Tudor chronographs have consistently displayed a boldness in size and appearance that sets them apart from their Rolex counterparts. Notably, the brand's three-register chronographs, despite their innovative design, have often remained somewhat overlooked in the catalog. The "Small Block" marked Tudor's fourth chronograph family, making its debut in 1995, just a year prior to the brand's temporary withdrawal from the American market.
The Tudor Prince Date chronograph, reference 79260P, is widely recognized as one of the final classic vintage-style timepieces from the esteemed watchmaker, just before the onset of the brand's modern era. Featuring a downsized 40mm by 14mm "Big Block" case, it draws design inspiration from Tudor's earlier chronographs, bearing a closer resemblance to the Daytona, particularly in terms of case dimensions.
Within the extensive 79200 generation, the reference 79260P stands out as a notable choice. Diving into the reference number, this timepiece distinguishes itself as the sole Tudor chronograph within the group to sport a black aluminum bezel with a tachymeter scale, while others featured a stainless steel tachymeter or a rotating aluminum 12-hour bezel. With its brushed lugs (in contrast to the polished lugs on some 79200 Tudors), this particular watch possesses the subtle details that appeal to vintage-oriented collectors, complemented by the creature comforts of 1990s watchmaking.