The world of luxury watches is often dominated by bold sports models and iconic names. Sometimes, it’s the understated pieces that leave the strongest impression. The Tudor Style Collection embodies the philosophy of delivering timeless elegance, everyday functionality, and excellent value in a refined package.
In this article, we’ll explore the history and design of Tudor Style watches, highlight their key features, and showcase some of the most popular references.
History and Background of the Tudor Style Collection
The Tudor Style line was introduced to bring a more classic and versatile dress watch into Tudor’s catalog, complementing its sportier offerings like the Black Bay and Pelagos. Drawing inspiration from vintage Tudor and Rolex designs of the mid-20th century, the collection reflects an era when slim, understated wristwatches were a staple of elegance.
It incorporates elements reminiscent of the Rolex Datejust and Oyster Perpetual, such as the fluted bezel and polished case surfaces. However, it distinguishes itself with subtle design touches and broader size options to suit both men and women.
The Tudor Style watches appeal to those who want handsome, timeless, and practical watches without venturing into the higher price brackets of Rolex.
Design Characteristics of Tudor Style Watches
At first glance, Tudor Style dress watches carry a clean, timeless look, but closer inspection reveals carefully considered details that elevate the design.
* Case Design: Available in a wide range of sizes, from 28mm to 41mm, the cases are slim enough to slide under a cuff yet solidly built to reflect Tudor’s reputation for durability. Surfaces can feature polished and satin finishes.
* Dial Details: The dials feature sunray finishes that catch light elegantly, paired with applied hour markers and dauphine hands for sharp legibility. Some models include diamond-set indices, adding a touch of luxury. A date window at the 3 o’clock position enhances practicality.
* Bezel Options: One of the most distinctive elements of the line is its Tudor fluted bezel variety. Buyers can choose between smooth, fluted, or Tudor’s signature double-bezel design, a rare detail that sets it apart from competitors.
* Bracelets and Straps: The collection offers both stainless steel bracelets and leather straps. The bracelet, with its polished center links, lends a more formal character, while leather straps add warmth and versatility.
Features and Functionality
The Tudor Style collection delivers practical features that make it more than just a dress timepiece.
* Movements: Most models are powered by reliable ETA automatic movements, known for accuracy and ease of servicing. While they don’t carry Tudor’s newer in-house calibers, these movements keep the watches accessible in price and straightforward in maintenance.
* Water Resistance: With a rating of up to 100 meters, the Tudor Style line surpasses the typical 30 to 50 meters found in many dress watches. This gives wearers the confidence to use the watch daily without worrying about incidental water exposure.
* Date Function: Nearly all Tudor Style watches include a date complication.
* Durability vs. Refinement: The watches manage to combine refined finishes with robust build quality. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, secure screw-down crown, and solid case construction make them capable of handling more than just boardrooms and formal dinners.
Popular Tudor Style Watches
Here is a list of 10 popular Tudor style watches:
Tudor Black Bay 58
Named for the year 1958, when Tudor introduced its first divers' watch, the Black Bay 58 is a fan favorite. It offers a more vintage-inspired and wearable fit compared to the standard 41mm Black Bay.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: 39 mm
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Material: Stainless steel
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Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5402 (COSC-certified)
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Power Reserve: 70 hours
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Water Resistance: 200 meters
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Bracelet Options: Steel, leather, or fabric
Key Features
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Vintage-inspired design with a slim profile
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Domed sapphire crystal and gilt accents
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Unidirectional rotatable bezel with anodized aluminum insert
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Snowflake hands for enhanced legibility
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $4,725 USD
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Pre-Owned: Prices range from $2,560 to $3,500 USD
Tudor Black Bay
The original and flagship of the collection, the Black Bay features a 41mm case and boasts a prominent vintage aesthetic. known for its "snowflake" hands and a large screw-down crown, it's a modern classic that helped re-establish Tudor as a major player in the watch industry.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: 41 mm
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Material: Stainless steel
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Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5612 (COSC-certified)
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Power Reserve: 70 hours
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Water Resistance: 200 meters
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Bracelet Options: Steel, leather, or fabric
Key Features
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Robust dive watch with a vintage aesthetic
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Rotatable bezel with aluminum insert
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Snowflake hands and large crown for easy grip
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Versatile design suitable for both diving and daily wear
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $3,500 to $4,000 USD
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Pre-Owned: Prices typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 USD
Tudor Pelagos
The Pelagos is about modern-day technical performance. It's a professional-grade dive watch made from lightweight titanium with a water resistance of 500m. The Pelagos is a "tool watch" through and through, designed for serious divers.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: 42 mm
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Material: Titanium
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Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5612 (COSC-certified)
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Power Reserve: 70 hours
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Water Resistance: 500 meters
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Bracelet Options: Titanium bracelet or rubber strap
Key Features
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Lightweight yet durable titanium construction
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Helium escape valve for saturation diving
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Unidirectional rotatable bezel with ceramic insert
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Integrated clasp with extension system for wetsuits
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $4,400 USD
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Pre-Owned: Typically ranges from $3,100 to $4,400 USD
Tudor Black Bay GMT
This model adds a GMT function to the Black Bay family, allowing the wearer to track a second time zone. It is easily identifiable by its two-tone bezel, often referred to as a "Pepsi" bezel (blue and red) or "Coke" bezel (black and red), which is a nod to iconic GMT watches of the past.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: 41 mm
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Material: Stainless steel
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Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5652 (COSC-certified)
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Power Reserve: 70 hours
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Water Resistance: 200 meters
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Bracelet Options: Steel, leather, or fabric
Key Features
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Dual-time zone functionality with 24-hour rotating bezel
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Distinctive "Pepsi" red and blue bezel design
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Snowflake hands and date window at 3 o'clock position
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Screw-down crown and solid case back
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $4,600 USD
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Pre-Owned: Prices range from $2,650 to $4,250 USD
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
A blend of sporty elegance and vintage charm, the Black Bay Chrono is a chronograph watch that maintains the aesthetic of the Black Bay line. It features a tachymeter scale on the bezel and two sub-dials.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: 41 mm
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Material: Stainless steel
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Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5813 (COSC-certified)
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Power Reserve: 70 hours
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Water Resistance: 200 meters
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Bracelet Options: Steel, leather, or fabric
Key Features
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Chronograph function with 45-minute counter
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Tachymeter scale on the bezel for speed measurement
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Panda and reverse panda dial configurations
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Screw-down pushers and solid case back
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $5,000 to $5,500 USD
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Pre-Owned: Prices range from $3,300 to $5,350 USD
Tudor Ranger
Inspired by a 1960s model, the Ranger is a durable adventure-ready watch. It has a clean, simple dial with Arabic numerals at the cardinal points and is a great option for an everyday, robust timepiece.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: 39 mm
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Material: Stainless steel
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Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5402 (COSC-certified)
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Power Reserve: 70 hours
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Water Resistance: 100 meters
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Bracelet Options: Steel, leather, or fabric
Key Features
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Vintage-inspired design with a slim profile
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Domed sapphire crystal and gilt accents
-
Unidirectional rotatable bezel with anodized aluminum insert
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Snowflake hands for enhanced legibility
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $3,225 USD
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Pre-Owned: Prices range from $2,415 to $2,800 US
Tudor Pelagos 39
A more versatile and smaller version of the original Pelagos, the Pelagos 39 balances the professional capabilities of its larger sibling with a more comfortable size. Its polished bezel and more compact dimensions make it appealing for everyday wear.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: 39 mm
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Material: Titanium
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Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5402 (COSC-certified)
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Power Reserve: 70 hours
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Water Resistance: 200 meters
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Bracelet Options: Titanium bracelet or rubber strap
Key Features
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Lightweight yet durable titanium construction
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Helium escape valve for saturation diving
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Unidirectional rotatable bezel with ceramic insert
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Integrated clasp with extension system for wetsuits
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $4,700 USD
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Pre-Owned: Typically ranges from $3,500 to $4,200 USD
Tudor Royal
This is Tudor's collection of "sport-chic" timepieces. The Royal stands out with its integrated bracelet and a distinctive notched bezel. It's available in a variety of sizes and materials, including steel and two-tone steel and gold.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: Available in 28, 34, 38, and 41 mm
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Material: Stainless steel
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Movement: Quartz or automatic (depending on model)
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Power Reserve: Up to 38 hours (for automatic models)
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Water Resistance: 100 meters
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Bracelet Options: Integrated steel bracelet
Key Features
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Distinctive engine-turned bezel
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Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
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Screw-down winding crown
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316L stainless steel integrated bracelet
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $2,000 to $3,000 USD
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Pre-Owned: Prices vary widely depending on model and condition
Tudor Black Bay Pro
A modern watch designed for adventurers, the Black Bay Pro has a distinctive, fixed 24-hour bezel and a GMT function. Its 39mm case and monochromatic design give it a sleek, contemporary look.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: 39 mm
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Material: Stainless steel
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Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5652 (COSC-certified)
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Power Reserve: 70 hours
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Water Resistance: 200 meters
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Bracelet Options: Steel, leather, or fabric
Key Features
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Dual-time zone functionality with 24-hour rotating bezel
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Distinctive "Pepsi" red and blue bezel design
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Snowflake hands and date window at 3 o'clock position
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Screw-down crown and solid case back
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $4,500 USD
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Pre-Owned: Prices range from $4,450 to $4,800 USD
Tudor 1926
Named after the year the brand was founded by Hans Wilsdorf (the founder of Rolex), the 1926 collection is a tribute to classic watchmaking. It has a timeless and elegant design with a domed dial featuring an embossed pattern and a date complication.
Technical Specifications
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Case Diameter: Available in 28, 36, and 41 mm
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Material: Stainless steel
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Movement: Automatic (ETA-based)
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Power Reserve: Approximately 38 hours
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Water Resistance: 100 meters
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Bracelet Options: Steel bracelet or leather strap
Key Features
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Classic design with fluted bezel
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Date function at 3 o'clock
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Various dial and bracelet options
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Affordable luxury offering
Pricing
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Brand New: Approximately $1,500 to $2,000 USD
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Pre-Owned: Prices range from $1,341 to $1,950 USD
Conclusion
The Tudor Style Watch collection stands out as a versatile and refined option in the world of dress watches. Combining timeless design, reliable Swiss movements, and thoughtful details like fluted or smooth bezels and sunray dials, these watches are as practical as they are elegant.
