It is not unusual for major luxury brands to have a small sister company that provides more affordable options. This is particularly commonplace in the world of high fashion.
One of these sister companies is Swiss watch manufacturer Tudor, which was launched by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf. The newer brand struggled for years to carve its own identity and step out of the shadows of its more famous sibling.
This has changed dramatically in recent years, however, with Tudor exploding in popularity. But is Tudor a good watch brand in itself, or has it constantly been hanging off Rolex’s coat tails?
A Brief History of Tudor Watches
Hans Wildorf established the Tudor brand in 1926. Wildorf wanted to have a more affordable alternative to Rolex, without sacrificing the precision and reliability that were synonymous with the luxury watchmaker. This was several decades after Rolex had already established its popularity, paving the way for Tudor to do the same at the lower end of the market.
In announcing the new brand, Wildorf said: “For some years now, I have been considering the idea of making a watch that our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that would attain the standard of dependability for which Rolex is famous,” he said. “I decided to form a separate company, with the object of making and marketing this new watch. It is called the TUDOR watch company.”
His plan worked initially, as the association with Rolex gave the new brand instant credibility. Things went extremely well for the next 30 to 40 years, however the company slowly and gradually lost its way.
That was until the early 2000s, when the brand underwent a complete overhaul. It scrapped the visible ties with Rolex and introduced new models with their own names. The goal was to distinguish the Tudor brand as a more distinct watchmaking brand, aimed at a younger demographic. The newer brand was also positioned as a complementary, rather than cheaper, alternative to Rolex. This meant the two companies were now mutually exclusive, so there was no stigma for a person enjoying timepieces from both manufacturers.
Is Tudor a Good Watch Brand?
The short answer to this question is yes. Ever since the relaunch, Tudor has gone from strength to strength and established itself as an extremely popular brand in its own right. The company is growing rapidly and it is slowly but surely becoming a powerful competitor in the semi-luxury watch market.
But why exactly is Tudor a good watch brand? Here are a few reasons:
Value for Money
When compared to other watch manufacturers in the same market, it is evident that Tudor offers excellent value for money. When you buy a Tudor watch, you are guaranteed to have a well-finished, high-quality timepiece. In addition, you will also (in most cases) get a wristwatch that is powered by an in-house calibre – but more on that later.
The manufacturing quality of a Tudor watch is incredibly high. The timepieces feel solid and robust, and there is no rattle or feeling of low-quality that you can sometimes get with cheap watches. This is unsurprising when you remember that Tudor is backed by Rolex, and benefits from the knowhow of its older sibling.
In the price segment of semi-luxury timepieces that Tudor is in, there really are not many competitors that can do it better. This makes Tudor a fantastic choice for many people.
Investment Potential
While watch enthusiasts used to exclusively purchase their timepieces as collectors’ items and for everyday use, it is becoming increasingly popular to buy a wristwatch as a source of investment. Of course, some brands will retain their value better than others.
Like many semi-luxury and luxury watch brands, Tudor watches can make for a good investment opportunity. There are several reasons for this, which we have discussed in a previous blog.
Tudor Saga App
The existence of a dedicated mobile application is another thing that separates Tudor from other brands in its market. It is completely free and provides Tudor watch owners with the opportunity to get to know their timepieces better.
It has a search tool function that allows enthusiasts to read about the brand’s history, model names, and other essential information. It is also possible to share articles with friends.
Quality of Movements
For a large number of watch enthusiasts, the types of movements used to power the timepiece are incredibly important. Mechanisms that are made in-house are viewed to be far superior than those that have been outsourced.
To keep costs low, the vast majority of companies in the same market as Tudor continuously use mechanisms created by third party companies.
Tudor itself used to follow suit with all of its watches, however it has since introduced more and more timepieces that are powered by in-house movements.
This immediately sets Tudor apart from the competition and is another reason why the brand is a good watch company.
The Collections
Over the years, Tudor has launched many memorable and successful collections. The Black Bay range, for example, is one of the world’s most popular diving watches. This iconic collection has characteristics based on the brand’s history, such as the snowflake hands and domed dial.
Another popular collection is the North Flag range, that contains sleek retro features and advanced in-house mechanisms. The watches are based on the Oyster Prince timepieces that were used during the celebrated British expedition to North Greenland.
The Heritage Chrono is the final collection we will showcase here. Its timepieces are modernised versions of the Tudor Monte Carlo Chronographs that were popular in the 1900s. This goes to show that the company is unrivalled at refining and improving its watches.
Buy Second Hand Tudor Watches from Blowers Jewellers
If you are looking to purchase a Tudor watch, or any other item of luxury jewellery, you can rely on Blowers Jewellers to help. We are experts when it comes to the watch market, and have amassed decades of experience in helping our clients find the right product for them.
We understand that purchasing a luxury wristwatch can be an extremely personal occasion, which is why we will take the time to understand your style and requirements, before using our expertise to recommend what we believe to be the right solution. We also offer a generous Tudor watch finance scheme to help you purchase your desired item.
To find out more about how Blowers Jewellers can help, visit us in store at our boutique in Kingston Upon Hull, or via appointment at our office in London’s Mayfair. You can also contact a member of our team for further assistance.