{{short description|Swiss watchmaker founded by Hans Wilsdorf}} {{Infobox company | name = Montres Tudor SA | logo = Tudor_Watches_logo.svg | logo_upright = 0.7 | foundation = {{Start date and age|1926}} in Geneva, Switzerland | founder = Hans Wilsdorf | location_city = Geneva | location_country = Switzerland | type = Subsidiary | industry = Watchmaking | parent = Hans Wilsdorf Foundation | production = {{circa}} 200,000 (2015)<ref name="ref2"/> | num_employees = 194 (2016)<ref name="ref3"/> | homepage = [https://www.tudorwatch.com/ tudorwatch.com] }} '''Montres Tudor SA''', or simply '''Tudor''', is a Swiss watchmaker based in Geneva, Switzerland. Registered in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex, the brand remains a sister company to Rolex; both companies are owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation. Tudor was initially known for watches produced for the military and professional divers. From the 1960s to 1980s,<ref name="ref_Tudor_Pelagos"/> several navies issued Tudor Submariners to their divers, including the US Navy SEALs and the French Marine Nationale.<ref name="ref1"/>
==History==
===Origins=== [[File:263-tudor-76100-submariner-marine-nationale-1979-mostra-store-aix-en-provence-27.jpg|thumb|right|1979 Tudor Submariner issued to the French Marine Nationale showcasing the brand's trademark "snowflake" handset]] The Tudor trademark was registered in 1926 by Swiss watchmaking company ''Veuve de Philippe Hüther'' on behalf of Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex watches. In 1936, Wilsdorf took it over and went on to found the company Montres Tudor SA in 1946.<ref name="ref_RolexSister"/>
Tudor's purpose was to offer a more affordable watch than Rolex while maintaining Rolex-like quality. Tudor watches were originally equipped with off-the-shelf movements paired with Rolex cases and bracelets, allowing Tudor to provide reliability and quality while achieving its price goals.<ref name="ref5"/><ref name="ref6"/>
Tudor debuted its Oyster collection in the mid-forties, featuring a waterproof Oyster case previously exclusive to Rolex.<ref name="ref_Tudor_Pelagos"/> In 1952, Tudor released its first self-winding model, the Prince, which used a Rolex self-winding mechanism.<ref name="ref_Tudor_Pelagos"/><ref name="ref7"/> Twenty-six Tudor Oyster Princes were included in the British North Greenland expedition of 1952–1954.<ref name="ref_Tudor_History"/>
The adoption of the Oyster case and self-winding rotor facilitated Tudor's move into the production of tool watches. The French Navy was involved in field research for a Tudor diving watch;<ref name="ref10"/> from the 1960s to the mid-1980s, Tudor tool watches were supplied to the French Navy in bulk without bracelets<ref name="ref_Tudor_Pelagos"/> so military-issued straps could be used instead. Tudor launched its first diving watch in 1954, the Oyster Prince Submariner, waterproof to 100 metres, which increased to 200 metres in 1958.<ref name="ref_Tudor_Sub"/>
Over the years the Submariner line adopted various features such as the "big crown" and "snowflake hands" (which have been reintroduced in for Tudor's current catalogue).<ref name="ref_Tudor_Sub"/> In 1964, Tudor began producing an Oyster Prince Submariner specifically for the US Navy.<ref name="ref11"/> 1957 saw the launch of the Tudor Advisor, which incorporated an alarm complication,<ref name="ref12"/> the first Oyster model to amplify sound. Later in 1969 this was changed to a more ‘traditional’ alarm case with an external case back to increase its volume.<ref name="ref13"/>
In 1970, Tudor released its first chronograph, the Oysterdate, with a manually wound Valjoux mechanical calibre 7734 and cam chronograph function. The second series, introduced in 1971, was nicknamed "Montecarlo" because its dial resembles a roulette wheel. The third series, Oysterdate "Big Block", debuted in 1976, was the first Tudor chronograph to introduce a self-winding movement.<ref name="ref14"/><ref name="ref15"/> The Tudor Monarch collection launched in 1991 and the Tudor Hydronaut in 1999. Tudor Date-Day, part of the Tudor Glamour series under the Classic line|thumb
===Recent Tudor models=== In 2009, Tudor instigated a major brand relaunch with new product lines: first, the Tudor Grantour Chronograph<ref name="ref_Tudor"/> and Tudor Glamour collection of classic watches, followed in 2010 by the Heritage Chrono, inspired by the Tudor “Montecarlo” from the 1970s.<ref name="ref17"/> The Heritage Chrono was the first of the Tudor Heritage line of watches designed to echo Tudor's best-known vintage models and also the first to come with an additional fabric strap.
2011 saw the release of the Tudor Heritage Advisor alarm watch, the Fastrider Chronograph, and the Clair de Rose collection for women. In 2012, the focus was on diver watches, with the Heritage Black Bay, a reinterpretation of early Tudor Submariner models,<ref name="ref18"/> and the Pelagos diver watch. The Pelagos has a 42 mm titanium case, the first titanium watch from the Rolex group,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tudor-pelagos-review|title=A Week on the Wrist: The Tudor Pelagos}}</ref> and is waterproof to 500 metres.<ref name="ref_Tudor_Pelagos"/> In 2013, the Heritage Black Bay won the Revival prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève<ref name="ref19"/> and the Pelagos won the “Sports Watch” prize in 2015.<ref name="ref20"/> In 2014, Tudor expanded the Heritage collection with the Ranger, a military-style watch similar to a 1967 model.<ref name="ref_Baselworld_2014"/> The year also saw the launch of the Tudor Style line of men's and women's dress watches.<ref name="ref_Baselworld_2014"/>
In 2015, Tudor launched the North Flag, named for a key moment in Tudor's history, the British North Greenland Expedition. The North Flag was the first Tudor model to be fitted with an in-house movement, calibre MT5621.<ref name="ref21" /> During 2016 and 2017, “Manufacture” movements were introduced across all of Tudor's sport watches and the Black Bay line of diver's watches was broadened. In 2018, Tudor announced the Heritage Black Bay GMT at the Baselworld fair. It was the first Heritage Black Bay model to have the GMT function with the in-house, COSC-certified MT5652 movement. The blue-red bezel design is also a homage to the Rolex GMT Master Pepsi model from their sibling brand Rolex.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tudor-black-bay-gmt-review|title=A Week on the Wrist: The Tudor Black Bay GMT}}</ref> Also launched at Baselworld 2018 were the 1926 and Black Bay 58, two heritage-inspired lines named after the year Tudor was trademarked and the year the first 200-meter water-resistant Tudor Submariner was released, respectively.
===Current models=== Tudor currently offers five categories of watches with many different sub-models: * Tudor Black Bay Line (heritage-inspired dive watch with GMT, bronze, silver, two-tone, and chronograph complications) * Sports Watches (Tudor Ranger, Tudor Royal, and Pelagos FXD) * Classic Watches (Tudor Glamour series, as well as 1926 and Clair de Rose) * Diving Watches (Tudor Pelagos line) * Women's Watches
==Watchmaking and features==
===Tudor-manufactured movements=== Some movements used in Tudor classic watches are manufactured by the Swiss companies ETA, Sellita or Valjoux,<ref name="ref22"/> but in 2015, Tudor launched its first in-house movement for its Pelagos and North Flag watches. In 2017, Tudor entered into a cooperative agreement with Breitling, providing the MT5612 movement from the Tudor Pelagos for Breitling's Superocean Heritage watch, while in return Breitling produces the Tudor Calibre MT5813 movement for use in the new Tudor Heritage Chronograph, based on the Breitling B01.<ref name="ref23"/><ref name="ref24"/><ref name="ref25"/>
Tudor produces variants of its 2015 "Manufacture Calibre": the MT 5601 was developed specifically for the Black Bay Bronze model and is slightly larger in diameter and displays hours, minutes and seconds functions, and the MT5602 was developed for the Black Bay and the Black Bay Dark models, and also displays hours, minutes and seconds.
Caliber MT5402 is a smaller and thinner version of the 5602, developed for the Black Bay 58 line. As of its release in 2018, it is only available without date display and carries the same specs of movement speed, material use, structure and power reserve as the 5602. As of 2021, it also exists as MT5400, a slightly modified size version for the Black Bay 58 models with open case back to fit the sapphire case-back size.
On May 25, 2021, Tudor announced their Manufacture Calibre MT5602-1U alongside their new Black Bay Ceramic timepiece. The movement is almost entirely black, with a black tungsten rotor, a 70-hour power reserve, and a silicon hairspring. It is the company's first METAS Master Chronometer timepiece, able to function within a tolerance range of 0/+5 seconds per day.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Adams|first=Ariel|date=May 25, 2021|title=Tudor Black Bay Ceramic Master Chronometer Watch|url=https://www.ablogtowatch.com/tudor-black-bay-ceramic-master-chronometer-watch/|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=aBlogtoWatch}}</ref>
Tudor in-house mechanical movements typically function within a tolerance range of -4/+6 seconds per day. This average daily rate level is in line with COSC Chronometer standards, which Tudor often certifies its movements to.
===Fabric straps=== {{ main | watch strap#NATO Straps }}
Fabric straps were used by NATO forces from the mid-twentieth century as a functional and hardwearing alternative to leather and metal watch bracelets;<ref name="ref26"/> however, the two-piece strap now known as the "NATO strap" debuted in the British Ministry of Defence in 1973. Military watch bands had to be hardwearing and secure, and with the additions of spring bars and an added nylon strap, the NATO strap provided the best security.<ref name="ref_NatoStrap"/> They were also used by many professional divers, since leather straps do not suit water, and they could be adapted to fit over a diving suit more easily than metal bracelets. The NATO strap was initially only available in a 20mm wide ‘Admiralty Grey’ nylon variety, but as the style gained popularity, the different British military regiments began producing straps in all manner of regimental colors.<ref name="ref27"/> Over time, military men began to customize their watch straps, taking on the colors of the regiments they were in, creating the colorful stripes NATO straps are now often known for.<ref name="ref_NatoStrap"/>
In the early 2000s, sports watches with fabric straps became popular.<ref name="ref28"/> At the 2010 launch of the Heritage Chrono watch, Tudor supplied both a metal bracelet and a fabric strap with the watch. Tudor's fabric straps are woven by a passementerie manufacturer near St.-Etienne, the centre of French silk weaving since the 15th century. The same firm also makes ribbons for Vatican medals as well as decorative trimmings for haute couture houses, including Chanel.<ref name="ref29"/>
==Branding== [[File:Tudor Rose.svg|right|140px|thumb | Tudor rose ]] The first Tudor watches produced in the 1920s and 1930s bore a Tudor signature on the dial, with the horizontal bar of the T lengthened above the other letters; on some rare pieces, the name Rolex also appears.<ref name="ref30"/> Around 1936, the logo changed to the name in Gothic characters accompanied by a shield bearing the Tudor rose,<ref name="ref_Tudor"/> the emblem of the English Tudor dynasty. In 1947, one year after the official launch of Tudor Montres SA, the shield was removed and the rose appeared alone with the brand name. From 1969 only the shield was used; the shield logo remains on all Tudor watches, while the rose is now used on the winding crowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montres TUDOR {{!}} Histoire {{!}} De 1960 à 1969 |url=https://www.tudorwatch.com/fr/au-coeur-de-tudor/histoire/histoire-tudor-origines-1960-1969 |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=tudorwatch |language=fr}}</ref>
==Marketing and distribution==
===Advertising campaigns=== In 1953, Tudor launched a campaign based on robustness tests of the Oyster Prince and its endurance in difficult conditions. The adverts included a watch worn by a coal miner during 252 hours of hand excavation, a watch subjected to the vibrations of a pneumatic drill for 30 hours worn by a stone cutter for three months, a watch worn for a month while riveting metal girders in metal construction, and a watch worn by a motorbike racer over a distance of 1,000 miles.<ref name="ref_Tudor_History"/> As time went by, Tudor began narrowing its focus on watches with a more technical design inspired by dangerous professions. These watches had particular functional features, like diver models with date or chronograph function. The individuals selected for the Tudor Prince Submariner and Tudor Prince Date-Day advertising campaigns were not well-known celebrities, but rather everyday people chosen due to their profession. They included rescue divers, mining engineers and rally drivers, all photographed with their equipment.<ref name="ref_RolexSister"/>
A major brand relaunch took place in 2009, with a new product line, Tudor Grantour, featuring a new advertising campaign "Designed for performance. Engineered for elegance." The marketing placed a new emphasis on style, in contrast with the 1980s communications based on strength and durability. In 2017, the "Born To Dare" campaign was launched, featuring David Beckham, Lady Gaga, and Jay Chou and a partnership with the New Zealand rugby team All Blacks and their player Beauden Barrett.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
Tudor acted as official timekeeper at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, held in San Francisco<ref>{{cite news |title=TUDOR is the official timekeeper of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 |url=https://www.gq.co.za/style/watches/tudor-is-the-official-timekeeper-of-rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-16565642 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=GQ |date=22 June 2018}}</ref> and the 2019 Rugby World Cup, held in Japan. Tudor reprised its role as Official Timekeeper and was also a main sponsor of the Rugby Union World Cup held in France in September/October 2023 <ref>{{cite news |last1=Naas |first1=Roberta |title=Tudor Watches, Official Timekeeper Of Rugby World Cup 2019, Unveils Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertanaas/2019/09/14/tudor-watches-official-timekeeper-of-rugby-world-cup-2019-unveils-tudor-black-bay-chrono-dark/#2241b4785f31 |access-date=3 July 2020 |work=Forbes |date=14 September 2019}}</ref>
In 2024, Tudor became an official partner of the Racing Bulls VCARB 02 Formula 1 team, with the Tudor branding visible on the rear wing and on the drivers racing suits. <ref>{{Cite web |title=TUDOR X Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team {{!}} TUDOR Watch |url=https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/partnerships/visa-cash-app-rb-formula-one-team |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=tudorwatch |language=en}}</ref>
===Distribution=== Tudor watches are marketed and sold in many countries around the world including the United States; Australia; Canada; India; Mexico; South Africa; some countries in Europe; South Asia; the Middle East; and countries in South America, particularly Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela. Montres Tudor SA discontinued sales in the US and UK in the early 2000s, resuming in the US in 2013 and the UK in 2014.<ref name="ref31"/>
==References== <references>
<ref name="ref_Tudor_Pelagos"> {{cite web|title= The Tudor Pelagos|url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tudor-pelagos-review |work=www.hodinkee.com|date=21 February 2013}}</ref> <ref name="ref_Tudor_Sub"> {{cite web|title= tudor history - the submariners: from 1954 to 1968|url=https://www.tudorwatch.com/magazine/article/tudor-history-submariners-1954-to-1968/|work=www.tudorwatch.com}}</ref> <ref name="ref_Baselworld_2014"> {{cite web|title= A Look Back At Baselworld 2014: Tudor's Heritage Ranger and New "Style" Line|url= https://www.watchtime.com/blog/baselworld/baselworld-2014-tudors-heritage-ranger-and-new-style-line/|work= www.watchtime.com|date=2 January 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref_NatoStrap"> {{cite web|title=Everything You Need To Know About The Nato Strap|url=https://theidleman.com/manual/advice/nato-strap/|work=www.theidleman.com}}</ref> <ref name="ref_Tudor"> {{cite web|title=Tudor|url=http://timetransformed.com/2015/09/11/tudor/|work=www.timetransformed.com|date=11 September 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref_Tudor_History"> {{cite web|title= Tudor History|url=http://www.officialwatches.com/tudor/history/|work= www.officialwatches.com}}</ref> <ref name="ref_RolexSister"> {{cite web|title=Tudor, Rolex's little sister, is making efforts to get more and more attractive. The plans of the brand are ambitious|url=http://www.watch-insider.com/reportages/tudor-rolexs-sister-making-efforts-attractive-plans-brand-ambitious/|work=www.watch-insider.com|date=3 July 2013}}</ref> <ref name="ref1"> {{cite web|title=Brief History of Tudor Dive Watches|url=https://www.revolution.watch/brief-history-of-tudor-dive-watches/?old-article/|work=www.revolution.watch|date=16 February 2016}}</ref> <ref name="ref2">{{cite web|title=Baselworld 2015 : chacun cherche son filon|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/horlogerie/2015/03/20/30006-20150320ARTFIG00024-baselworld-2015-chacun-cherche-son-filon.php/|work=Lefigaro.fr|date=March 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref3">{{cite web|title=Montres Le Guide, numéro 13|url=http://www.biph.ch/includes/FR_DEF_doubles_BD.pdf|work=Bureau d'Information et de Presse Horlogère|date=2015–2016}}</ref> <ref name="ref5"> {{cite web|title= A Story of Transcendence|url=https://www.revolution.watch/a-story-of-transcendence/?old-article/|work=www.revolution.watch|date=2 December 2016}}</ref> <ref name="ref6"> {{cite web|title= Rolex - Wikipedia|url= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolex|work= www.wikipedia.org}}{{circular reference|date=April 2026}}</ref> <ref name="ref7"> {{cite web|title= Deconstructed: Tudor Day-Date, Ref. 7017, circa 1969|url=http://www.christies.com/features/Tudor-Oyster-Prince-Day-Date-7017-Deconstructed-5745-1.asp/|work=www.christies.com|date=3 March 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref10"> {{cite web|title= The Tudor MilSub: Part I|url=https://www.revolution.watch/the-tudor-milsub-part-i/?old-article/|work=www.revolution.watch|date=17 November 2017}}</ref> <ref name="ref11"> {{cite web|title= tudor history - the submariners: military divers' watches |url=https://www.tudorwatch.com/magazine/article/tudor-history-submariners-military-watches/|work=www.tudorwatch.com}}</ref> <ref name="ref12"> {{cite web|title= The Tudor Heritage Advisor|url= https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tudor-heritage-advisor-review/|work=www.hodinkee.com|date=17 April 2014}}</ref> <ref name="ref13"> {{cite web|title= A Brief History of the Tudor Advisor|url=https://www.timepiecechronicle.com/features/2016/12/2/a-brief-history-of-the-tudor-advisor|work=www.timepiecechronicle.com|date=7 December 2016}}</ref> <ref name="ref14"> {{cite web|title=tudor history - The chronographs: from 1971 to 1976|url= https://www.tudorwatch.com/magazine/article/tudor-history-chronographs-1971-to-1976|work=www.hodinkee.com}}</ref> <ref name="ref15"> {{cite web|title=Tudor and its Heritage – The 1970s Chronographs and the Tudor Heritage Chrono|url=https://monochrome-watches.com/tudor-heritage-1970s-chronographs-tudor-heritage-chrono/|work=www.monochrome-watches.com|date=10 November 2016}}</ref> <ref name="ref17"> {{cite web|title=Baselworld 2013 … The Tudor Novelties|url=http://www.watch-insider.com/news/baselworld-2013-tudor-novelties/|work=www.watch-insider.com|date=27 April 2013}}</ref> <ref name="ref18"> {{cite web|title=The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Watch Blends History with Time|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertanaas/2015/10/15/meet-the-tudor-heritage-black-bay-black-watch-and-see-how-history-blends-with-time/#1778fdde7a38/|work=www.forbes.com|date=15 October 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref19"> {{cite web|title=Tudor Heritage Black Bay|url=http://www.gphg.org/horlogerie/en/watches/heritage-black-bay-1/|work=www.gphg.org|date=20 June 2016}}</ref> <ref name="ref20"> {{cite web|title=Tudor Pelagos wins "Sports Watch" prize at 2015 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève|url=http://www.luxury-insider.com/luxury-news/2015/11/tudor-pelagos-sports-watch-2015-grand-prix-dhorlogerie-de-geneve/|work=www.luxury-insider.com|date=3 November 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref21"> {{cite web|title=Baselworld 2015: Tudor North Flag Features the Brand's First In-House Movement (Updated with Live Photos)|url=https://www.watchtime.com/blog/baselworld/baselworld-2015-tudor-north-flag-in-house-movement/|work=www.watchtime.com|date=27 March 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref22"> {{cite web|title=What's the difference between Tudor and Rolex?|url=https://beckertime.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-tudor-and-rolex/|work=www.beckertime.com|date=14 March 2017}}</ref> <ref name="ref23"> {{cite web|title=Start of a new movement – why Breitling and Tudor have teamed up|url=https://www.salonqp.com/analysis/start-new-movement-breitling-tudor-teamed/|work=www.salonqp.com|date=14 March 2017}}</ref> <ref name="ref24"> {{cite web|title=OPINION – Joining Forces For The Best? The Tudor / Breitling Mechanical Alliance|url=https://monochrome-watches.com/tudor-breitling-alliance-movements-exchange-opinion/|work=www.monochrome-watches.com|date=21 April 2017}}</ref> <ref name="ref25"> {{cite news|title=Avec Beckham et les All Blacks, Tudor veut changer de dimension|url=https://www.letemps.ch/economie/2017/05/30/beckham-all-blacks-tudor-veut-changer-dimension|work=www.letemps.ch|date=30 May 2017}}</ref> <ref name="ref26"> {{cite web|title=Explaining The History Of The NATO Strap|url=http://watchesbysjx.com/2013/10/explaining-the-history-of-the-nato-strap.html|work=www.watchesbysjx.com|date=28 October 2013}}</ref> <ref name="ref27"> {{cite web|title=The Fascinating and Humble History of the NATO Watch Strap|url=https://gearpatrol.com/2017/12/06/icon-nato-strap/|work=www.gearpatrol.com|date=December 2017}}</ref> <ref name="ref28"> {{cite web|title=Tudor teams up with a third generation French weaver on fabric watch straps|url=https://www.wallpaper.com/watches-and-jewellery/tudor-teams-up-with-a-third-generation-french-weaver-on-fabric-watch-straps|work=www.wallpaper.com|date=14 September 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref29"> {{cite web|title=Explaining How Tudor's Fabric NATO Straps Are Made (with Video)|url=http://watchesbysjx.com/2015/08/explaining-how-tudors-fabric-nato-straps-are-made-with-video.html|work=www.watchesbysjx.com|date=15 August 2015}}</ref> <ref name="ref30"> {{cite web|title=tudor history - The Origins: from 1926 to 1949|url=https://www.tudorwatch.com/magazine/article/tudor-history-origins-1926-to-1949|work=www.tudorwatch.com}}</ref> <ref name="ref31"> {{cite web|title=It's Official: Tudor Is Coming Back To The United States, And Soon!|url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/its-official-tudor-returning-to-the-united-states|work=www.hodinkee.com|date=4 March 2013}}</ref>
</references>
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tudor}} Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1926 Category:Swiss watch brands Category:Rolex