20 mm.

Under the plexy crystal, we find a black dial with applied luminous steel Baton indexes and luminous dots, outer 1/5th seconds scale with 5 minute/second red Arabic numerals, three subsidiary dials for the seconds at 9, the 30-minute register at 12 and the 12-hour register at 6, aperture for the date at 3, luminous steel Baton hands, applied steel Tudor logo.

Under the screwed case back, we find a caliber 7750, mechanical, automatic winding, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, with straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, micrometer regulator. Caliber 7750 replaced the cal. V234, with the same diameter 13 lignes, but different thickness, 1.5 mm higher, and a different beating at 28’800 alt/hours, instead of 21’600 previously. Dial, case and movement are signed.

With its iconic design, exotic dial and automatic movement, the present watch is probably one of the best choice for the collector who is seeking a great and well built 1970s watch, affordable compared to Rolex, and even rarer.

A great buy, a great watch !

Condition: 8.5/10, in very good overall condition, even more