In the 1920s, Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf has created the brand Tudor with the intention to sell more affordable timepieces and house third-party movements inside Rolex cases.
As a subsidiary of Rolex, the Tudor brand has always been popular with serious credibility. But this relationship has also trapped Tudor under the shadow of the premier Swiss luxury watch company.
Nowadays, Tudor is fast becoming one of the go-to brands for sports watches. While they still have the backing of Rolex, they still have the creative freedom to create some truly interesting models that provide practicality and style.
Today, we made a round-up of the best Tudor watch that should be worth your time and money. To save you the time, we picked the Tudor Pelagos LHD as the top choice but you want more options, feel free to check out the rest of the list.
Best Tudor Watch | Key Features | Our Rating |
Titanium case with a titanium bracelet, Uni-directional rotating titanium bezel, Black dial with luminous beige hands, 70-hour power reserve, Tudor caliber MT5612 automatic movement | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | |
Stainless steel case with a stainless steel bracelet, Fixed bezel, Minute markers around the outer rim, Tudor caliber 2824 automatic movement, 38 hours power reserve, Scratch resistant sapphire crystal | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | |
Bronze-coloured PVD bronze case, Uni-directional rotating matt slate grey aluminium bezel, Slate grey dial with bronze-coloured snowflake-shaped hands, Tudor caliber MT5601 automatic movement, 70-hour power reserve | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ | |
Tudor Caliber 7753, Brushed Black Ceramic Case, Self Winding Automatic Movement, 46 Hour Power Reserve, Chronograph Feature, Tachymeter Feature, 46 Hour Power Reserve | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ | |
Self-winding automatic watch, 41mm stainless steel case, Brown leather bund strap, stainless steel deployant buckle | ★ ★ ★ ★ | |
Stainless steel case, Fixed stainless steel bezel, Diamond-tipped index hour markers, ETA caliber 2834-2 automatic movement, Scratch resistant sapphire crystal, Water resistant at 100 meters / 330 feet | ★ ★ ★ ★ |
Contents
Best Tudor Watch
1. Tudor Pelagos LHD
Regular readers of WatchIdeas will know that I’m a big fan of the Rolex Submariner. Therefore, it’s not surprising when I was drawn to the Tudor Pelagos LHD which is clearly inspired by the Sub.
Does The Submariner Proud
The Tudor Pelagos LHD might be inspired by Rolex’s most popular dive watch but it’s still a unique watch on its own. The LHD stands for Left Hand Drive and one of the first things you’ll notice is that the crown is located on the left.
With that said, the Tudor Pelagos LHD is perhaps the company’s most modern, technical dive model. It comes with Tudor’s in-house caliber MT5612 movement which is always appreciated. Water resistance is at 500 meters so you can use this more than just your usual recreational diving.
As for the dial, it’s worth pointing out that the Pelagos is, in fact, a spiritual update to the Snowflake Submariners of the 20th century – that’s one way of saying that it has a properly modern dial. The satin/matte black dial is a looker and the applied markers add a certain depth to its visual impact.
Overall, the Tudor Pelagos LHD is a bit tad overlooked but it might as well be the best Tudor watch as far as I’m concerned.
2. Tudor 1926 Automatic
Tudor features a solid collection of diving and military heritage. Since the brand’s return, Tudor has proven that they’re a master of balancing style and practicality. The Tudor 1926 Automatic is a great demonstration of Tudor’s vision.
Takes You Back to 1926
The Tudor 1926 is perhaps the entry-level model from the brand. At first, the 1926 looks like your typical dress watch but on closer inspection, you’ll see some unique elements that make this watch remarkable. Although it’s a watch that pairs wonderfully with a sharp suit, it’s also a piece that tells you, “Hey, it’s okay to get a little dirty.”
Perhaps one of the most interesting design elements of the 1926 is the waffle dial. The waffle design adds a good deal of texture to the watch and is responsible for the watch’s vintage feel. It feels like a throwback to the old 1950’s Rolex models and is often referred to as “honeycomb dials.”
Another great thing about the 1926 Tudor collection is the numerous color options. First, there are nine possible variants in each case size of 41mm, 39mm, 36mm, or 28mm case widths. That’s a total of 36 different models which is nothing short of impressive. Some models feature diamond hour markers which are also more expensive.
Overall, the Tudor 1926 is an interesting combination of affordability and elegance.
3. Tudor Heritage Black Bay
We have yet another dive watch entry from Tudor. The Tudor Heritage Black Bay is perhaps the most successful model by this company – and for good reasons.
All You Need from a Dive Watch and More
The Tudor Heritage Black Bay collection has many great looking watches on its belt. However, my absolute favorite has got to be the Black Bay Bronze model. I think it’s one of the most handsome watches from Tudor.
The watch has been given the steampunk treatment with the anti-corrosive case metal. The subtle slate grey dial is a nice contrast with all the bronze which I think, won’t be as striking with a black dial. As you can see, this watch also channels the Submariner, particularly from the 50s and 60s. In terms of looks, it’s hard to go wrong with the Black Bay.
The Tudor Heritage Black Bay has everything that you need from a dive watch. Luminous hands, unidirectional rotating bezel, and a tough case that will serve you well underwater. Much like the Pelagos, the Heritage Black Bay comes with snowflake hands. For timekeeping, the watch is powered by the in-house Calibre MT5601 automatic movement.
Wrapping up, the Tudor Heritage Black Bay feels like a lesser-known classic which is a tragedy in itself. It’s certainly a model that should be more popular.
4. Tudor Fastrider Black Shield
If you love watches that are vehicle-themed, the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield is a model that you might just fall in love with.
All-Black Excellence
For some history, the Tudor Fastrider collection began in 2011 and it’s a partnership with Italian motorcycle maker Ducati. The Fastrider is more or less the official timepiece of Ducati, although you’ll find no label in the watch pointing to the Italian motorcycle. Well, other than the fact that both company logos are shields. This is more of a quiet collaboration which is honestly how I like it.
As you can see, the Fastrider Black Shield features a dark, all-black theme which is a reference to the cool style of the Ducati XDiavel motorcycle. The matte-black ceramic case and high contrast dial make for a rather conservative and sober profile. However, the watch does offer some very wonderful angles and lines. Another good thing about the ceramic case is that it’s resistant to scratches.
Despite the black design, the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield is quite legible although the hands could use a bit more work. The Fastrider is quite a pricey purchase but it’s still an affordable model considering it’s a collaboration piece.
5. Tudor Heritage Ranger
The Tudor Heritage Ranger comes highly recommended if you simply want an honest watch that just works and built to last. The Heritage Ranger is the result if you take a sport watch and distill it down to the essentials.
Tough and Honest Timepiece
On the surface, you’ll see that the Ranger is a simple enough watch. It has a black dial, steel case, three hands. There’s no bells or whistles but somehow, it’s a very striking model with a thoughtful design. At 41mm, the Ranger is decidedly a contemporary watch but I know that many purists will beg to differ.
In addition, perhaps the most interesting thing about the Range is its overall design. Tudor has knocked it out of the park in referencing the iconic Oyster case design but still stands out on its own. While the case certainly has a story to tell, the dial is the runaway winner here.
The matte dial against the eggshell finish looks great and provides subtle texture and richness to the watch. The dial mainly focuses on being clear and legible. However, I wish the indices and markers are applied for more depth.
Overall, the Range is a very well-made watch with no pretense.
6. Tudor Glamour Day & Date
Tudor has always been known for their classic sports watches like the Heritage and Black Bay collections. However, this doesn’t mean that the company doesn’t know how to do dress watches. Enter the Tudor Glamour Day & Date.
Dressier Tudor for Formal Events
Upon seeing the Tudor Glamour Day & Date in person, one quick observation I’ve had is that it’s a unisex timepiece. The Tudor Glamour Day & Date is one of those watches that will look good on both men and women. This is hardly a surprise especially when women love wearing oversized men’s watches.
Furthermore, the black dial in contrast with the gorgeous stainless steel case and band make for a seriously good-looking dress watch. Of course, like its namesake, the Day window is found at 12 o’clock and the Date aperture is located at the 3 o’clock position. Like many Tudor collections, the Glamour Day & Date comes in numerous options which is always a good thing.
Ultimately, if you’re in the market for a luxury dress watch but still fairly affordable, the Tudor Glamour Day & Date is a solid choice.
Tudor’s Best Are Looking Good
That wraps up our list of the best Tudor watch. Overall, Tudor is a great luxury brand but offers more affordable options. Certainly, it’s a brand that brings in the value proposition.
