Best Tudor Watches: Which One Should You Get?
by Goh Wei Tjin
Once dubbed as a ‘poor man’s Rolex’, Tudor watches are now synonymous with function, performance and practicality.
Registered in 1926 at the request of Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, Tudor is a Swiss manufacturer of high-quality wristwatches based in Geneva. Over time, Tudor became especially well-known for producing watches for professional divers and the military. Between the 1960s and 1980s, several naval forces issued Tudor Submariners to their divers. These include the US Navy to its elite SEALs, and the French to their famous Marine Nationale (French Navy).
Tudor is one of the few watchmakers that managed to survive the tough competition over the years. What’s more it has also managed to retain its position in the global market. With a wide range of different models, each watch is meticulously designed to suit every individual.
Timeless and practical, Tudor watches are perfect either for daily wear or for special occasions. Here are some of the popular men’s watches to consider.
Tudor Heritage Black Bay
The Heritage Black Bay is inspired from a collaboration with Breitling while drawing deeply from Tudor watches’ history. It was the very first Tudor chronograph to use the Breitling B01 chronograph movement.
Praised by many in the industry as a bold move, the Heritage Black Bay managed to combine elements of both vintage diver and chronograph watches into a harmonious symphony that exceeded engineering and user experience expectations.
This masterpiece kept all of the excellent technical properties of Tudor watches’ signature chronograph with an exciting twist of Breitling’s mechanics in it.
The snowflake hour hand is also another interesting feature, which makes it stands out as a diver’s watch.
Why you should get this: The Tudor Heritage Black Bay is an elegant chronograph watch with a vintage vibe to it.
Tudor Hydronaut
Originally designed for diving and water activities, the Tudor Hydronaut is a diver’s best friend. Capable to withstand up to 1,200 metres of water pressure, this watch is one of Tudor’s sturdiest creations.
This dive watch has a stainless steel case with a black ceramic bezel and an elegant stainless steel bracelet. It comes with a dial with luminous hands and index hour markers and features a date display at 3 o’clock. A self-winding movement powers the watch.
Why you should get this: The Tudor Hydronaut is a must-have for those looking for a watch with utmost precision for water activities.
Tudor Heritage Chrono
Inspired by the Tudor Chronograph launched in 1973 — also known as the ‘Monte-Carlo’ — the Tudor Heritage Chrono is an excellent timepiece that marries functionality and style.
Its 42mm steel case is perfect for everyday wear. The use of triangular hour and minute hands with large facets along with the display of black chronograph function against a grey dial creates a ‘racing car’ vibe with excellent readability.
The bi-directional rotating bezel with a 12-hour scale also assists the wearer in keeping track of elapsed hours. This is one of the popular choices amongst watch collectors and Tudor watches’ fans.
Why you should get this: This Tudor Heritage Chrono has an elegant-sporty look that can take you from work to play.
Tudor Heritage Advisor
Having difficulties keeping track of time with your busy schedule? Then the Tudor Heritage Advisor is the right choice for you.
Being the only watch with an alarm complication from Tudor, this timepiece stands out from the rest of Tudor watches in terms of style and sentimental value. The Tudor Heritage Advisor is a modern reinterpretation of the first Tudor Advisor 7926. The watch features a plain steel bezel and a lightweight 42mm titanium case.
The complex design of the dial is surprisingly simple to read, even with the added alarm function. The silver-coloured hands can be seen in dim lightings, emphasising the watch’s elegance and style.
Why you should get this: The Tudor Heritage Advisor has a minimalist and sophisticated style you all look out for in a dress watch.
Tudor Classic
Pure, simple, classy. The Tudor Classic is not one to be overlooked.
With a 41mm polished steel casing, the Tudor Classic gives off an air of elegance with its carefully crafted bracelet that features a folding steel clasp. The index markings are inscribed upon the silver dial that is covered by a scratch-proof glass. The Tudor Classic’s simple yet elegant display of the date and day further reiterates the mantra — where less is more. The watch also features a 38-hour power reserve.
Why you should get this: The Tudor Classic has that no-nonsense style that goes well with everything in your wardrobe.
Tudor Fastrider Chrono
The Tudor Fastrider Chrono was the brainchild of a collaboration between Tudor and Ducati that started in 2011. The result was a utility-oriented chronograph with hints of sportiness as well as Ducati’s sexiness.
In this all-dark iteration, the watch provides a refreshing option to the stylish watch lover. Evoking power, mystery and sophistication, the Tudor Fastrider Chrono dramatically changes the wearer’s mood and style. Powered by a 4Hz automatic movement with 46 hours of power reserve, the rhythmic clockwork movements carry a sense of stability.
Much like the Tudor logo in the shape of a shield, this watch suits the grounded and sophisticated individual.
Why you should get this: The Tudor Fastrider Chrono is perfect for the chronograph lover who prefers to live in the fast lane.
Tudor 1926
The Tudor 1926 is one of the brand’s creations that caters to every man’s style and preference. Released in 1926, Tudor fights off all fashion stereotypes during that era to be able to strike a balance between the rugged and the formal.
Made to complement the dirt-clad work overalls as well the sharp suit, the Tudor 1926 meant serious business. Its unique textured dial resembles the ‘honeycomb dials’ popular with the 1950’s Rolex watches. It made it possible to leave one’s workshop, shave and suit up before heading off to a fancy evening affair in style —all without changing one’s watch.
Why you should get this: The Tudor 1926 is perfect for the young urban professional who doesn’t mind to occasionally ‘get down and dirty’.
For other practical options on men’s watches, check out our feature on Seiko watches for men.
