Football manager Fatih Terim spotted wearing a Tudor

During a recent YouTube appearance answering questions from international journalists and reporters, legendary football manager Fatih Terim wore a stainless-steel Tudor Prince Date Chronograph Ref. 79280 on a black leather strap positioned on his right wrist. The striking red dial immediately distinguishes this chronograph as one of Tudor's most visually distinctive sports watches, a testament to Terim's decades-long reputation for refined taste and understated confidence.

The Tudor Prince Date Chronograph Ref. 79280 represents the company's answer to scaled-down chronograph design. Internally, it houses the robust Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement—the same calibre that powered the earlier Tudor Prince Date Chronograph 'Big Block' when it debuted in 1979, making it nearly ten years ahead of Rolex's in-house chronograph solutions within the Wilsdorf Group. The case measures approximately 40mm in diameter, smaller and more wearable than its 'Big Block' predecessor, justifying its 'Small Block' designation among collectors. The red dial configuration with applied indices and three chronograph subdials—running seconds, 30-minute totalizer, and 12-hour totalizer—remains highly legible. The date window sits at 3 o'clock. Water resistance reaches 100 metres, suitable for everyday wear despite its chronograph complications.

Ref. 79280 examples typically feature fixed endlinks welded directly to the lugs, a construction method designed specifically for leather-strap attachment and visible on Terim's example. This detail, shared with certain vintage Rolex Daytona references, prevents the bracelet from sliding laterally and reflects period manufacturing philosophy. The 'Small Block' Tudor chronograph remains highly regarded among vintage sports-watch enthusiasts for its proportional case design, legible dial, and reliable movement—qualities that have sustained collector demand across decades.

Terim's choice of this particular Tudor chronograph reflects his known preference for vintage and heritage timepieces paired with a practical sensibility. His decision to wear it on the right wrist, as documented over his career, underscores a personal habit earned through professional experience. The pairing of a storied football manager with a storied Wilsdorf Group chronograph carries quiet significance within watch circles.

Vintage Tudor Prince Date Chronograph Ref. 79280 examples typically command grey-market prices between 8,000 and 12,000 USD depending on condition, dial preservation, and service history. Original examples with clean dials and complete documentation remain competitive, reflecting steady collector appetite for Valjoux 7750-powered chronographs that predate mainstream interest in vintage sports watches.