Comparing The Tudor Monte Carlo Chronograph Old And New

Collector’s Guides • 10 Oct 2015

Comparing The Tudor Monte Carlo Chronograph Old And New


In terms of vintage re-editions, Tudor is certainly one of the leading brands, and one of the best examples is the Heritage Chrono Ref. 7033N. This is a faithful reissue of the vintage Tudor 7033/0 Oyster Date Chronograph, nicknamed “Monte-Carlo”. The old and new are very close in terms of design and styling, however there are some differences that deserve to be explained.

At first sight, the case and the bracelet of the vintage “Monte-Carlo” and the Heritage Chrono Ref. 7033N are very close. However, while the Monte-Carlo measures 39mm (a huge diameter at the time of its introduction, in 1970), the new one has a 42mm case. A bit bigger, and a bit more contemporary ‘heft’. Design-wise, we found the same details: chamfered edges, polished flanks, 3-link Oyster type bracelet and brushed flat surfaces.

The vintage Tudor “Monte-Carlo” has a 39mm case and brushed flat surfaces.
The vintage Tudor “Monte-Carlo” has a 39mm case and brushed flat surfaces.

The bezel of both the old and new one, has an aluminium insert, is bi-directional and features a 12-hour scale. However, while the vintage one is notched on the periphery, the Heritage Chrono has a honeycomb pattern. Same remark for the screwed pushers: notched on the vintage one and with a honeycomb pattern on the modern one. However, the vintage Monte-Carlo ref. 7033/0 (with 12-hour insert) that clearly inspired the modern Tudor Heritage Chrono never went beyond the prototype stage.

While the bezel of the vintage Tudor “Monte-Carlo” is notched on the periphery, the Tudor Heritage Chrono has a honeycomb pattern.
While the bezel of the vintage Tudor “Monte-Carlo” is notched on the periphery, the Tudor Heritage Chrono has a honeycomb pattern.

The dial of the modern Heritage Chrono Ref. 7033N undeniably takes great inspiration of the vintage Monte-Carlo, with the same pentagon-shaped indexes (painted on the vintage while applied on the modern one), the same hands, the same 60-minute outer ring with orange numerals and a bi-compax layout. Even the sub-dials share this same graphic design. The date is located at 6 on both editions, however with date-magnifier (alike Rolex) on the vintage one, while the modern Heritage Chrono is without the magnifier.

The dial of the modern Tudor Heritage Chrono has the same pentagon-shaped index as the vintage Tudor “Monte-Carlo”.
The dial of the modern Tudor Heritage Chrono has the same pentagon-shaped index as the vintage Tudor “Monte-Carlo”.

Also movement-wise there are some differences. The Tudor Heritage Chrono Ref. 7033N features a self-winding ETA 2892/A2, with a Dubois-Depraz chronograph module on top; a modern modular movement. The vintage Monte-Carlo came with a hand-wound Valjoux 233, the date-edition of the famous column-wheel operated Valjoux 23.

Visually the vintage ‘Monte Carlo’ and new Heritage Chrono are quite close, and even on closer inspection you can only find a few minor changes to make the watch more contemporary. Similar with the movement, that was upgraded from a very fine hand-wound chronograph, to a convenient automatically wound model that is equally robust.

Visually the vintage Tudor “Monte Carlo” and new Tudor Heritage Chrono are quite close with a few minor changes to make the watch more contemporary.
Visually the vintage Tudor “Monte Carlo” and new Tudor Heritage Chrono are quite close with a few minor changes to make the watch more contemporary.

 

The Hour Glass is a proud retailer of Tudor.

Tags: hour glass hour glass singapore the hour glass tudor tudor singapore tudor watch tudor watch singapore


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