The three-register chronographs of Rolex Day Date Replica have been, unfairly, referred to as the forgotten watches, or the unsung heroes. But, I'd argue that they're among the most exciting and innovative watches in the brand's back catalog!
(From left) Rolex Day Date Replica Big Block references.panerai luminor replica 79170 and 1979160 both with black dials and white subdials; rare Albino ref. 79180; The ref. 94210 Monte Carlo Big Block
(The latter two were kindly loaned to me by David Duggan).
Rolex Day Date Replica's third series was the "Big Blocks", which were its third series of chronographs. The Big Blocks' first launch was in 1976. There were many obvious aesthetic differences from previous chronographs. The most notable feature was the addition of an hour indicator to the chronograph register. Rolex Day Date Replica adopted a new Valjoux 7750 movement, which was modified by Rolex Day Date Replica to meet its high standards.sinn replica Also, the Valjoux 7750 had a quick-set function that saved time after wearing it for a while. We've all experienced the "joy” of setting a slow-set date. However, the most significant development was the introduction an automatic movement. This made these watches the first selfwinding chronographs of the Wilsdorf group. It's more than a decade since Rolex introduced the first automatic Daytona chronograph. Rolex Day Date Replica was the first Swiss manufacturer of chronographs to introduce an automatic movement. This was a major coup for Rolex Day Date Replica. This new innovation is what gave the watches their nickname. Because of the self-winding mechanism, rotor and dial, the watch's case had to be extremely deep. This led to the term "Big Block" by collectors.
The Valjoux 7750 watch (Image (c), Rolex Day Date Replicawatch.com).
The 9400 series was the first Big Block watch. The 9400 was made up of three distinct references, distinguished by three different bezel options.
9420 with acrylic bezel for tachymeter (as per refs. 7031 and 7149, respectively;
9421 with 12-hour calibrated, bi-directional bezel
9430 with steel tachymeter bezel.
Big Block' ref. 9420 with Bakelite Tachymeter Bezel
Rolex Day Date Replica Big Block ref. Rolex Day Date Replica Big Block ref.
1989 Big Block
Chronograph
Ref. 79170 (Image (c) Revolution)
Rolex catalogues listed the Big Blocks as Oysterdates.replica watches However, the very first dials featured only the words "Chrono Time" and "Automatic – Chrono Time" in an arch over the bottom of the chronograph register.
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1989 Big Block
Chronograph
Ref. 79170
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The introduction of Big Blocks followed the "Homeplate" or "Monte Carlo", colorful dials that were featured in the first two chronograph series. They are a more subtle "Daytona-esque," dial. Most often, they come with either black subdials or silver/white subdials. These dials had applied hour markers with beveled/sloping edges. The dial's date aperture featured a painted window and the chrono registers had an inner section that was raised,Rolex Day Date Replica giving it a three-dimensional appearance. This dial was used for nearly 20 years. Exotic-dialed Big Blocks in the 9000 series were also available (also known as "Big Block Monte Carlos").
