Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Tudor Royal Collection
An affordable alternative to the Rolex Day-Date and Datejust with a 1970s sports vibe.
Tudor may be well known for its range of robust diver’s watches – the Black Bay, Pelagos and vintage Submariner models, to name just a few examples – but Rolex’s sister brand is recalling the style of its Prince Date-Day models with the launch of the new Tudor Royal collection. Available in four size variants, several dial colours to choose from, and a steel or bi-colour case material, the Royal name has been used by Tudor once before, but now takes on a sportier, bolder personality for 2020.
Tudor’s Born to Dare Mission
Gesturing towards some design elements shared by its sibling brand, the Tudor Royal Collection has a crenellated bezel similar to the fluted bezel of the famous Rolex Oyster case, as well as an integrated five-link bracelet. Sitting somewhere between a classic and sporty watch, Tudor has made the Royal watch available globally having been exclusive to parts of the Asian market earlier this year. Unapologetically, Tudor borrows from Rolex in the same way that it has done in the past, this time with an attractive value proposition.
Underscored by its tagline “Born To Dare”, one major aspect of Tudor’s business model is to create wristwatches at an affordable price. The brand has achieved this in the past by lending case shapes, dial designs and names from Rolex’s higher-end catalogue and equipping them with more affordable third-party movements. By doing so, many Tudor watches are naturally vintage-inspired since they follow in the footsteps of Rolex. This method applies to the Tudor Royal – an affordable sporty-chic watch powered by a Sellita movement and crafted from a block of 316L stainless steel (as opposed to Rolex’s “Oystersteel” 904L stainless steel).
Tudor Royal variations
The characteristic notched bezel of the Tudor Royal comes in four different sizes; 28mm, 34mm, 38mm and 41mm. The steel versions are fixed upon a matching 316L stainless steel case executed in polished and satin finishes. The two-tone versions are accompanied by a matching 18k yellow gold screw-down winding crown engraved with the Tudor logo in relief (as is the steel version) and a steel and 18k yellow gold bi-colour five-link integrated bracelet. The alternating smooth polished surfaces and cut grooves of the Tudor Royal’s bezel mirror similar finishes applied to its integrated bracelet design. Three wide satin-brushed links are set between two thinner polished parts along the entire bracelet, securing with a folding clasp and safety catch.
In addition to the two case variants, a choice between sunray black, silver, champagne and blue dial colours is also offered, along with diamond-set versions and all-Roman numeral hour tracks. The larger 41mm iterations echo the look of the Rolex Day-Date first launched in 1956 – the concept behind the two apertures positioned at distance from one another (the day at 12 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock) was to enable the wearer to reference the date without needing to reveal the entire watch face from under the sleeve of a shirt.
An automatic Sellita movement is behind the many Tudor Royal variants. In order to retain a fair price, and because these models are less oriented to true watch collectors, Tudor didn’t go for the manufacture movement. The largest 41mm model is powered by T603, which is in fact a Sellita SW240-1, while the Sellita SW200-1 (named T-601 by Tudor) propels the hands of the 34mm and 38mm models. The smallest 28mm model is powered by the ETA 2671 (named T-201 by Tudor). All three offer a 38-hour power reserve and perform at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. In the same way, all three movements are secured inside a 100m water-resistant case with a sealed caseback and a screw-down crown for ensuring a watertight environment.
With the lady’s 28mm and 34mm models available in a mother-of-pearl dial option set with diamond dot indices, the difference between the female and male variations of the Tudor Royal are distinct in design whilst matched in their functionality. Although the key highlights of the Royal watch are its fluted bezel, Day-Date-inspired dial, and integrated bracelet – what cannot be ignored is its appealing price tag given its Swiss-made movement regulated to chronometric standards.
The prices for the Tudor Royal Collection will be (depending on materials and dial options):
- between EUR 2,170 and EUR 3,750 for the 41mm model
- between EUR 2,120 and EUR 3,700 for the 38mm model
- between EUR 2,070 and EUR 3,650 for the 34mm model
- between EUR 2,020 and EUR 3,600 for the 28mm model
More details about the Tudor Royal collection and its models here, at www.tudorwatch.com.
7 responses
looks like a VC 222
This watch looks like a pretty obvious copy of the Rolex Datejust and Day-Date. It does not event try to be an ‘homage’ model, it simply copy-pastes Rolex design cues.
I am aware that Tudor was established by Mr. Wilsdorf to offer Rolex-like quality at a lower price point. However, during the past years Tudor made great efforts in developing its own brand identity, mainly based on models like the Black Bay, Pelagos, Heritage Chrono and North Flag.
I think that this release actually weakens Tudor’s brand identity. I also feel that nowadays fewer and fewer people would be satisfied with a watch that is an obvious copy of a more expensive and very well known model. I wonder how this model will fare from a commercial standpoint
Agree with the above. Especially by not using the manufacture movement. Rolex new 41 Datejust is a fraction more in relative terms and with several dial options, therefore an obvious choice.
The blue dial with the day function looks great. That bezel makes it look really tacky, just as bad as the Rolex’s that it resembles.
…and not even using their in-house movement…
It is well past time to stop using Roman numerals. (No pun intended) Including watches, clocks, Super Bowls, and Star War movies, etc…..
I think the watch looks great! Although I agree that the Tudor Royal copies the Rolex Datejust with Roman numeral indices, this, however, is made by Rolex, thus, has Rolex DNA or quality in it. Some people like me are not willing to spend a ton of money for a Rolex watch but are willing to spend on an entry level luxury watches such as the Tudor. The ETA or Sellita movement inside the watch has made it more affordable and accessible to general public, so some people like me would actually not mind it. I am aware that if in-house movement is put inside the Tudor cases, that would make the watch more expensive. All in all, I think the Tudor Royal is a fine and elegant dress watch.