Tudor Watches was born out of Geneva, Switzerland in 1926 when Hans Wilsdorf, the mind behind Rolex, decided he wanted to create a sister brand at a more affordable price point. After its inception, Tudor gained significance due to its relation to Rolex, but it also built a reputation for its distinct attention to detail and versatile qualities. What began as the go-to watch for both the French and U.S. Navy has now become a luxury staple amongst star athletes and even business professionals. In the latest installment of Behind the Hype, Hypebeast recognizes the unique history of Tudor Watches and dissects how the brand managed to stand out from the shadow of Rolex to become a mainstay amongst timepiece aficionados.
Tudor Watches were first put on the map due to the Oyster Prince Submariner Diving Watch which debuted in 1954. The utilitarian timepiece was issued with water resistance up to 100m as well as both automatic and manual movements. It became largely popular with the U.S. and French Navy and professional scuba divers for its ease of use and dependability — its function was even deemed “perfect” by the commander of the Underwater Study and Research Group (Groupement d’Étude et de Recherches Sous-Marine) in 1956. After establishing supremacy in the diving watch realm, the brand went on to create a wide range of other diving models from 1954 to 1999, each constantly improving upon the last. The most famous submariner model to date is the Reference 9401, or the Tudor Blue, which sports an opulent blue dial and bezel. The popularity the brand garnered from original diving models opened the door for a new generation of Tudor Watches.
$4,100 USD.
Along with an assortment of choices to suit one’s lifestyle, what truly sets Tudor apart in the watch game are its high-quality features. In 2015, the brand took its standards one step further by shifting to a production process with movements made in-house. This yielded the Manufacture Calibre, a precise, high-performance Calibre characterized by a 70-hour power reserve and a variable inertia oscillator. The movement is additionally certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. Each model has its own variation of the Tudor Manufacture Calibre, some of which are larger in diameter or bear special engravings. Even the aesthetic choices of Tudor watches became more elevated, as the Heritage Chrono features a metal bracelet paired with straps woven by French manufacturer Julien Faure company, known for working with Chanel. The company uses a Jacquard weaving pattern, ensuring dependability and sturdiness through a dense high thread count.
Over decades, Tudor has made a name for itself as both a sports and style-focused brand that stands apart from the rest. Practical features assist in performance, while top-notch stylistic features cement the timepieces as luxury fashion collector’s items.
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