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Beating Rolex to the Automatic Chronograph

Jan 25, 2026 Vol. Volume 1: The "Shield and Crown" 33 plays
0:00 5:46

Show Notes

The release of the Tudor "Big Block" in 1976 (Ref. 9400 series).

- A massive sibling victory. Tudor released a self-winding (automatic) chronograph a full 12 years before Rolex released the automatic Zenith Daytona.

- They had to make the case thicker to fit the Valjoux 7750 rotor, earning it the nickname "Big Block."
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