TUDOR 1926 REVIEW: An AFFORDABLE and LuxuriousTITAN

In the never-ending search for cheaper luxury watches, a lot of pieces come to mind as having some of the best features out there for a fraction of the price.

The Tudor 1926 Opaline Classic is a true gem, shining even brighter than pieces far more expensive. In the watch world, lowering the price cap leaves you with slim pickings.

Fortunately, this is not Tudor’s first time being the underdog, as they’ve become accustomed to residing in Rolex’s shadow. It makes sense.

Tudor, after all, was founded by Hans Wilsdorf, the same man who founded Rolex nearly twenty years before.

While the brand was originally created with the intention of providing cheaper alternatives to Rolex that watch fans could still enjoy, Tudor has now become much more than that, evolving into a titan of the industry and demanding respect across the board. 

History 

Tudor’s breakaway from the Rolex name originated in 2012 when the Pelagos was released. Before, whenever a new Rolex came out, there was always a Tudor watch with the same exact name—a new Rolex Oyster came out, we would also get a Tudor one, and whenever a new Submariner would drop, a new Tudor Submariner would shortly follow.

That trend changed even more with the release of the Black Bay series, which was largely responsible for giving Tudor its own name and style that has continued on to become the brand we know today. The 1926 follows those same principles.

It is an original watch that comes with breathtaking functions, all at a significantly reduced price, which has become expected from Tudor. The years tick by, and we see Tudor continue to grow in this relatively newfound identity, gracing us with pieces that shine in their own right, with a voice original.

As a fan of authentic pieces, this is truly a blessing. Today, as we take a closer look at the 1926, I want you to understand just how hard this brand has worked to move away from Rolex and start something truly special that allows them to create the pieces that they want to create without relying on anyone else. Let’s dive in. 

Case

A fairly simple, stainless steel case with an elegant polished finish all the way around that feels like a tribute to the old Oyster cases while at the same time being much more curvy and elongated. Something that stands out to me is how thin it is—measuring only 9.5mm thick.

As you would expect, this is a dream for those with smaller wrists, and it also does wonders for the aesthetic, attracting those who prefer slimmer, curvier watches that are much more subtle.

The diameter itself measures anywhere from 39mm-41mm, so it’s not minuscule, but it definitely leans toward the smaller side when you consider how it fits and feels. 

The case back is screwed down, with the traditional “Tudor Geneve” text around the edge. The crown has gotten a lot of praise, however, for being small and blending in with the slimmer design while being tremendously easy to unscrew and operate, which goes a long way in terms of functionality and does your wearers a favor by preventing any headaches or frustration. 

I’ve found that a slim bezel often cursed a watch to be a scratch magnet, and it seems like that would be true for the 1926 bezel. It’s not remarkable in any way, and it doesn’t really offer a layer of protection.

It does its job aesthetically speaking, but I could definitely envision some scratches forming on the glass much more quickly than usual. A sapphire crystal does help, but it’s important to have a bezel that can do some of that heavy tanking as well.

Overall, the case does its job well enough. It’s nothing crazy to write home about, but it seems to me like Tudor was shooting with a much more subtle aesthetic that is meant to complement the highlight of the piece, the dial. 

Dial 

Several watch dials accompany the 1926, but the most notable one by far is the Opaline dial with its stark white color and blue numerals and indices. Looking closer, we can spot the waffle pattern enriching the dial—and, therefore, the entire piece—with an extra layer of detail.

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Another notable aspect is the way that the dial catches the light. Holding your wrist one way in the sun changes the entire look, and the blue indices follow this style choice as well, coming alive on your wrist under certain lights. 

The thin nature of the watch does wonders for the dial. Tudor knew what the main focus of this piece would be. They minimized all distractions, causing the wearer to pay full attention to the magnificent pattern that sets the tone for the entire piece.

No date window, but the minimalist design doesn’t require one. Plus, date windows tend to just be an eyesore on a luxurious piece of this caliber. Instead, the blue “Self Winding” text is positioned at the bottom of the dial, forming a smiley face. 

I will say that the simplistic color and waffle pattern are certainly stunning, but the specific blue shade used for the text and indices caught my eye the most. Something about it is so alluring, as it just fits so well with the rest of the aesthetic.

As mentioned before, the bezel does little in terms of security or durability, but part of me prefers a smaller, less obtrusive style that doesn’t overshadow the majestic shade of the hands. They are quite subtle but laced with so much detail that offers much more to digest beyond first glance. 

Needless to say, the dial is a masterpiece, but it is only because of the slim nature and the subtle details that the design choice works as well as it does. I can’t imagine I would feel the same way if this watch was any bigger.

It just puts into perspective how committed Tudor is to their level of detail and how they work hard to check every box with every piece they release.  

Movement 

A heavily modified Calibre 2824 ETA serves as the engine for this piece. It comes with shock absorption and 25 jewels, causing it to tick at 28,000 vph.

Being that this is a third-party movement, this is where Tudor has saved most of its money. A house-made engine would definitely put this piece over the top, but I’m certainly satisfied with the performance of this watch, as ETA has proven to be a very reliable choice for a long time. Plus, a

house-made-movement would make this piece a lot more expensive, so we, as customers, are better off settling for reliability rather than something more luxurious. 

Bracelet

Each link of this stainless steel bracelet is made up of 7 individual pieces—four brushed-over and mid-links and three polished connectors. All of this detail and fine-tuning gives us a highly intricate design that complements the same waffle texture on the dial. 

The bracelet comes with a very short flip-lock clasp, fitting that minimalist vibe. Because of this, the watch is worn far more comfortably. A smart design choice on Tudor’s part because, more often than not, larger clasps tend to be irritating and, in some cases, very painful to wear. 

But sadly, I can’t call this bracelet perfect because there are a few questionable design choices. Firstly, there are no micro-adjustments. It is arguably necessary for daily drivers like these to have micro-adjustments because consumers are purchasing this piece with consistency in mind.

If it proves to be more of a chore to strap on every morning, they would be better off looking for another piece to wear on a day-to-day basis. The bracelet also has no tapering, which is a shame considering the elegant aesthetic that every other portion of the piece communicates so well. 

Overall, I can’t complain too much, and if the watch fits perfectly upon first wear, you’re not going to have too much to complain about either.

But you could argue that a good fit is the most important feature to a consumer. After all, if it hurts to wear the watch, what other reason is there to buy it other than perhaps adding it to an esteemed collection?

Needless to say, the lack of fitting options is disappointing, but being that it will only affect a marginalized portion of people, the rest of the design leaves me walking away rather satisfied. 

On-Wrist Experience

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For smaller wrists, the fit is perfect. In fact, most wrists will have zero issues at all, but the lack of micro adjustments will prove to be heartbreaking for the outliers who don’t fit because Tudor was one step away from having a watch that could virtually fit everyone. 

The 1926 leans on the dressier side, but you can wear this watch anywhere and never feel out of place. Elegance shines through and through, but it is still subtle enough to pair with basic everyday clothing like buttoned shirts, jeans, khakis, sweaters, etc.

Because of the thinness and the lack of an obtrusive clasp, this is an extremely comfortable watch that feels very light on the wrist. It keeps that swagger of an authentic Swiss luxury piece while not being too over the top.

A perfect combination for those new to the luxury game, or the Swiss game, for that matter. New wearers will be drawn to the comfort as well as the style, and a simple piece like this will be very easy to grasp for those who are still learning. 

Pricing

You can find the Tudor 1926 from Tudor authorized dealers, like Exquisite Timepieces. We only ship to the US and are authorized dealers, ensuring a 5-year warranty directly from Tudor.

A brand new 1926 Opaline (m91650-0005)can be picked up for $2,225 USD. Pre-owned pieces usually range from 1.5-2k, depending on the condition of the watch. 

Conclusion

So there we have it. The 1926 is truly a stunner, a true testament to Tudor’s legacy. Tudor has been in this industry for too long to still be revered as the “poor man Rolex,” and it is pieces like these that prove they have left that mindset in the past and are now only focused on providing high-quality, unique pieces that further cement the Tudor name as a force to be reckoned with.

This is one of those pieces that is very easy to recommend because—all things considered—it’s relatively cheap and simple, has a design that appeals to almost everyone, and a simple upkeep that will prove very easy for new watch-lovers to become accustomed to.

It’s a true beauty that proves not everything has to be over the top. Things can be simple and precise while still providing a high level of detail and class that will leave customers satisfied, and this watch fully embodies that idea.