Watch collectors and enthusiasts would know for a fact that Tudor is the sister company of Rolex. In 2010, the former gained traction in the watch industry when they had a revamp and released iconic timepieces like the Tudor Black Bay and Pelagos. Yes, Tudor made a name for itself being Rolex’s more affordable “younger sibling,” but it has come into its own, especially in craftsmanship, reliability, and everything in between.
Still, there are striking differences that define Tudor and Rolex. But before we take a look at them, let us take a sneak peek at Tudor company facts:
- Founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf
- Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland
- Supplied watches to the US Navy and French Marine Nationale
- Started doing in-house movements in 2016
About Tudor and Rolex
At first, Rolex built its now-legendary (to say the least) reputation based on a robust and water-resistant Oyster case. That being said, Tudor was able to deliver a more modest price point. This was complemented by generic movement and Rolex-manufactured components. In line with this, while the mechanisms that are utilized in Tudor watches are identical to those that are found inside those from other manufacturers, their Rolex-manufactured cases ensure that they still deliver the same level of water resistance as well as durability as their higher-priced Rolex siblings.
Also, while humbler outsourced movements were used in Tudor’s earlier models, following its major relaunch in 2015, the company started using higher quality materials. This company-initiated movement paved the way to the release of the Cal. MT5621. During that time, it was its new North Flag model and since then, Tudor released more impressive timepieces without the need to raise its prices. This is possible thanks to the fact that they are created in-house.
In addition, through in-house movements, Tudor was able to add an extra dimension to its value. Other notable technological advancements such as silicon hairsprings, scratch-resistant ceramic bezels, and titanium cases made it to succeeding models, making its watches on par with Rolex’s contemporary pieces when it comes to technology.
Design
From the get-go, Rolex used recognizable designs that are a cut above the rest: from classic Rolex Datejust to its iconic Submariner. This attribute has been brought to the company’s current line-up; in fact, some of the designs that they use have been around since the 1940s.
Tudor, on the other hand, has been Rolex’s channel for experimentation. And because of this their designs are very different from those of Rolex. For instance, while some models such as the Tudor Submariner are inspired by their Rolex counterparts, Tudor watches are more on the adventurous side. They use materials like Titanium, cloth watch straps that are complemented by active designs that are not usually employed by Rolex.
Summing up
In the end, Tudor and Rolex are similar but different. This, because Rolex is more luxury-oriented, offering high-end timepieces that are unlike any other. Tudor, on the other hand, is for those who are slightly out of Rolex’s price range, but are still looking for aesthetically appealing watches that pack durability and reliability.
It is important to note that Tudor’s and Rolex’s management are in lockstep, they will never be in direct competition with each other. Also, with Tudor now making a name for itself in the watch industry, it is safe to say that buying a Tudor watch–regardless of the model–no longer translates to settling for a pocket-friendly Rolex.
