Tudor

Wristwatches from Tudor are highly coveted by watch enthusiasts. This is true for both their current and vintage models. Since its foundation, Tudor's main focus has been on high-quality craftsmanship and using precise movements. They have long since stepped out of Rolex's shadow and have been creating luxury watches at a level on par with the world's most famous watch manufacturers.

Watch fans know they are getting a first-class timepiece with outstanding value for money if they purchase a Tudor. This makes Tudor watches a good entry point into the world of luxury watch collecting. Pre-owned and rare vintage watches are so popular among collectors today that the prices have risen drastically in recent years. A timepiece that would have been a bargain in the 1980s now often costs several thousand euros.

Tudor offers numerous retro watches with designs inspired by the manufacturer's historic models in their Heritage collection. The catalog includes diving watches that are water resistant to 200 m (20 bar), sporty and simple three-hand watches, and functional chronographs. This line only needed a few years to develop into the Genevan manufacturer's flagship collection and is especially popular among watch fans.

Tudor tool watches endeavor to be scientific instruments with a modern look. The so-called "tool watches" include the Pelagos and the North Flag, which have begun to feature in-house movements and are regarded as robust and reliable. The diving watch Pelagos is made of light and durable titanium and is water resistant to 500 m (50 bar). It is available with a black dial and bezel or a blue dial and bezel. The crown of the LHD model ("Left Hand Drive") is on the left side and is geared toward left-handed customers who like to wear their watch on their right wrist.

Thanks to the helium escape valve, the Pelagos is also suitable for professional saturation diving. The helium escape valve prevents any damage from excess pressure building up during decompression. The patented folding clasp on the titanium bracelet is ideal for divers since it automatically adjusts the bracelet's length to the size of the wetsuit. When the pressure increases underwater, the wetsuit is compressed and the band shortens. As pressure is released, the suit expands and the band lengthens. Every complete set also includes an additional rubber strap. A pre-owned Tudor Pelagos diving watch costs around 2,500 euros, while those in mint condition start at 3,000 euros.

The understated North Flag is inspired by the reliability of Tudor watches worn by participants of the British North Greenland Expedition in the 1950s. The stainless steel case on the 40-mm North Flag is entirely satin-brushed and has an angular design, underlining its scientific nature. The double bezel made of stainless steel and ceramic integrates seamlessly with the design of this functional watch. The in-house movement MT5621 is certified as a chronometer, shows the date at 3 o'clock, and features a power reserve display at 9 o'clock. You can buy pre-owned models starting around 2,000 euros and models in mint condition for 2,300 euros.

In addition to numerous retro and sports watches, Tudor also offers classically elegant women's and men's watches, which match especially well with a business suit or evening wear. The Style collection is made up of simple three-hand watches with designs reminiscent of traditional wristwatches from the 1950s through the 1970s. A majority of the watches are made of stainless steel, though there are also bicolor variants in stainless steel and yellow gold. For the bands, Tudor utilizes leather, stainless steel, and steel and gold in their bicolor variant. The case diameters currently range from 28 mm to 41 mm, meaning there are watches suited for both men and women. Medium-sized models from 34 mm to 38 mm are also suitable as unisex watches. You can purchase a stainless steel Tudor Style in mint condition with a leather strap for as little as 1,600 euros. If you have your eye on a mint-condition bicolor model with a metal bracelet, you should set aside around 2,300 euros.

Tudor sells glamorous women's watches in their Glamour series. Highlights from this line have 11 diamonds for the hour markers and a diamond encrusted bezel. One of these bicolor watches is 31 mm in diameter and costs about 4,300 euros. Men's watches include the 39-mm Date-Day, whose day display at 12 o'clock is reminiscent of the Rolex Day-Date, and the 42-mm Double Date with a large date display beneath 12 o'clock and a small seconds dial at 6 o'clock. You can buy the latter in mint condition starting at about 2,000 euros. You can get a new Date-Day for only 1,700 euros. A pre-owned Rolex Day-Date costs at least 4,600 euros, while one in mint condition costs around 15,000 euros.

The Classic is yet another classically elegant Tudor collection featuring watches in various sizes for both men and women. The current 41-mm model contains separate day and date displays, as seen in the Date-Day, and has top models embellished with diamonds. The 28-mm women's watch also has diamonds. Most watches have a metal bracelet, which is also available in a bicolor variant. Some versions have a ridged yellow gold bezel and a stainless steel case. A new stainless steel Tudor Classic costs around 1,800 euros, whereas bicolor versions with diamonds are around 5,000 euros.

Tudor's beginnings reach all the way back to the year 1926. Rolex's founder Hans Wilsdorf was responsible for founding the Genevan company. Wilsdorf's goal from the beginning was to manufacture reliable watches that were more affordable than the comparable Rolex models. To achieve this, original Rolex parts, such as the Oyster case or Oyster band, were used for many years. For their movement, Tudor relied on less expensive alternatives from suppliers like ETA, which still supplies them to this day. However, movements developed in-house and manufactured in Genevan production halls have been used since 2015.

The brand name Tudor is taken from the eponymous royal family, which sat on the English throne from 1485 to 1603. The logo is the Tudor rose from the family crest, which was later framed by a shield. Together they symbolize the unity of strength and aesthetics. Today, the shield and the inscription "Tudor Geneve" embellish the dials of both women's and men's watches.