Tudor was created in Geneva, Switzerland 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf. Does this name sound familiar? Well that’s because Hans was also the founder of Rolex. He wanted to create a more affordable brand which still produced high quality watches, hence the birth of Tudor. In the beginning, Rolex guaranteed the quality of the Tudor watches and Rolex parts were even used to make the watches too which is why on some very old Tudor’s the word “Rolex” can be seen on the dial.

 

In 1936 the Tudor brand was becoming more established so the Tudor rose logo made its way onto the dial which consisted of a rose within a shield. This logo was said to symbolize the invincible union of strength – the watch’s robustness – with grace – the beauty of its lines. 1946 saw the “Montres TUDOR S.A.” company established as Hans wanted to move Tudor away from Rolex and form a strong identity of its own. To do this Hans started specialising in models for both men and women. A couple years later, the first Tudor adverts were launched however Rolex was still clearly featured showing the two still had a strong association.

 

The 50s saw the launch of the Tudor Oyster Prince which was their first big break. This watch marked the start of Tudors venture into robust sporty watches rather than delicate dress watches which was the norm at the time. When the Oyster Prince was released Hans said: “I have decided that the TUDOR Prince deserves to share with Rolex two advantages I would allow no other watch to use – the famous and unique waterproof Oyster case and the original self-winding Perpetual ’rotor’ mechanism. All TUDOR Oyster Princes will have these two exceptional features, previously exclusive to Rolex”.

 

26 TUDOR Oyster Princes were included in the British scientific expedition to Greenland organised by the Royal Navy. The brand had proved its strength, reliability and precision. To prove their robustness and endurance even further, Rolex launched a campaign in 1953 showing the Tudor Oyster Princes’ performance in difficult conditions including: “watch worn by a coal miner during 252 hours of excavation by hand, watch subjected to the vibrations of a pneumatic drill for 30 hours, watch worn by a stonecutter for three months, watch worn for a month while riveting metal girders in building construction, watch worn by a motorbike racer over a distance of 1,000 miles.”.

 

This successfully showcased the strength, precision, efficient winding, and waterproofness as soon after the US Navy Seals and the French Navy began giving Tudor watches to their divers. In 1969 Tudor became the brand we still know and love today when the rose was removed from the logo, leaving just the shield - a symbol of solidity and unfailing reliability. 

 

Types of Tudor watches

Tudor currently has 6 collections consisting of: Black Bay, Royal, 1926, Ranger, Pelagos, and Clair De Rose. The Black Bay and Pelagos are probably the two most popular collections of the six. The Tudor Black Bay is an amalgamation of Tudors dive watches since the 1950s. The Black Bay is known for being one of the most durable diving watches on the market whilst still being stylish and attractive. The Pelagos has been named the ultimate divers’ watch as well as been awarded the “Sports Watch” prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. This collection provides a classic divers’ watch fit for the French Navy whilst still being modern and sleek enough to be worn as the perfect accessory to any look.

 

Why buy a Tudor watch

Tudor watches benefit from Rolex’s superior quality and watchmaking knowledge but are much more affordable and accessible. Tudor’s also use their own in-house movements which are COSC-certified meaning they have been rigorously tested for upmost precision and reliability. Tudor combines modern with retro to produce watch which have a unique style whilst being some of the most durable watches on the market.

 

How to care for a Tudor watch

Tudor watches are very low-maintenance however to keep your watch looking as good as new here is how you should clean it. Make sure that the winding crown is screwed-down properly, then rub your watch gently with a microfiber cloth or a soft brush and soapy water. Finally, rinse with fresh water. After exposing your watch to the sea or chlorinated water, you should thoroughly rinse with fresh water. It’s recommended that your Tudor watch gets serviced every 10 years

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Tudor watches good quality?

Tudor watches are known for being extremely reliable and durable hence why they have been used by the US & French Navy. Benefitting from Rolex’s expert watchmaking tips and tricks, Tudor watches are amazing quality.

 

Is Tudor the same as Rolex?

No, although both were founded by Hans Wilsdorf. Tudor was founded 21 years after Rolex as a more affordable sister company. Today Rolex and Tudor share headquarters in Geneva and are both owned by the Hans Wilsdorf foundation but are very much their own independent brands.

 

Do Tudor use Rolex movements?

Both Rolex and Tudors’ movements are made by the Rolex group, however the ones used for Tudor watches are simpler than those that Rolex use which is why they are able to lower the price point.

 

Where are Tudor watches made?

Tudor watches are made in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Are Tudor watches luxury?

Yes, they are considered a luxury brand due to the excellent quality materials, Swiss craftmanship, and value for money.

 

Are Tudor watches COSC-certified?

Yes, Tudor watches are COSC certified.

 

Are Tudor watches worth the price?

Yes, as mentioned Tudor watches are COSC-certified ensuring that they are some of the most precise and reliable watches on the market. They can be used by professionals due to their advanced technology and durability or as dress watches thanks to their timeless retro look.