Tudor Watches

The History of Tudor Watches

The Tudor name was registered back in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex. The idea was pretty straightforward. Build watches that offered the same kind of dependability people expected from Rolex, but at prices that didn’t feel completely out of reach. That vision became official in 1946 with the creation of Montres Tudor SA. Early Tudor watches relied on a simpler formula than today. Use Rolex’s waterproof Oyster case and reliable Swiss movements. It worked. By 1954, Tudor was making dive watches, just a year after the Rolex Submariner hit the market.

From the late 1950s through the 1980s, Tudor Submariners became standard issue equipment for the French Marine Nationale and the U.S. Navy SEALs. These weren't specially modified military timepieces. These were off-the-shelf production models, chosen because they could take a beating and still keep accurate time.  The brand's distinctive "Snowflake" hands came about in 1969, improved underwater legibility and became a Tudor signature that continues in modern collections. After a quieter period in the 1990s and 2000s, Tudor roared back with the Black Bay in 2012, introducing in-house movements by 2015 and establishing itself as a serious independent watchmaker.

Tudor Watch Collections

Tudor Black Bay

Tudor can thank the Black Bay, launched in 2012 for the success it enjoys today. That inaugural burgundy-bezeled diver has since grown into an impressive collection, also including GMTs, chronographs, and even dressier watches. It's 60 years of Tudor DNA, instilled into a fresh, modern collection. Vintage-inspired but still modern and capable. The oversized “Big Crown” comes straight from the 1958 ref. 7924, the squared-off Snowflake hands trace back to Tudor’s Marine Nationale watches from the late ’60s, and the domed crystals echo the brand’s earliest dive watches.

Current Black Bay options include the standard 41mm model, the popular 39mm Black Bay 58, the larger 43mm Black Bay 68 introduced in 2025 and the smaller 37mm Black Bay 54. There's also the Black Bay Pro GMT, Black Bay Chrono. There’s also versions in bronze, ceramic, steel and gold, and sterling silver. At Bob's Watches, Tudor Black Bay models typically sell between $3,100 and $4,300 depending on reference and condition. The Black Bay 58 and Black Bay GMT are the most requested, with the Fifty-Eight 79030 and GMT 79830RB among our consistent top sellers.

Tudor Pelagos

Where the Black Bay looks to the company’s past, the Tudor Pelagos embraces more of a performance-ready aesthetic. This titanium dive watch launched in 2012 with 500 meters of water resistance, a helium escape valve and luminescent markers designed for maximum underwater legibility. The Pelagos sits at the technical pinnacle of Tudor's lineup. Specifications compete directly with watches costing twice as much. The Grade 2 titanium case keeps it light and comfortable on the wrist, while the ceramic bezel adds the kind of scratch resistance you actually appreciate on a watch that’s meant to be used.

Tudor has continued to push the Pelagos in different directions. The 2025 Pelagos Ultra ups the ante with 1,000 meters of water resistance in a 43mm titanium case, essentially Tudor’s take on the Sea-Dweller concept. At the other end of the spectrum, the Pelagos 39 keeps the same materials and clean design in a more wearable size, with a 200-meter depth rating that’s plenty for most divers. There’s also the Pelagos FXD, developed alongside the French Navy’s combat swimmers, which swaps spring bars for fixed strap bars and uses a purpose-built bezel for underwater navigation. At Bob’s Watches, Pelagos models average around $3,991 on the pre-owned market, with references like the 25600TN and 25407 showing up most often.

Tudor 1926

The 1926 is named after the year Hans Wilsdorf registered the Tudor trademark. It's on the dreisser side. Design codes draw on the simplicity of the early 20th century, with cleaner dials, modest proportions, and very elegant details. Options include 28mm to 41mm models for both men and women. Smooth bezels, textured dials, and applied indices are all hallmarks of a classy, all-occasion dress watch.

Tudor gave the collection a small but meaningful update in 2025 with the Luna, introducing the brand’s first moon phase and adding a bit of character to an otherwise straightforward collection. Most standard 1926 models rely on proven Sellita-based movements. At Bob’s Watches, pre-owned models tend to hover around $1,800, making this one of the most affordable entry points into the Tudor lineup. Between steel and gold cases, diamond accents, and a wide variety of dial colors, it’s a collection that quietly lets you choose what fits you, rather than trying to make a statement for you.

Tudor Ranger

The Tudor Ranger is inspired by Tudor's expeditionary heritage, specifically the Oyster Prince watches that accompanied the British North Greenland Expedition from 1952 to 1954. It's a field watch that focuses more on legibility and ruggedness than anything else.  It has clean dials with bold hour markers and a fixed bezel.  Current models feature either a 36mm or 39mm stainless steel case and use a Tudor manufacture movement with an impressive 70-hour power reserve.

Tudor refreshed the Ranger collection in 2025 with new dial colors and a 36mm option, addressing requests for a more compact field watch. The Ranger's utilitarian design appeals to collectors who appreciate tool watches without dive-watch bulk. Available on a steel bracelet with T-Fit quick-adjust clasp or various fabric straps, pre-owned Rangers at Bob's Watches average around $2,970. The Ranger Black Arabic Dial has become a popular choice among buyers seeking versatile everyday wear.

Tudor Royal

The Tudor Royal is a newer collection released in 2020 that fully embraces the integrated bracelet trend. The name "Royal" comes from mid-century Tudor watches, while delivering a thoroughly modern sports-luxe aesthetic. Available in sizes from 28mm to 41mm with various dial configurations, the Royal competes in the accessible luxury sports watch segment alongside watches from TAG Heuer and Longines.

The Royal's integrated bracelet gives it a distinctive silhouette different from other Tudor collections. Diamond indices, date displays, and both monochrome and two-tone options provide plenty of variety. Pre-owned Royal models at Bob's Watches average $2,590, making them accessible entry points into Tudor ownership. For 2025, Tudor introduced new dial colors including an attractive blue variant that's drawn collector interest.

Clair De Rose

The Tudor Clair De Rose is a feminine and elegant collection of watches that combines classic design elements with modern touches. Available in a range of sizes and configurations, the Clair De Rose features a distinctive double bezel, a mother-of-pearl dial, and a choice of leather straps or metal bracelets, making it a perfect choice for women seeking a sophisticated and stylish timepiece.

Submariner

The Tudor Submariner represents a pivotal chapter in Tudor's history, initially launched as a more accessible alternative to the Rolex Submariner. Esteemed for its robust and functional design, it quickly became a favorite among divers and maritime professionals for its reliability and precision under extreme conditions. This model mirrors the aesthetic and technical qualities of its Rolex counterpart, yet it distinguishes itself through unique design elements such as different hand shapes and dial markings. Over the years, the Tudor Submariner has evolved, incorporating various improvements in its movements and water resistance capabilities, reflecting Tudor's commitment to innovation.

North Flag

The Tudor North Flag is a testament to Tudor's pioneering spirit, inspired by the brand's involvement in the British North Greenland Expedition in the 1950s. This model stands out with its integrated power reserve indicator and a distinctly modern design that features a sharp, angular case and a sporty yet sophisticated look. It was one of the first Tudor models to house an in-house movement, marking a significant milestone in Tudor's history of watchmaking independence. The North Flag's robust construction and precise functionality make it ideal for adventurers and those who demand reliability in challenging environments. Combining technical excellence with a bold aesthetic, the North Flag embodies Tudor's dedication to innovation and adventure.

Heritage

The Tudor Heritage line is a celebration of Tudor’s rich legacy, reviving iconic models from the past with a modern twist. Each piece in the Heritage collection is designed to pay homage to the classics, carefully blending historical elements with contemporary watchmaking technologies. The line includes the popular Heritage Black Bay, known for its distinctive angular hands and robust appearance, which draws inspiration from Tudor’s diving watches of the 1950s and 1960s. These timepieces are crafted for watch enthusiasts who appreciate a nod to the past while enjoying current technical advancements and style.

Fastrider

The Tudor Fastrider series is an embodiment of speed and precision, developed in partnership with the renowned motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati. This collection features chronograph functionality, ideal for tracking time in high-speed sports and everyday endeavors alike. With its bold, sporty design, the Fastrider showcases a tachymetric scale on the bezel, enhancing its utility for measuring speed over a known distance. The vibrant colors and dynamic case design reflect the energy and spirit of motorcycle racing, making the Fastrider a favorite among enthusiasts of both horology and motorsport.

Oyster Date

The Tudor Oyster Date stands as a classic within the Tudor portfolio, embodying elegance and precision in a timeless design. This model traces its roots back to Tudor's early days, featuring the iconic waterproof Oyster case that has been a hallmark of the brand's reliability and durability. The Oyster Date is celebrated for its versatility, presenting a range of styles from understated dials to more elaborate ones with intricate patterns. Ideal for both formal and casual settings, the Tudor Oyster Date combines functionality with a sleek aesthetic, making it a staple choice for those who value sophisticated watchmaking.

Tudor Watch Price Trends and Market Report

Tudor continues to be one of those brands that just makes sense on the pre-owned market. Looking at Bob’s Watches completed sales from 2015 through 2025, we’ve sold more than 2,000 Tudor watches. Average sale price is right around $3,700 and the median closer to $3,500. Most activity sits in a pretty approachable range. Nearly half of all Tudor sales land between $3,000 and $3,999, while another sizable chunk (about 28%) falls between $2,000 and $2,999. That reach is a big reason Tudor appeals to so many collectors. There’s room to get in without paying too much.

It’s no surprise that the Black Bay leads the pack. Roughly 69% of all Tudor sales come from the Black Bay family, with average prices hovering in the mid-$3,000s. Pelagos models tend to trade a bit higher, just under $4,000 on average, which tracks given the titanium cases and more serious dive specs. Vintage Tudor Submariners are a different story though. When they show up, prices jump, averaging close to $6,900. Discontinued models like the North Flag are still popular, typically landing in the low-to-mid $3,000 range.

What’s been especially noticeable lately is the momentum. Comparing 2024 to 2025 sales, Black Bay prices climbed over 12%, Pelagos rose just over 9%, and the Black Bay Pro saw more modest gains around 6%. Volume tells a similar story. We sold 579 Tudor watches in 2025, up from 435 the year before. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects a growing group of buyers who see Tudor for what it is: serious Swiss watchmaking, strong designs and pricing that still feels grounded.

Tudor Watch Specifications

Materials

Tudor constructs its cases from several materials depending on the collection. Stainless steel remains the primary choice for Black Bay, Ranger, Royal, and 1926 models, using 316L grade steel with various finishing techniques including satin brushing and polishing. The Pelagos collection uses Grade 2 titanium, which offers excellent corrosion resistance and approximately 40% weight savings compared to steel. Tudor's bronze models develop a unique patina over time through natural oxidation, making each piece distinct to its owner.

Tudor experiments more with materials across the Black Bay lineup. The Black Bay Ceramic is fully modern with a matte black monobloc ceramic case that’s tough to scratch and gives the watch a stealthy, high-tech feel. On the more unexpected side, Tudor shook things up with the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925, bringing sterling silver into the catalog, as well as the Fifty-Eight 18K in solid yellow gold for something far more traditional. There are also steel and gold two-tone versions. Across the board, you’ll find sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating and screw-down crowns, practical design elements that remind you these are still watches meant to be worn, not just looked at.

Movement

Tudor’s move to in-house Manufacture calibers marked a big turning point for the brand, signaling a shift from simply doing things well to doing them entirely on their own terms. The MT5602 powers the standard Black Bay and features a 31.8mm diameter, 70-hour power reserve, COSC chronometer certification, variable inertia balance wheel with silicon hairspring, and a traversing bridge for shock resistance. The MT5400 equips smaller models like the Black Bay 54 and Ranger, while the MT5612 with date function appears in the Pelagos. Chronograph models use the MT5813, developed in partnership with Breitling based on the respected B01 caliber.

Beginning in 2024, Tudor quietly took another step forward by rolling out METAS Master Chronometer–certified movements in select models, identified by the “-U” suffix, like the MT5602-U. What that really means in day-to-day terms is tighter accuracy standards, serious resistance to magnetism, and the reassurance that things like water resistance and power reserve are tested and verified by Switzerland’s Federal Institute of Metrology, not just claimed on paper. It’s a level of independent scrutiny used by only Tudor and OMEGA. Entry-level Tudor models like the Black Bay 36/39/41 and Royal use modified Sellita SW200 movements designated as the T600.

Bezel

Bezel designs vary across Tudor's collections based on intended function. On Tudor’s dive watches like the Black Bay and Pelagos, the bezel isn’t just there for looks. It’s a proper 60-minute unidirectional timer with a glowing pip at 12 o’clock so you can track elapsed time at a glance. The Black Bay, in particular, embraces its vintage personality with aluminum bezel inserts offered in a range of colors, from classic black to burgundy and green, plus the familiar red-and-blue “Pepsi” setup on the GMT. It’s functional first, but there’s still plenty of room for character. Pelagos models upgrade to ceramic inserts for improved scratch resistance.

The Black Bay Pro features a fixed 24-hour bezel for GMT function, while the Black Bay Chrono has a tachymeter-scaled bezel for speed calculations. Dress-oriented collections like the 1926 and Royal use fixed polished or knurled bezels that emphasize elegance over function. The Ranger has a simple polished fixed bezel appropriate for its field watch character. Collectors love Tudor’s various bezels for their precise clicks and satisfying tactile feedback.

Sizes

Tudor has one of the most diverse size ranges of any other brand. The Black Bay family spans from 37mm (Black Bay 54) through 39mm (Black Bay 58), 41mm (standard Black Bay), to the new 43mm Black Bay 68. Pelagos models come in 39mm, 42mm, and 43mm configurations. That range makes it easier to find something that actually suits your wrist, whether you prefer smaller, more understated proportions or a bit more presence. Tudor has also been quietly slimming things down in recent years, and it makes a real difference on the wrist. The newest Black Bay, at just 11.7mm thick, wears flatter, lighter, and far more comfortably than earlier versions.

Dress collections offer even wider variety. The 1926 ranges from 28mm to 41mm, with similar offerings in the Tudor Royal. These smaller sizes, particularly the 28mm and mid-size versions, specifically target the women's market, an area where Tudor has expanded significantly. The Ranger lineup now comes in both 36mm and 39mm, which gives you some flexibility depending on how you like a watch to sit on your wrist. And while diameter gets all the attention, things like lug-to-lug length and case thickness are just as important in real life. Tudor tends to get that balance right, so these watches wear true to size and don’t have that awkward lug overhang that can make an otherwise great watch feel off.

Water Resistance

Dive watch credentials define much of Tudor's identity, and water resistance ratings reflect that heritage. The Black Bay collection maintains 200 meters (20 bar) water resistance across all variants, sufficient for recreational diving and swimming without concern. The Pelagos line pushes further with 500 meters standard and the new Pelagos Ultra reaching 1,000 meters, both equipped with helium escape valves for saturation diving applications.

Tudor doesn’t forget about water resistance on its non-dive watches either. The Ranger is rated to 100 meters, making it perfectly comfortable around water, while the 1926 and Tudor Royal collections offer the same level of protection despite their dress watch looks. For everyday wear, that’s more than most people will ever need and adds a layer of reassurance you don’t always get with Swiss watches in this category. Across the lineup, Tudor relies on practical engineering, screw-down crowns, solid gasket systems, and well-sealed case backs to make sure these watches are built to handle real life, not just desk duty.

Watch Bands

Tudor has extensive strap and bracelet options across its collections. Steel bracelets come in two main styles: the three-link "Oyster-style" bracelet with optional rivet accents on Black Bay models, and the five-link bracelet with alternating polished and satin-brushed links. Both bracelet types now feature Tudor's "T-Fit" quick-adjust clasp for up to 8mm of on-the-fly sizing adjustment, a significant convenience upgrade introduced in recent years.

Alternative straps include fitted rubber with the snowflake pattern on the interior for grip, hybrid leather and rubber constructions, and fabric straps in various colors and patterns. The fabric straps reference the elastic parachute-material bands that French Navy divers historically used with their Tudor Submariners. Tudor's strap change system uses quick-release spring bars on many models, simplifying swaps without tools. Titanium bracelets equip Pelagos models, featuring the same T-Fit adjustment system and a diver's extension for wear over wetsuits.

Expert Opinion

“Tudor started life as Rolex’s more affordable sibling, but over the years it’s quietly grown into a brand that stands on its own. The original idea is still there, solid Swiss watchmaking without the fuss, but now it’s backed up by real technical chops. In-house movements, METAS certification, and a clear focus on reliability show Tudor isn’t cutting corners. And watches like the Black Bay 58 make it obvious they’re paying attention to how people actually wear their watches, not just how they look in a catalog.”

- Paul Altieri, Founder and CEO of Bob’s Watches

Why Choose Bob's Watches for Your Tudor

Buying a pre-owned Tudor just makes sense for a lot of people. You skip the initial hit that comes with buying new, open the door to references that aren’t sitting in display cases anymore, and sometimes end up with a watch that has a bit of personality already baked in. That light patina, the subtle wear. Those are things a brand-new watch simply doesn’t have yet. At Bob’s Watches, we’ve built our reputation around being straightforward about what we sell and how we price it. Every Tudor is inspected by our watchmakers before it’s listed, and the photos you see are of the actual watch you’ll receive. No stock images, no surprises. We back every sale with buyer protection and a customer service team that actually picks up the phone. Whether you’re hunting for a specific Black Bay, a vintage Tudor Submariner, or just the strongest value at a given price point, our inventory covers a wide range without forcing you into one “right” choice.

Sell Your Pre-Owned Tudor Watch

Ready to upgrade and want to sell a Tudor watch? Bob's Watches makes selling your Tudor watches straightforward. We buy all Tudor models in any condition, from modern Black Bay references to vintage Submariners and Prince Date chronographs. Our appraisal process is quick and transparent. Submit details about your watch online, receive a competitive quote based on current market values, and ship your watch to us using our insured label. Payment arrives promptly after verification.

Tudor watches hold their value well in the secondary market, making them excellent candidates for trade-in toward your next timepiece. We offer both outright purchase and trade credit options, with trade values often exceeding what you'd receive from other dealers. Our expertise in Tudor means accurate valuations that reflect true collector demand. If you have pre-owned Tudor watches gathering dust, let Bob's Watches connect them with their next enthusiast while putting cash or credit toward something you'll actually wear.