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A Journey Through Time, the TUDOR Story
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
THE TUDOR STORY
The story of TUDOR watches is an admirable one. The world has changed immeasurably since its foundation in 1926, and yet it has remained true to its mission as set out by founder Hans Wilsdorf, to provide high-quality, durable watches at a more affordable price. With the help of the house of Veuve de Philippe Hüther, the TUDOR trademark was officially registered, and an icon was born. In 1936, TUDOR watches would be stunningly embellished with the Rose of the House of Tudor, which was inscribed within a shield. TUDOR was officially launched to the world with the formation of the Montres TUDOR S.A in 1946, with their first advertisements being released in 1948.
THE BIRTH OF A PRINCE
In 1952, TUDOR launched the Oyster Prince with a campaign that shook the watchmaking world. It was focused on strength, reliability, precision, and everyday people, using illustrations of men working in extreme conditions. There was a market of people that had long been neglected in the promotion of luxury watches, and this campaign resonated them, a relationship that remains to this day. Through this campaign, Hans Wilsdorf showed a great belief that his new product would be a success, using it as an opportunity to link the Rolex and TUDOR brands. The TUDOR Oyster Prince would be infused with two signature Rolex features, the waterproof Oyster case, and the world-renowned self-winding perpetual ‘rotor’ mechanism.
COMMITMENT TO DURABILITY
In 1952, 26 Oyster Princes were included in the British scientific expedition to Greenland, headed by the Royal Navy, further proving to the world the reliability of the Tudor brand. This would continue to be central to Tudor’s identity, and in 1953 they put the durability of the Oyster Prince to the test. One of these tests involved the watch being worn for 30 hours by someone operating a pneumatic drill. The watch endured, ticking just as smoothly as it had before this. TUDOR were trailblazers in their marketing and product testing, never compromising in their ability to provide stunning, high-quality watches. Some things never change.
FOR THE DIVERS
In 1954, Tudor released the Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner, quickly establishing itself as a staple in the professional diving world. They offered a sleek, waterproof design that remained affordable. Tudor continually improved their design and were able to double the maximum functional immersion depth from 100 metres to 200 metres with the release of the 1958 configuration of the watch.
TUDOR's relationship with the French Navy begain in the 1950s, when Rolex were testing various submariners under the Tudor name. The Marine Nationale were integral to the testing of these watches and various design elements of new models are inspired by this period where French Navy diving personnel would often use parachute belts as bracelets, the elastic material being perfect for use over their diving suits.
Tudor announced an official partnership with the Marine Nationale in 2021 with the release of the TUDOR Pelagos FXD to celebrate their rich history and collaboration.
In 1964, the US Navy began using a version of the Submariner as their watch of choice, bearing the engravings of US Navy supplies and a flexible bracelet for more practical use. Three years later in 1967, Tudor began developing a new watch on behalf of the US military, a project that never saw the light of day. However, Tudor were not ready to entirely give up on this part of the history, honouring it with the release of the stunning Black Bay P01 model.
SOUND THE ALARM
The alarm watch was far from common in 1957, but Tudor had never been one to play by the books. They released the Advisor that year, which is the only model in Tudor history to contain an alarm feature, with three versions being released between 1957 and 1977. Thirty-four years later in 2011, the Advisor was relaunched and redesigned, giving another generation a new opportunity to appreciate this historic timepiece.
BUILDING THE FUTURE, CREATING A LEGACY
The Oysterdate was released in 1970, TUDOR’s first chronograph, immediately being followed by the second series in 1971, nicknamed the ‘Montecarlo’. It's said that the Oysterdate chronograph reached its peak in 1995 with the 79000 series in terms of durability and performance. Since this time, TUDOR has continued to produce high-quality chronographs, gaining further reverence and legendary status in sports, including partnerships with icons such as David Beckham, who can be often seen sporting a Black Bay Chrono in steel.
Tudor takes immense pride in their rich history and embraces the influence of their past to craft contemporary, timeless watches that build upon their foundation. The all-new Black Bay 54 is the perfect example of this, which artfully pays tribute to the iconic Black Bay from 1954—their inaugural dive watch—infusing it with a modern touch while preserving its timeless essence.
The story of TUDOR is far from finished, and the brand remains at the forefront of watchmaking excitement. This year, they have unveiled a captivating array of new releases, including the TUDOR Pelagos Alhingi Red Bull Racing Special Edition, the TUDOR Black Bay 54, and further expansions across their collections. Undoubtedly, as the Born To Dare ethos continues to drive them, TUDOR will persist in forging new paths, constantly innovating with upcoming releases. Their famed 1953 campaign still rings true today, and TUDOR watches remain some of the most practical, well-designed watches in the world of horology.
DISCOVER THE POWER OF TUDOR
As an authorised TUDOR Retailer, we take immense pride in presenting these exquisite timepieces. Should you desire a firsthand experience of our diverse range of TUDOR watches, don't hesitate to reach out to us by calling on 01234 630821. Our dedicated specialists are eager to assist and guide you in making the perfect choice.
