Watch dealer Veuve de Philippe Hüther registered “The Tudor” trademark in 1926. Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, liked the name and decided to buy “The Tudor” brand in 1936 with the goal to create a more affordable range of watches to be sold alongside his legendary Rolex timepieces. In fact, Wilsdorf himself appeared on many of the early advertisements for the Tudor watches that came out.
Tudor has been in the shadow of Rolex its entire existence, but if that shadow is cast by the most prominent brand in the world, it isn’t bad company. The Tudor timepieces are made in the same place as Rolex, by many of the same watch designers. In fact, many of the Tudor timepieces look strikingly similar to Rolex timepieces and have the same exceptional qualities and fine craftsmanship. Owning a Tudor is like owning a Rolex, but for a small fraction of the cost.
However, in the past 10 years, new management has taken Tudor in a new more distinctive direction. The goal has been in recent years to not just be a cheaper alternative to Rolex, but to create unique Tudor watches that can stand on their own.
Tudor Watches
The Tudor Black Bay was one of the first brands that redefined Tudor as its own exceptional and unique design. It has several components of the Black Bay line, including Chronographs and GMT designs (both pictured above). However, the Black Bay line, though similar to Rolex has its own unique features, and certainly a much lower price.
This GMT is so similar to a Rolex GMT Master II, that you would need to put them side by side to really see the comparable differences. This Black Bay GMT is an exceptional timepiece. It has the “Pepsi” bezel and the 24 hour hand to help you keep track of a second time zone. The 41 mm case is slightly larger than the typical Rolex case, and it houses the new Calibre MT5652 which has the enhanced 70 hour power reserve.
The hands and hour markers are filled with highly luminescent material and this lume looks exceptional against the black dial. The Big Red Hand is the GMT hand and it too has luminescent in its “snowflake” tip. Its sapphire crystal on top and Oyster case give it scratch resistance and water resistance that people have come to expect from Rolex and now from Tudor.
The GMT Reference: m79830rb-0001 is waterproof to an amazing 660 feet making it one of the few diver timepieces that actually has a GMT function. It has 3 bracelet options – a steel Oyster style, a brown leather and a NATO cloth style. It also has a 5 year guarantee and is fully certified just like all Rolex timepieces by he COSC for craftsmanship, and reliability.
It is an amazing watch and is only that much more amazing when you see that the price of $4175 lets you own a piece of Rolex craftsmanship with a Tudor price. By comparison a true GMT Master II from Rolex would go for around $30,000, sometimes even more.
Of the Tudor watches to admire, this Black Bay Bronze reference M79250BA-0001 is probably one of the most distinctive and special Tudor designs made today. It has a golden appearance, but as we know it is made from a more earthy and durable metal – bronze. It is masculine and something you might see on a diver’s mask from the early days of diving.
Yet, this Black Bay Bronze model is a very modern diver with a throw back appeal. The hour markers and snowflake hands are filled with an aged patina that collectors often marvel over with “old” Rolex timepieces from the 1960’s. Many aged Rolexes will acquire a more distressed look over time. However, purchasing a new Black Bay Bronze gives you this highly sought after combination of antique white coloring and distressed black dial on a brand new timepiece.
The Black Bay Bronze also has an impressive 43 mm case. It is powered by the new MT5601 movement with a 70 hour power reserve. It is a diver timepiece with waterproofness support for depths as much as 660 feet. And at $4250 this timepiece will not break the bank.
Owning a chronograph doesn’t have to put you in the poorhouse. This gorgeous Tudor Heritage Chronograph reference m70330n-0003 has a 45 minute totalizer at the 9 o’clock position, a small seconds at 3 o’clock and a date aperture at 6 o’clock.
This won’t be mistaken for a Rolex Daytona with its 3 dial construction. No, this is its own timepiece with distinctive coloring of white hour markers on the black dial and touches of orange throughout, giving it a racer’s appeal. It has a 42 mm case and is powered by a T401 caliber with a 42 hour power reserve. The pushers are screw down and help make the case waterproof to a significant 500 feet.
This timepiece has a sportier look than the Daytona and comes on a fabric NATO looking strap with Black, Grey and Orange. This timepiece or its Blue colored brother counterpart are available for only $4,200. If you want a steel bracelet, this is offered at $4,525.
Rubber B offers a diverse set of rubber watch straps made in Switzerland of 100% vulcanized rubber for Tudor Watches including the Tudor Heritage and Tudor Black Bay lineup. All Rubber B bands are manufactured in Switzerland with 100% Vulcanized Rubber. This provides exceptional water resistance, long-lasting beauty and luxury, and comfort. These bands are perfect for swimming, diving, and athletic activities.
The Vulcanized DUAL COLORED Rubber strap engineered to fit the Tudor Heritage Black Bay 41mm and your Tudor deployant buckle, utilizes “Blocked Integration” engineering, incorporating solid inserts for a flawless, motionless flush mount to the watch case. This strap features the Rubber B signature “T” design and is compatible with the Tudor buckle featured in the alternate view images, or any other standard 18mm tang buckle. An exciting new configuration for the stainless steel diver’s watch.
Rubber B bands offer unmatched durability even during sports or in the water. Rubber B bands are ready for play. Rubber B offer straps in combinations of Jet Black with either Satin Black, Red Devil, Pacific Blue, Sahara Tan or Arctic White. Each offers a unique style option while complimenting the colors of the watch.
Most models are compatible with the Tudor deployant buckle, giving the rubber strap configuration a fully integrated finish. Collectors can remove their Tudor band and replace it with a Rubber B band, keeping the Tudor band safe for future resale.
Rubber B released the new Rubber Cuff Series, a high-tech watch band made of SwimSkin® an exclusively patented technology requiring all-new innovative machinery and engineering techniques to give the rubber a fabric quality.
Although this strap looks and feels like moisture sensitive materials such as Kevlar® & Twill, it is actually 100% RUBBER, and therefore waterproof for all sports and aquatic activities. This Vulcanized Rubber watch band has been Tortion-tested for extreme strength and security. Hand-Sewn with HYDROTURF® Marine Thread: Maximum resistance to UV-rays, atmospheric conditions, & chemicals. Offered in Jet Black Twill and Navy Blue Twill.
Rubber B builds bands for most Tudor models including Heritage Black Bay Fifty-Eight, Black Bay, Pelagos, Heritage Chrono and Heritage Black Bay Bronze. Rubber B ships worldwide within 24-48 hours of your order, with expedited shipping available.
