Tudor vs Rolex

The Swiss brands Tudor and Rolex are inextricably linked, as they are sister companies. Tudor was launched in 1926 by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf and was intended to be a more affordable alternative to Rolex. The Oyster cases of Tudor watches were equipped with ETA calibers instead of in-house movements, allowing the watches to be offered at significantly lower prices. As a "poor man's Rolex," Tudor watches were long overshadowed by Rolex luxury watches, but this has changed dramatically. Today, Tudor enjoys great popularity around the world and, with innovative models and a fresh brand image, has blossomed into a highly respected watch brand.

What are the main differences between Tudor and Rolex?

Let's first look at the differences between the Rolex and Tudor brands. Tudor entered the market significantly—more than 20 years, to be precise—later than Rolex. While Rolex had long enjoyed a reputation as a luxury brand, the introduction of Tudor was an attempt to appeal to a broader clientele and offer more affordable watches for everyone. Rolex watches had long been associated with status, prestige, and exclusivity—an image that the company certainly promoted. These attributes played no major role at Tudor. Rather, the watches were aimed specifically at the hard-working middle class, who viewed watches not as an investment or status symbol, but as a functional, reliable commodity. With brand ambassadors such as Lady Gaga and David Beckham, Tudor continues to appeal to a younger—though not necessarily less affluent—audience than its "big sister," Rolex.

The watch brands also differ in terms of design. Rolex models are timeless classics that have undergone only subtle changes over the decades, transforming into somewhat more contemporary versions of the time-honored icons. Tudor is more daring in this regard: The brand's range includes completely new interpretations with bolder design elements, skillfully blended with vintage components as a tribute to the past. Bracelets with rivets, an aluminum bezel, or even luminous elements with an intentionally "yellowed" appearance give many of the brand's models that much-coveted vintage charm. Incidentally, the Tudor Rose, which is engraved on the models as a logo, originates from the family crest of the Welsh noble Tudor family.

Which brings us to quality. Rolex is known throughout the watch industry for its unparalleled quality, and at first glance, it might seem as if Tudor isn't compromising in this regard. In fact, its sister brand also produces extremely high-quality watches, although in-house calibers are increasingly being used these days. Upon closer inspection, however, some qualitative differences become apparent. For example, the dials on Tudor models are often more simply crafted, and the bracelets and their clasp mechanisms are less sophisticated than those on Rolex watches.

When comparing Tudor vs. Rolex, the price difference is bound to come up sooner or later. As already mentioned, Tudor also caters to watch lovers with a somewhat tighter budget. However, that doesn't mean the watches are truly cheap. After all, they are still quality timepieces, which is why neither brand – Rolex nor Tudor – is necessarily a bargain. Nevertheless, in a direct comparison, Tudor is clearly the more affordable alternative.

Advantages of Rolex

These are the advantages of a watch from the Rolex Manufacture:

Quality, precision and reliability

There is hardly a brand in the watch world that can compete with Rolex in terms of quality. These timepieces delight with incredibly sophisticated movements, exquisite craftsmanship, and fascinating complications rarely seen in the history of watches. The vast wealth of experience and the magnificent watchmaking craftsmanship practiced at Rolex result in watches that shine with absolute reliability and the highest precision. These are all certainly crucial factors that have contributed to the brand's never-ending success, and for which the watch giant is admired worldwide to this day.

Timeless design

The design of Rolex models is always meticulously thought out down to the last detail and strives for sheer perfection. From the bezel to the case to the bracelet, the watches combine striking design elements that exude pure luxury with every fiber. Throughout the company's history, Rolex has repeatedly succeeded in bringing watches to market that have secured a place among the most popular timepieces for decades. Just think of the Submariner, the Rolex GMT Master II, or the legendary Daytona models. The Swiss watch manufacturer reliably manages to combine sportiness with elegance and expresses an unwavering sense of style in its designs. It is therefore hardly surprising that many watch lovers immediately think of Rolex when the topic of timeless icons is mentioned.

High resale value

Anyone who observes the secondary market for luxury watches knows that the value of a coveted Rolex watch is incredibly stable. If you're lucky enough to acquire such a watch at the manufacturer's list price, you can be almost certain that you've made an excellent investment. Many models can be resold for a significantly higher price. So, if you buy a popular version of the Rolex Submariner, a Daytona, or a GMT Master, it's a relatively low-risk investment, and in many cases, you can enjoy attractive resale profits.

Advantages of Tudor

Of course, Tudor watches also have serious advantages, which we will discuss below:

Cheaper

A clear advantage is undoubtedly the price of the timepieces. A simple Tudor watch can be purchased starting at around €2,200, although availability is often better than that of its "big sister." In other words, you have a better chance of being able to purchase a Tudor directly from the manufacturer, eliminating the need to resort to the secondary market. Of course, the Tudor range also includes quite expensive watches, such as the Tudor Black Bay 36 S&G with its diamond-studded dial or the yellow gold Black Bay 58 18K, which costs a whopping €17,000. However, by comparison, the majority of Tudor timepieces are clearly more affordable than a Rolex watch.

Sportier look

In terms of appearance, Tudor models could be described as sporty, youthful alternatives to the classic Rolex models. The product portfolio includes a wide variety of designs, ranging from simple to extravagant, and not afraid to display a few playful elements.

Innovative functions

Anyone who considers Tudor watches to be slimmed-down versions of a "real" Rolex is seriously mistaken. Especially when it comes to functions, Tudor doesn't skimp and boasts a great spirit of innovation. This is demonstrated, among other things, by the COSC-certified in-house caliber developed specifically for Tudor Heritage Black Bay models, which quickly won over even critics.

Tudor and Rolex models in comparison

To complete the "Tudor vs Rolex" comparison, we now turn to specific timepieces from different categories:

diving watches

For many watch enthusiasts, the Rolex Submariner is the epitome of a highly functional diving watch. The Tudor Submariner's counterpart is the Black Bay series, which has definitely helped the brand gain even greater prestige in the watch world. The Submariner and Black Bay bear striking similarities: Both watches have a 70-hour power reserve, are available in 41 mm diameter, and feature a classic, sporty case shape. However, while the Rolex Submariner is water-resistant to 300 m and features a quick-set bracelet, the Tudor Black Bay lacks a quick-set option and is only water-resistant to 200 m. There are also visual differences, particularly in terms of color combinations and hand design.

And what about the price? If you opt for the stainless steel Rolex Submariner without a date display, you'll find a list price above the €8,000 mark. The similarly equipped alternative from Tudor, on the other hand, will "only" set you back €3,000 to €4,000.

GMT watches

In the GMT watch category, we compare the Rolex GMT Master (II) with the Tudor Black Bay GMT – the Black Bay with GMT function. Both watches with two time zones feature a two-tone bezel, a 70-hour power reserve, and luminous indices. What may come as a surprise is that the Tudor Black Bay GMT is water-resistant to 200 m, while the Rolex GMT Master II is only water-resistant to 100 m. However, the bezel of the GMT Master II is made of an innovative ceramic material, while the Black Bay GMT sticks with conventional aluminum. The two watches, while extremely similar in design, are available in different color schemes. The Rolex GMT Master II's Pepsi model, with its blue and red bezel, is particularly popular.

There's a huge difference in price: If you want to own a Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi today, you'll have to shell out €20,000 or more on the secondary market. Tudor's Black Bay GMT, on the other hand, is available for a mere €4,000, offering excellent value for money.

Chronographs

Exclusive, rare, and outrageously expensive: Rolex Daytona chronographs are among the most sought-after watch models. A Daytona boasts a 72-hour power reserve, is water-resistant to 100 m, and, above all, has a name that will amaze any collector. In contrast, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono features a 70-hour power reserve and is water-resistant to 200 m. Both of these elegant chronographs stand out with their contrasting embedded subdials and are available in a wide range of color combinations. One important difference: The watches from the Chrono collection have a date display, while the Daytona timepieces have an hour counter.

The watches differ in price by several thousand euros. A Rolex Daytona is available almost exclusively on the secondary market, where it can easily cost upwards of €30,000. Considering this price level, the Chrono, with a list price of €5,000, seems almost extremely affordable.

Conclusion - a question of personal taste and budget

In conclusion, both Rolex and Tudor offer impeccable timepieces with top-notch movements and attractive designs. Even if Tudor doesn't quite match Rolex in terms of quality, the decision between the two brands ultimately comes down to personal taste – and, of course, budget! Especially for watch lovers who don't have unlimited financial resources, Tudor offers compelling alternatives to Rolex luxury watches.