Men's Tudor Watches

Tudor is the “sister” brand of Rolex. Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, started it in 1946 some 38 years after he launched the Rolex brand. He aimed to make a more affordable line by using Valjoux movements purchased from outside suppliers, instead of the more expensive Rolex in-house movements.

For the first 40 years of Tudor’s existence, the watches mirrored their Rolex siblings. In 1954, however, Tudor introduced its first divers’ watch, the Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner, which began to gain the brand a following of its own. Then followed the first Tudor Chronograph and the Tudor Prince Oysterdate lines.

The Tudor brand has been continually reinvented to appeal to contemporary purchasers. These days it markets to the younger, predominantly male consumer enthralled with glamorous, high-risk sports, speed, and adventure. Tudor’s current collections include the North Flag, Fastrider, Fastrider Black Shield, Heritage Ranger, Heritage Black Bay, Pelagos, Heritage Chrono (which comes with a nylon strap), and Tudor Grantour.

At Baselword 2015, Tudor announced the launch of its own in-house movement, which gives it an even firmer foothold in the luxury market as a standalone brand.

Quick Facts

• Wilsdorf chose the name “Tudor” to honor the Tudor period in English history
• The Tudor Advisor was launched in 1957. It was (and still is) the only watch ever to come from the Rolex family with an alarm function
• In the 1960s, Israeli naval commandos were issued with Tudor Submariner watches. A Tudor Prince Submariner was produced for the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1966