Tudor: Watchmaker Models Review by NanaDC (2024)

Thinking of buying a Tudor watch?

I can remember the first time I bought mine, and 2 years since then, I don't ever regret it. I didn't get the Rolex, but I'd glad I didn't as I think this was a much better value (and gets more compliments from actual watch people).

To help you make your first purchase, I've created this review to talk about two essential elements:

1. Are Tudor watches that good?
2. The 5 best Tudor watches you can buy right now

Before we dive into an in-depth discussion about Tudor and their quality, let's go over the 5 Tudor watches you won't regret buying!

5 Tudor Watches You Can't Go Wrong With

Here we go:

Tudor Black Bay Bronze: Best Overall

The Tudor Black Bay Bronze is a charming beauty to have on your wrist.

When Tudor first released their Black Bay line, it was appealing enough to be a Tudor watch, but it wasn't so appealing you'd want to buy one.

Three years after the initial release, the Black Bay Bronze changed everything. What stood out was the larger case size at 43mm, a new bronze case material, and the in-house caliber movement (MT5601). [R]

I consider the Black Bay Bronze to be one of the most handsome watches ever manufactured by Tudor.

Looks-wise, the bronze frame truly sweetens the pot. Instead of the original black dial it originally had, you now have a subtle slate-grey dial to match the watch's warm bronze color.

As a diving watch, it's genuinely a timepiece you'll love right away: luminescent indexes, bronze-colored PVD stainless steel, water-resistant (200 m), and a unidirectional rotating bezel.

It's a proper diving watch with a magnetic appeal you'd be itching to buy after one look.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 5/5

• The hacking seconds feature and snowflake-inspired seconds and hour hands on this watch allow me to time intervals precisely against a reference time, ensuring that I never miss an important event or deadline.
• This Tudor heritage black Bay bronze watch is impressively robust and durable, and it features a larger case that fits well on my wrist, comparable to a Pella watch. I appreciate its stylish design and sturdy build quality, making it a reliable and long-lasting timepiece.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 5/5

• The rose gold accents and the patina'd bronze profile of this watch are truly stunning, and the color of the textile strap with its central striation complements the tobacco almost Adobe red of the dial perfectly. It's a beautiful and eye-catching timepiece.

Tudor Fastrider Chrono: Best Value

What's better than a Tudor watch? A Tudor watch with a chronograph function. Of course, not just any ordinary chronograph, but a Ducati Chrono design.

I have just two words to say about the Tudor Fastrider Chrono: Sporty & sexy.

The devil is in the details when it comes to this watch.

Sure, it's a sporty chronograph watch that may look similar to most watches that offer the same functionality, but what sets the Fastrider apart is its dial construction and case.

The quality of the Fastrider's steel case back is quite identical to the Rolex Oyster's back. Being one of Tudor's North Flag models, the Fastrider Chrono uses the same in-house movements as the Pelagos diver watch.

The MT5621 in-house caliber movement featured in the North Flag models is an impressive build that adds superior value.

Design-wise, you can choose between red, green, or yellow dials with red and yellow as racetrack color options and olive green for a more urban lifestyle look.

Its scratch-resistant ceramic bezel [R] and PVD crown are design elements also worth mentioning.

Finally, the black leather strap with its calf-like texture for a comfortable, snug fit and a power reserve of 46 hours complete the overall package of the Fastrider Chrono's design.

If you're looking for a great mid-range chronograph, the Tudor Fastrider Chrono watch is an excellent value pick.

Tudor 1926: Best Budget Pick

The Tudor 1926 collection is a watch that offers versatility as one of its many appealing qualities.

Apart from its affordable price point, the Tudor 1926 watch features 9 possible variants and 36 models in total to choose from. That's a bonus point if you want a watch with great customizable options.

Personally, I prefer the 41mm diamond-set dial with pink gold bezel. Other dimensions include 39mm, 36mm, or 28mm.

For the watch's case finish, you can choose either two-tone steel [R] or all-steel.

The Arabic numerals and textured dial also perfectly complement the watch's design, making it the kind of watch you can wear every day.

Additionally, it's 100m water-resistant, has 38 hours of power reserve, and is powered by the ETA 2824 automatic movement. [R]

All in all, the Tudor 1926 is a versatile watch perfect for nearly every occasion, be it work, casual wear, or an evening affair just after office hours.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 4/5

• The Tudor 1926's bracelet hugs my wrist nicely, providing both comfort and security. Its robustness and durability give me confidence in its ability to withstand everyday wear and tear.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 4/5

• As someone who appreciates the look and design of a watch, I found the Tudor 1926 to be very stylish and representative of the brand. The waffling on the dial, the silver letters, and the shield logo all make for an eye-catching design.

Tudor Heritage Advisor

Being one of the Tudor offers that provide a vintage, unique look, the Heritage Advisor is a watch appreciated by a selected few.

However, I believe it's worth including the Heritage Advisor. After all, it's the only one of its kind.

That's right. The Heritage Advisor is the only alarm watch ever manufactured by Tudor, apart from the original Advisor manufactured back in 1957.

Overall, the watch is straightforward, from setting the alarm to powering it on/off. I never understood, though, why most found the watch to be complex or confusing.

The neat features and dressy look make it ideal for wearing the Heritage Advisor for any formal occasion.

If you've seen the other Tudor Heritage watches, looking at the Heritage Advisor watch may feel a little awkward.

That's just the point, though. The Heritage Advisor is on a vintage league of its own. Additionally, you can choose between a leather or fabric strap, depending on your preferences.

With its 42mm case, titanium and steel case material, and in-house ETA 2892 movement, the Tudor Heritage Advisor is a sophisticated timepiece that easily falls as one of my favorites.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 4/5

• The Tudor heritage advisor watch boasts a crisp and secure deployment clasp with spring-loaded ceramic pin snaps to maintain tight tolerances over time.
• This water-resistant watch is perfect for swimming, provided you wear a water-resistant band, thanks to its 100-meter water resistance and tightly assembled clasp.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 4/5

• The reasonable size and wearability of this watch, despite its 42mm diameter and 14mm thickness, make it a comfortable and stylish choice for any occasion.
• The Tudor shield and clamshell locking system inside the case band of this watch are not only visually appealing but also add to the watch's durability and security.

Tudor Pelagos

As one of Tudor's crowd favorites and its amazing diving qualities, the Tudor Pelagos is one of the few tool watches many will love.

The Pelagos is a watch that represents the uniqueness of a Tudor watch and clearly separates it from Rolex watches.

That being said, the Pelagos is a watch you can genuinely appreciate once worn.

It's a professional timepiece that offers a smart and reliable look that makes it stand out from dive watches, tool watches, and lifestyle watches, in general.

The quality of its luminescent hands is also, by far, one of the best I've ever seen. Its 42mm titanium case has a water-resistance of up to 500 meters [R], making it an excellent pick for any modern diver.

It's also worth mentioning the watch case has an automatic helium release valve [R] and rotating diver's bezel.

These are qualities you don't often find in just any dive watch, and it's one of the reasons why the Tudor Pelagos makes for an exquisite timepiece.

Additionally, the Pelagos' movement, MT5612, features an impressive autonomy.

Overall, the meticulous, modern design of the Tudor Pelagos makes it the best choice for anyone who loves tool watches.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 4/5

• This watch is a great choice for divers like me as it features a gas escape valve and can withstand depths of up to 500 meters. Its durability is truly impressive, making it a more hardcore alternative to other dive watches in the market.
• The case of this watch is made of grade 2 titanium, a strong and robust material that cannot be polished. This feature serves as an indicator for watch enthusiasts, like myself, that it is a full set and always ready for any adventure.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 5/5

• This watch is perfect for me, as it fits perfectly on my wrist, which has a circumference of 16 centimeters. Its lightweight construction, made of titanium, rubber, sapphire, and ceramic, makes it sit comfortably on my wrist without weighing me down.
• I love the blue vulcanized rubber strap of this watch, with its matte finish and character lines molded onto the top tape. It complements the watch's design, making it a fashionable accessory as well as a practical timepiece.

Are Tudor Watches Any Good?

Before we can understand the quality Tudor offers, we need to take a brief trip down memory lane about the brand.

History

The Tudor brand started in 1926 by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf.

I'm sure you're already quite familiar with Rolex.

Rolex watches are known for their exquisite & stunning timepieces, in-house movements, premium price, and overall, their luxurious appeal.

Here's the thing, though. Rolex watches are damn expensive, as stunning as they are.

As a result, Hans Wilsdorf wanted to create a brand that featured the same quality, reliability, and precision as the Rolex brand except at an affordable price point.

Several decades after the Rolex brand already gained popularity, the Tudor brand was released featuring its in-house movements and design.

Rolex vs. Tudor

Since its initial release of the brand, most people referred to the Tudor watches as the poor man's Rolex.

However, the Tudor brand has grown immensely over the years to separate itself from what Rolex's watches offer.

Although Tudor offers similar case materials and designs as Rolex, the watches of Rolex use different in-house movements.

While Tudor offers Swiss ETA movements, Rolex offers in-house movements.

The Value of Tudor Watches

Although the Tudor brand features different in-house movements than Rolex, that doesn't mean it's any less in terms of quality and design.

In fact, some of Tudor's watches are even at par or even considerably better than some of Rolex's watches. Some of these include the Tudor (BB58) Black Bay 58, Pelagos, Oyster Prince

Submariner, etc.

The Tudor Black Bay is one of the best collections and, personally, one of the most handsome watches offered by the Tudor brand.

Tudor's watches offer high-quality, a solid build, affordability, and a well-finished design that make it one of the best luxury watches you can invest in today.

Although the watches are fairly pricey, but not as expensive as a Rolex. If you're looking for a new watch at an affordable price point, you can't go wrong with the value that Tudor watches provide.

Where to Buy Tudor Watches?

You can buy Tudor watches on Amazon or on their official site.

You'll find many online shops selling Tudor watches; however, we recommend you buy from Amazon for assured quality and to prevent any product scams.

How Much Are Tudor Watches Worth?

As a brand, Tudor is much younger and relatively newer to the market compared to Rolex.

Many might not have considered getting a Tudor as a new watch at first, but times have changed. The watches have risen in popularity, value, and quality combined. [R]

Significant models are worth as much as $30,000 to 40,000. However, the Tudor Black Bay models can go even higher, with one model that reached a total worth of $373,000 in a Monaco auction in 2015.

Where Are Tudor Watches Made?

All of Tudor's watches are 100% Swiss-made. All of the watch's parts are assembled and manufactured across various facilities in Switzerland.

As for the movements, the final assembly takes place in Tudor's headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.

Wrap Up

Tudor deserves praise as being one of the most well-respected brands among luxury watches today.

It's no longer a poor man's Rolex, nor should it be referred to as a baby Rolex anymore. It's on a league of class and quality on its own.

If you're looking for a high-quality luxury watch, I'd highly recommend getting a Tudor.