THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: TUDOR
MODEL: 7159/0
YEAR: 1974
BOX/PAPERS: YES/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 40mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

When you look at the Daytona's from the 70's, their beauty lies in their simplicity, the sub dials are cleanly laid out and the dials aren't too busy (bar the exotic dial of course), with the Tudor variants, its as if the design team at Rolex let loose their creative side. Oh we are glad they did.

Since the Chronographs inception in 1970, its remained a pillar of the Tudor production line, the first 7000 series of watches being the most iconic and aptly named 'Monte Carlo' because of the sub registers resemblance to the Roulette tables in Monaco. 

This iteration, the 7159 comes with a steel tachymeter bezel instead of the bakelite insert, the movement was upgraded over the previous 'Home Plate' series to a Valjoux 234 calibre, which was the first to feature a non-cam driven chronograph and a higher beat rate. The other cool nuance on this watch are the square crown guards, although slightly different to the original versions seen on the earliest 5512 Submariners, its a great feature none the less. 

The condition is exceptional, the bevelled lugs have been polished in the past but are still very full, the tritium plots and hands have aged well and with no cracking. The original 7836/380 folded link bracelet has full links and is in great condition.

This watch comes with everything except for its guarantee papers, although the supplementary booklet that accompanied it is still present. It was sold on Christmas Eve, 1976, in Kilmarnock. What a Xmas present that would have been. The box, booklets, swing tag with serial, wallet, calendar and Rolex cleaning cloth are all still present.