For those seeking the prestige of a Rolex but facing availability or budget challenges, Tudor often emerges as the next best option. Owned by replica Rolex, Tudor delivers impressive quality and value, and its affiliation with the luxury giant adds a layer of prestige. But how exactly do Tudor watches differ from their more expensive counterparts?
We visited the Tudor headquarters, housed within the Rolex complex in Geneva, to understand what sets these watches apart.
Are Tudor Watches Just Rebranded Rolexes?
Despite their shared heritage, Tudor and Rolex are distinct brands. The difference goes beyond just the name; Tudor’s manufacturing processes, design choices, and brand philosophy distinguish it from Rolex.
While Rolex maintains a conservative and exclusive image, Tudor is more experimental and playful in its approach. The brand takes design risks you wouldn’t see from Rolex, using materials like bronze and silver or introducing unconventional models like the Black Bay P01. Tudor also has unique design features, such as the “snowflake” hands, giving the brand a recognizable identity.
The Manufacturing Process: Not Quite Rolex, but Close
When purchasing a Tudor watch, you’re not getting a product made by imitation Rolex. While Rolex manufactures nearly all its components in-house, Tudor sources its cases and other parts from Swiss suppliers. This helps keep prices more accessible. That said, Tudor now develops and produces many of its own movements, although some collections still use outsourced movements.
What Tudor Shares with Rolex
Although Tudor operates differently from Rolex, its core values reflect its parent company’s focus on quality. Founded in 1946 by Hans Wilsdorf, Tudor was intended to offer reliable watches at a lower price point than Rolex. The ethos of creating the best possible products in their respective price brackets still drives both brands today.
Tudor’s prestige, while not on the same level as clone Rolex’s, is notable. Models like the Black Bay are among the most recognizable watches on the market and hold considerable appeal for watch enthusiasts.
Made in Switzerland: Where Craftsmanship Meets Tradition
Tudor watches are crafted in Switzerland, exceeding the requirements for the “Swiss Made” label. Their components are assembled at the Geneva headquarters, with movement production taking place in Le Locle, Switzerland’s renowned watchmaking region.
Quality Assurance at Tudor
Tudor’s Geneva facilities mirror the clinical precision of Rolex. Every stage of production is meticulous, with a mix of advanced technology and expert craftsmanship ensuring flawless execution. For example, machines assist in aligning components perfectly, but skilled workers are still involved at almost every stage.
Like Rolex, Tudor subjects its watches to rigorous testing, including water resistance and durability assessments. The brand’s in-house movements are COSC chronometer-certified, and some models meet the even more demanding METAS certification standards.
What is METAS Certification?
The METAS (Swiss Federal Institute of Meteorology) certification is a higher-level performance guarantee than COSC. To earn this certification, a watch must meet stringent standards, including a daily accuracy deviation of no more than five seconds, resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, and water resistance. Currently, only select Black Bay models carry this certification, but it signals Tudor’s commitment to continuous improvement.
