Tudor was established in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, with the vision of offering watches with same reliability as those from the Crown, but at a more accessible price point.

Tudor’s historical significance is underscored by its association with robust, reliable tool watches. In the 1950s, they introduced the Tudor Submariner, a durable and water-resistant diver’s watch, marking the brand’s venture into the world of sports watches. This commitment to quality led to Tudor watches being chosen by various military and professional organisations.

In more recent times, Tudor has experienced somewhat of a rebirth with the launch of the Black Bay in 2012. This model line pays homage to the brand’s rich diving watch heritage, incorporating contemporary features with distinctive vintage-inspired design. Among the brand’s current catalogue are other popular models including the Pelagos, known for its technical prowess and durability, and the Ranger, which pays tribute to the brand’s military connections.

Tudor watches are celebrated for their craftsmanship, reliability, and heritage-inspired design. They offer a bridge between affordability and precision, appealing to those who appreciate good value without any sacrifices in quality and functionality.

The bulk of Tudor sales on Watch Collecting have been variants of the Black Bay collection. Notable examples include a 2022 Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18k, a model which launched at Watches and Wonders in 2021 ($8,850). Crafted in 18k yellow gold, it features a brushed finish, maintaining the Black Bay’s toolish, no-nonsense personality, but with a subtly luxurious aesthetic, complemented by an olive-green dial. In a first for the Black Bay, the watch featured an exhibition caseback displaying the in-house calibre 5400 movement.

Looking at vintage refences, Watch Collecting sold a 1964 Tudor Submariner 7928, featuring two notable particularities (£7,000). The case has rounded crown guards, seen for the first time on this reference, the other being the bezel insert, which has pronounced discolouration due to prolonged exposure to UV rays. Referred to as “tropical” this change in appearance is highly sought-after by collectors.

Coming right up to date, a 2023 Tudor Black Bay GMT, launched at Watches and Wonders, introduces a brand-new look to this popular sports watch with its opaline dial (€3,000). With a 41mm stainless steel case and blue and red ‘Pepsi’ bezel, this watch’s vintage touches are inspired by early generations of the iconic GMT-Master produced by Tudor’s sister company, Rolex.