Shopping for a Tudor Watch
Like its ornate brethren Rolex, the Tudor set of timepieces carries an air of class and sophistication rarely matched among contemporary watch manufacturers. Unlike Rolex, a Tudor watch piece comes at a modest price, generally between $1600 and $4500. Bearing in mind the exceptional quality, luxury and price, many enthusiasts consider the Tudor brand to be a healthy and viable alternative to Rolex.
Considering their shared history (Tudor being an off-shoot of Rolex), the two types of watches share physical similarities. They boast waterproof Oyster casings and the high-precision automatic movement from its perpetual self-winding mechanisms. The watch ticks at 8 beats per second, giving the second hand the illusion of gliding over the watch-face. If one were to consider purchasing a Tudor, how would you go about it? What type of Tudor is right for you?
For those that prefer heartiness in their timepiece, The Tudor Chronograph Collection features a very robust physical style. It sits strong on the wrist and excels in functionality. Various knobs and dials adorn the watch-face. An interesting feature among this sporty collection is the rapid date corrector, which allows the user to depress the knob inwards to set the date, rather than pulling out the crown and twisting it. Generally the power reserve sits around 46 hours, and it's water resistance tops out at 150 meters deep. While the Chronograph Collection is certainly not discreet, it is anything but cumbersome. It is a showy, ornate watch that is sure to catch the eye. Pricing on this line ranges from $2,000 to $4,500.
Many consider the Tudor Hydronaut Collection to be the female equivalent to the sturdy and showy Chronographs. While the Hydronauts are certainly more slender than their Chronograph counterparts, they are certainly larger than most ladies’ watches. The power reserve is around 38 hours and water resistance is at 150 meters. For women with a penchant for showy watches, this is for you. These watches range from $1600 to $2700.
For those interested in a sleeker, more streamlined timepiece consider the Archeo collection. Made for both men and women, this model features a rectangular face, quartz chronograph movement, and a black Arabic dial. Date correction is standard, as a quick pull and turn of the crown will set the date and time. For some the most attractive characteristic of this watch is not its glossy design, but rather its modest price. Men’s watches fetch between $1,600 and $2,600, while the women’s are priced between $1,200 and $2,000.
The Tudor Classic Collection boasts a traditional, simple, elegant style. Like its other Tudor counterparts, the Classic has a perpetual self-winding mechanism and fluted bezel in steel case. It is characterized by its monochromatic face, steel bracelet, and diamond studded dial. For those with an affinity for a classical styling in their watch, the understated sophistication presented by the Classic Collection will delight. General pricing ranged from $2100 to $2900. However, if a touch of flair is more your style, Tudor features a Classic with a dazzling yellow-gold casing and band.
