Weaving throughout TUDOR’s rich history in manufacturing some of the world’s most iconic luxury watches, are tales of elegance, enduring styles, functionality and precision. The brand is inexorably linked to the year 1926 when the official TUDOR brand name was registered. From there onwards, the company carved out a narrative of its own. From its embryonic stages, right through to the most recent of designs, TUDOR watches have always had a design language and functional ethos of their own. A language that speaks of illustrious models like the Black Bay, the Pelagos and the TUDOR Royal.
TUDOR was never just another luxury watch brand. As the brainchild of Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, its timepieces not only drew from the impeccable quality of its sister brand but also from its own identity. The brand’s tangible masterpieces are a testament to the lineage that has been forged from TUDOR’s very own path in creativity and innovation. The ambitions of the brand have stood tall from the very beginning – to create timepieces that offered the same quality and craftsmanship synonymous with Rolex but at a more affordable and accessible price point.
At the very beginning, TUDOR’s first wristwatches echoed the nuanced spirit of its sibling brand, but before long, enthusiasts were beginning to see the brand’s burgeoning sense of identity shine through. They provided a glimpse into the future and an insight into what the brand could be capable of. Thus came the birth of the Oyster case. It was a monumental leap in the watchmaking sphere. The adaption of the Oyster case from Rolex accentuated TUDOR’s aesthetics further. The hermetically sealed case was not just an upgrade but a declaration of the brand’s true potential and a symbol of evolution.
The TUDOR Submariner soon followed in the 1950s, with its own tale to tell. Designed as a tool for professional divers, its rugged aesthetics and technical prowess were an instant hit. The Snowflake hands which emerged in the 1960s weren’t just a stylistic whim, either. They were used and appreciated by the French Navy, enhancing legibility in challenging low-light conditions. These hands soon became iconic, however, and have formed the DNA of the TUDOR Black Bay watch.
The re-branding of TUDOR, although still rooted firmly in its storied past, marked a refreshing of the brand’s logo and materials in 2009. Following this was the launch of the Black Bay – TUDOR’s most collectable timepiece to date. Its “Born to Dare” campaign signified everything important in the company’s ethos. A bold, distinct approach to watchmaking and an affection for neo-vintage dive watches.
The TUDOR Black Bay watch, which launched in 2012, has evolved and grown with time. Still, its distinctive features like the Snowflake hands, a legible dial and unidirectional rotating bezel are all still intact. These unique retro-inspired wristwatches are powered by a Manufacture movement and feature ceramic bezels in various colours that are perfect for measuring elapsed time underwater. TUDOR also applies its know-how to its range of Pelagos watches. These similar-looking designs are even more capable aquatically while the Ranger watch collection is geared towards extreme exploration. On the other hand, the TUDOR Royal watch series is where you’ll find a range of luxury dress watches for all those special occasions in life. This leaves the 1926 collection, offering up its classic aesthetics for all eventualities.
