Tudor - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

The brand Tudor, founded in 1926, is the fruit of the vision of Hans Wilsdorf, also founder of Rolex. His ambition was to create a watch that would offer the reliability and quality of Rolex, but at a more affordable price. So, from the start, Tudor positions itself as a manufacturer of quality watches at more accessible prices than those of the Rolex brand. This extremely clear DNA allows Tudor to position itself on innovation illustrated by its brand signature: “Born To Dare”.

History of the Tudor brand

From the 1950s, Tudor began to forge its own identity, although still associated with Rolex. In 1954, the brand launched the Oyster Prince Submariner model, affirming its position in diving watches. This watch featured exceptional water resistance, making it particularly popular with professional divers and water sports enthusiasts.

The 1960s and 1970s were marked by the development of partnerships with professional organizations. Tudor watches have been chosen by the French Navy and the US Navy, attesting to their robustness and reliability. The launch of the Tudor Prince Oysterdate Chronograph model, more commonly known as the "Big Block", in the 1970s is another important milestone for the brand. It was the first automatic chronograph with a date, a technological feat for its time.

Since it was taken over by Rolex in 1936, Tudor focused until the 1970s on professional models from the Rolex professional collection. The 80s allowed the brand to begin to free itself from it without offering models that would mark history.

1952 - Tudor Prince
1954 - Tudor Submariner
1957 - Tudor Advisor
1963 - Tudor Ranger
1991 - Tudor Monarch
1999 - Tudor Hydronaut
2012 - Tudor Pelagos
2012 - Tudor Black Bay
2015 - Tudor North Flag
2019 - Tudor Black Bay P01
2020 - Tudor Black Bay 58
2021 - Tudor Pelagos FXD
2023 - Tudor Black Bay 54
2023 - Tudor Black Bay FXD Chronographe
2024 - Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT

2012 is undoubtedly a year. Important in the history of the brand with the launch of the Tudor Heritage Black Bay which will become the spearhead of the brand with a successful identity and variations increasingly popular with watchmaking enthusiasts.

Today, Tudor is recognized as a brand in its own right, producing around 300,000 watches each year, most of which are certified COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing) or METAS, an independent Swiss label created by the Federal Institute of Metrology.

What are the main models of the Tudor brand?

Tudor Black Bay

The Tudor Black Bay is the timeless symbol of adventure, featuring a stainless steel case ranging from 31 to 41 mm, water resistance up to 20 ATM, a bracelet available in leather or steel, a mechanical self-winding MT5602 movement, a deep black dial adorned with luminous indexes and a unidirectional rotating bezel inspired by diving. The Tudor Black Bay is closely associated with the brand ambassador, David Beckham, who with his international career as a footballer and fashion icon, reflects the very essence of this watch: a perfect fusion of performance and style.

Tudor Black Bay 58

The Tudor Black Bay 58 is an ode to the golden age of diving, featuring a 39mm steel case, 660 feet water resistance, a leather, fabric or steel strap, an MT5402 mechanical movement, a vintage black dial with luminous markings and a unidirectional rotating bezel. Launched in 2020 in a steel version on a black dial, the Tudor Black Bay 58 or “ BB58 » was quickly declined in blue then in noble materials such as gold, bronze or silver with the Tudor Black Bay 58 925.

The phenomenal success of the BB58 is undoubtedly behind the launch in 2023 of the Tudor Black Bay 54 also nicknamed "BB54".

Tudor Black Bay GMT

The Tudor Black Bay GMT allows reading of several time zones with a 41 mm steel case, 20 ATMwater resistance, a steel, leather or fabric bracelet, an MT5652 mechanical movement, a black dial with a distinct red GMT hand and a rotating two-tone bezel. It is available in several versions, including a black or opaline dial.

Tudor Black Bay Pro

The Tudor Black Bay Pro is a professional diver's watch equipped with a 42 mm steel case, an impressive water resistance of 500 meters, a steel or rubber bracelet, a high precision mechanical movement, a black dial with a bezel fixed graduated over 24 hours to allow the reading of a second time zone like the Tudor Black Bay GMT. This Black Bay Pro recalls the popular design of the Rolex Explorer II reference 1655 nicknamed “Freccione”

Tudor Black Bay Chrono

The Tudor Black Bay Chrono merges the maritime heritage of the Black Bay with the world of the chronograph. Featuring a 41 mm steel case, 20 ATM water resistance, a steel or leather bracelet, a mechanical movement, a dial with two counters and a fixed tachymeter bezel.

Tudor Black Bay P01

The Tudor Black Bay P01 is inspired by prototypes developed for the US Navy in the 1960s. It features a distinctive 42mm steel case, 660 feet water resistance, hybrid rubber strap, mechanical movement, black dial with bidirectional bezel and a unique fixing system.

Tudor Pelagos

The Tudor Pelagos is a watch designed for the ocean depths, offering a robust 42mm titanium case, remarkable water resistance up to 500 meters, a titanium bracelet, a mechanical self-winding MT5612 movement, a dial available in black or blue with luminous indexes, and a unidirectional rotating bezel with precision designed for diving. Due to its advanced diving features, including a helium valve, the Tudor Pelagos has become a favorite choice among professional divers and sports watch enthusiasts across the world.

It is interesting to note that Tudor has released the Pelagos in 39mm and without a helium valve in order to target a more urban, unisex clientele with little interest in scuba diving.

Tudor Pelagos FXD

The Tudor Pelagos FXD evokes robustness and adventure, with a 42 mm steel case, 20 ATM of water resistance, a fabric or leather strap, a mechanical movement, a refined dial for optimal readability, and mountings on the middle for secure wearing . This FXD is the result of a partnership with the French Navy, celebrating more than 50 years of close relations between the brand and the Navy. Tudor having been a supplier to the French Navy with Tudor Submariners during the 60s and 70s.

Tudor Heritage Chrono

The Tudor Heritage Chrono is a tribute to vintage chronographs, with a 42 mm stainless steel case, water resistance up to 150 meters, either a fabric or steel bracelet, a mechanical self-winding 2892 movement, a dynamic dial with various colors and counters , and a fixed bezel marked by a tachymeter scale. The Heritage Chrono draws inspiration from Tudor models of the 1970s, and its retro design has captured the imagination of collectors and watch enthusiasts eager to relive the golden age of watch design.

Tudor Ranger

The Tudor Ranger is inspired by exploration and in particular the British North Greenland Expedition which took place in the early 1950s. Tudor seized the opportunity to test the robustness of its Tudor Oyster Prince and provided several models to the members of the expedition. The first time that the Ranger name appeared on a professional Tudor dates back to 1963. Several versions will see the light of day until the launch of the new Tudor ranger 2022 offering a 41 mm steel case, water resistance up to 150 meters, a bracelet in leather or steel, a mechanical movement, a dial with luminous Arabic numerals and distinctive hands.

Tudor Advisor

The Tudor Advisor is the modern answer to the original Tudor Advisor launched in 1957, featuring a 42mm steel case, water resistance up to 10 ATM feet, a leather or steel bracelet, a mechanical movement with an alarm complication, and a delicately structured dial offering clear reading of functions.

Tudor 1926

The Tudor 1926 celebrates the brand's founding year, offering a steel case available in several sizes, water resistance up to 10 ATM, a steel bracelet, a mechanical movement, a refined dial with a guilloche pattern and diamond indexes for touch of sophistication.

Tudor Glamour Day+Date

The Tudor Glamour Day+Date is a blend of functionality and elegance, featuring a sophisticated steel case, suitable water resistance, a leather or steel bracelet, a mechanical movement, a dial with a day and date window, echoing the grandeur of classic watches with a contemporary twist.

Tudor Royal

The Tudor Royal is the epitome of everyday elegance with a steel case available in multiple sizes, water resistance up to 10 ATM, distinctive integrated steel bracelet, automatic movement and signature fluted bezel. There Tudor Royal 38 And Tudor Royal 41 are the two main models offering variations of dials and indexes.

Tudor Clair de Rose

The Tudor Clair de Rose is a celebration of femininity, with a delicate steel case, water resistance adapted to everyday life, a steel or leather bracelet, a mechanical movement, a refined dial with rose-shaped hands, offering timeless elegance for women.

How much does a Tudor watch cost?

Prices for new Tudor watches change every year, but most Tudor models cost between € 3,000 and € 5,000. For example, a Tudor Black Bay 36 costs €3,930, while a Tudor Black Bay 58 in 18k yellow gold costs over €18,000. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to find Tudor watches that are often unavailable in the brand's approved distribution network.

Tudor: An irresistible rise alongside the brand to the crown!

Tudor has carved out a special place for itself in the global watchmaking landscape. While sharing its DNA with Rolex, the brand has developed its own character, combining robustness, aesthetics and innovation. Tudor's flagship models, such as the Black Bay or the Pelagos, reflect precise watchmaking know-how, combining performance and elegance. Tudor is no longer just a sub-brand of Rolex. It is an entity in its own right, which, through the ages, has been able to reinvent itself to seduce the hearts of watch lovers around the world, allowing it to be part of the ranking of Top 10 most popular Swiss watch brands.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a watch combining the prestige of a great watchmaking company and remarkable value for money, Tudor is undoubtedly a choice to consider. Although the official Tudor website presents a plethora of information on their collections, the Dialicious Owners' Reviews can prove to be a valuable guide in your decision-making process.

(Updated September 2024)