Tudor Watch Review – The Best Entry-Level Luxury Watch Brand?

Falling into the category of what I like to call affordable luxury, Tudor is an excellent mid-range yet high-end watchmaker. In short, Tudor makes for a great middle-ground choice for your collection. Don’t let the notion of affordability trick you into thinking the brand cuts corners on quality.

Personally, my favorite aspect of the watches they produce is the Swiss heritage that comes with them. Although I have been lucky enough to collect several luxury watches over the years, I’m not looking to break the bank. I keep finding myself drawn back to Tudor for several reasons, but the price point is high up on the list.

With an extensive reputation in the market and numerous iconic collections, Tudor stands tall for more than just the look of their timepieces.

In the same vein, there are plenty of newcomers to the watchmaker that don’t know where to begin. This straightforward Tudor watch review showcases what makes it one of the best entry-level luxury watch brands in today’s market.

A Look Into Tudor Watch History

There’s a lot to unpack if you’re looking into the history behind the Tudor brand. In a similar fashion to many other famous luxury watch brands, Tudor had to start somewhere.

Looking back at its beginnings in 1926, the company started as an affordable alternative to other luxury watchmakers. Rolex, being a leading competitor, isn’t within reach for many people due to their usual price points.

While Tudor definitely takes influence from the Rolex brand, they were able to carve out a unique identity of their own. Showcasing obvious resemblances to certain Rolex designs, Tudor made sure to offer something individual, even in the early days.

Once the 1940s rolled around, Tudor gained a lot of attention due to the introduction of their waterproof Oyster case.

This is a feature in today’s world that’s a big selling point for me. I don’t really like taking my watches off for most of the day if I don’t have to. Whether I’m washing my hands, swimming, or showering, I’d like to be able to leave the watch on. So far, I haven’t had an issue doing this with any of my Tudor watches.

Nevertheless, this feature introduction is far from the heights that the Tudor brand would experience down the road.

Another notable year in their history is 1954 when Tudor found itself embedded in the dive watch market. This was made a reality with the brand’s new Submariner, which evidently catered to the diving and sea-faring crowd.

I was honestly surprised to learn that it wasn’t until the 1960s that Tudor’s iconic angular hands made an appearance. This is something that’s a staple of the Tudor brand from my perspective. The angular hands look great on any of their models, and this is supported by the diversity in their model lineup over time as well.

As the watchmaker got closer and closer to the 21st century, their catalog only became more impressive. In today’s world, Tudor has been around long enough that they’ve had to pivot more than once. Not only to compete within the market but also to keep delivering something new and exciting from a name people trust.

Since Tudor’s inception nearly 100 years ago, there have been many watchmakers that have landed on the market. Even if this has posed more of a challenge for the Tudor brand, they still stand tall among the best of the best. However, I could also argue that what the company has become in modern times is much different than where it started.

The Modern State of the Tudor Brand

Geneva, Switzerland, is the birthplace of the first Tudor watches, but they’re now known and loved on a global scale. Originally seen as the “working man’s Rolex,” Tudor has done well to climb the social ladder of watchmaking over the years.

Considering my own knowledge of the brand is more modern, I definitely keep them up there with all the other high-end watchmakers. In our modern era, Tudor has made a name for itself and influenced many unique groups. Whether it’s divers, the military, or the everyday adventurer, Tudor has become only more diverse with time.

I’d say it’s inarguable that Tudor is seen as a luxury brand in modern day. Of course, to newcomers, it may seem like it was always like that for the brand. In reality, Tudor put in a lot of work to get here, and it required a lot of creative thinking along the way.

While the brand may have been seen as merely a sister component to Rolex early on, that isn’t the case today. Between their focus on competitive pricing, a diverse catalog, and their relatively new in-house movements, it’s clear they plan to keep growing.

Popular models in the brand’s current era tend to be a blend of the old and the new. This includes the likes of their Black Bay, Royal, and Ranger models, for example. Each offers something unique to their own and caters to different wear styles. It’s important to remember that luxury watchmaking isn’t only meant for the office or formal events.

Now, you can find one for any occasion, and Tudor is a great beacon of that possibility. I feel like they have always been, but they have really started to shine in modern times. This is also partly due to their resurgence in the U.S. in the 2010s.

There was a time in the brand’s history when they pulled back in the market quite a bit. Not only did this draw attention, but it drew speculation as to why they made this choice. A lot of it had to do with planning the future of Tudor and what moves they were planning to make next. I’d like to think their in-house movements were a part of this ploy.

Nevertheless, Tudor has definitely had its fair share of ups and downs, but it has rarely, if ever, faltered. From my personal experience, I haven’t had a single Tudor watch fail in what it was designed to do. In many cases, this is much more than just telling the time. I wouldn’t consider myself to have the most active lifestyle, but I do love that Tudor watches are built for consistent use.

Regardless of how much time has passed since the watchmaker’s early days, they still exist as an affordable option. Some people may feel otherwise, but when compared to others on the market, Tudor’s pricing is hard to beat. I’d also like to point out that Tudor was pretty wise when it came to brand partnerships as well.

The company didn’t survive purely off of craftsmanship and innovation. Whether it’s a sports endorsement or a memorable ad, Tudor has consistently done well in marketing its presence. The same can be said about their approach to younger watch lovers. When you’re a brand as old as Tudor, many newcomers aren’t going to have any idea where you came from. You have to show them, and I find myself noticing this approach in everything they produce.

Their modern watches do a great job of blending new-age features alongside classic style and engineering choices. Watchmaking as a whole has come a long way, but I can tell Tudor never forgot the roots. Now that Tudor has an independent stance in the market, they’re no longer seen as a back burner option to Rolex. Building up any brand takes time, and Tudor shows just what it takes to get there in this industry.

What Makes Tudor Watches Stand Out?

I could go on for days about what makes a Tudor watch special. Although these sentiments aren’t universal across every design, there is a long list of upsides involved. For me, I always like to point out the craftsmanship and heritage behind the brand first.

This is what’s the most impressive to me. Any watchmaker that can last 100 years and still stand strong should be commended for the feat. Outside of that note, the historical craftsmanship behind the brand can be felt in every watch they produce.

For a little more clarity on their process, Tudor watches are built with a mix of Swiss tradition and modern innovation. The Rolex connection definitely helped draw eyes to the brand. Looking at modern day, their in-house movements only made them even more competitive in the market. Watch enthusiasts like myself hold a lot of value in small details like this, and Tudor is full of them.

Another point I would like to highlight is their focus on more traditional designs. I can be a fan of many modern features, but I’ve always preferred a more classic look on my wrist. Tudor does a great job of this across all of their collections, no matter how modern the industry gets.

I would say their combination of style, durability, and variety is what keeps me looking into what’s new with the watchmaker. Of course, there’s also something to be said about the high-quality materials that are used here. This includes a variety of reliable choices, like ceramic bezels, titanium, and classic stainless steel.

Combine the physical components with their brand identity, and a lot of people feel well taken care of wearing their watches. I know I do, and this comes from over 10 years of hands-on experience. I’ve been through several Tudors myself, and I’m an equal fan of the old and new from the watchmaker.

When you also consider their legacy with military and adventurers alike, this only added to their reliability. Most people would agree Tudor is a high-end brand, but if you’ve ever worn one, then you know they hold up impressively well. I would say they’ve done a great job of finding that middle ground between luxury and actual functionality.

Tudor’s don’t always come with a bunch of bells and whistles. However, what they do bring to the table tends to be pristine across the board. You might need minor adjustments or swap designs down the road, but I’m confident that the Tudor name is hard to argue with. At the end of the day, what makes a Tudor watch special is the overall value. Not just from a financial perspective but every layer that goes into their designs and in-house engineering.

I can agree that Tudor watches aren’t for everyone, but they’ve found a way to attach themselves to a broad target market. At one point, the brand was only perceived as a high-end option for a certain class. In today’s era, they’re viewed as a very accessible luxury watchmaker that has included a surprisingly diverse catalog.

Should You Buy a Tudor Watch?

A lot of this comes down to personal preference, but from my point of view, I’d say everyone should consider a Tudor of their own. This doesn’t come solely from my own hands-on experience but the company’s track record as well.

When you’re looking into buying a luxury watch, I find it crucial to consider more than just looks and craftsmanship alone. You should feel taken care of for the lifetime of that watch, which requires a lot of dedication and support from the watchmaker.

Tudor is a brand I’ve felt truly delivers the information and support you need to make the right decision. Time and time again, I find that this isn’t a trait that you’ll find with every luxury watch brand that’s out there.

It’s clear to me that Tudor is an affordable option in the space of high-end watches. If you find yourself on the fence with the brand, close alternatives include the likes of Grand Seiko or Omega, for example. 

Even though you could find similarities to Tudor on the market, it’s important to read into the fine print. This is where you’ll find the watchmaker’s unique traits that you may not find anywhere else. Between their historical investment in their craft, the balance in their designs, and overall versatility, I have been a fan of Tudor for years.

In Conclusion

For those who are new to the Tudor brand, I have a feeling you still have quite a bit of digging to do. What you’ve learned so far should be your guiding light to which Tudor model works best for you.

Make sure to take your time, as the company has a lot to offer, with a long list of styles to choose from. Never forget to work with a reputable retailer like Exquisite Timepieces, as this gives you the support you need between on-hand and industry experience.