Classical Elegance – Why The Tudor Style 41mm With Fluted Bezel Should Be Considered?

In the world of watches, there’s a certain way of categorizing, and this usually refers to two main types of timepieces: sports watches and dress watches. Well, it is kind of short-sighted to split this way. There’s another category that sits right in the middle, which is often forgotten by watch journalists (us included), however watches that represent an impressive part of the sales: the all-rounder watch, the casual pieces which can be worn in every situation. And in that category, Tudor introduced a watch this year that will perfectly do the job, and even more than that: the Tudor Style 41mm With Fluted Bezel.

With this review of the Tudor Style 41mm, I might have to plead guilty. I’m a watch journalist who also happen to be a watch collector and that mostly tend to write for watch lovers. This means that I usually focus on talking pieces and watches that create on me, and I guess on you, readers, emotions. Still, once again, this is kind of simplistic. With this in mind, we tend to forget that watches, including luxury watches, are mainly sold to people who are not hardcore collectors but just “customers” who want to offer themselves a “nice watch“. It means that if they look at the Tudor or Rolex collection, they won’t go for the Black Bay Bronze or the Sea-Dweller 4000. These are just way too nerdy pieces. Instead, what they are looking for is a nice, elegant, timeless, usually rather discreet watch that can do the job on a daily basis. And for that, there’s a Baselworld 2016 watch by Tudor that stayed a bit in the shadows, yet a watch that gives a lot for the money, the Tudor Style, which now comes in a 41mm diameter and with a classy fluted bezel. 

The Tudor Style 41mm is part of this category of watches that I call the all-rounder, watches made for every occasion, suitable for a business meeting or for a barbecue party. The most known example might be the Rolex DateJust, a watch that is for sure an icon but that never really was the talking piece of Rolex conversations. Still, it is one of the brand’s best-sellers, simply because that’s the watch normal people (meaning non-collectors) are buying. Main problem with this watch, which was just renewed this year, is that it doesn’t come for less than 7,000 Euros. That’s where the Tudor Style 41mm takes a lot of sense. Of course, it is not this iconic vintage diver of that bold looking chronograph, which most of you might know from Tudor. Still, it shares many features with the rest of the collection: perfect proportions, elegant style, impressive quality, some unique design elements and a price that simply is… the right one (and in the current market, this is kind of rare).

The Tudor Style, in this 41mm diameter, is a modern sized watch, which benefits from a wide dial opening and a rather thin bezel, especially compared to the big sister’s option. While some will always say that 41mm is too large for such a watch, here the case has been designed in a way that you actually forget about this number and enjoy a balanced, well proportioned watch. If you look at that photos, you can’t say that this Tudor Style feels massive. The short and thin lugs, the curved end-links and the tapered bracelet make the Tudor Style 41mm perfectly suitable with a business suit and comfortable on the wrist. The case is beautifully executed, with polished (flat parts) and brushed (casebands) surfaces, just like the 5-link bracelet and its folding clasp.

The main novelty for the 2016 version is the apparition of a fluted bezel, something that was already present on some vintage Oyster Prince pieces by Tudor. The good point here is that this usually rather visible feature has been tuned down with a slim bezel, which makes this watch more discreet and elegant than certain options one the market. The fluted bezel is a nice addition for sure, but it has to be used sparingly, otherwise you end up with a showy watch. Not here. Instead, it even enlivens a watch that otherwise could be a bit plain. And it adds a nice luxurious touch.

To power the Tudor Style 41mm is a robust and efficient ETA 2824, with automatic winding and date at 3. And actually, this is all you need in such a watch. Precision, reliability for the coming decades, ease of service… Don’t look for more. In terms of dial, Tudor kept things simple and discreet, with applied indexes and polished hands, as well as the “smily logo” at 6. Several options are available, including black, silver and this lively blue. A two-tone version can also be found in the collection.

What to conclude about such a watch? Well, the Tudor Style 41mm is certainly not as emotional as the Black Bay but in the end, it is simply not its objective. The Style is a nice, elegant and classical watch for “normal people“. And if you keep this in mind, it has all the arguments: a nicely executed case, perfectly proportioned and elegant on the wrist, a robust automatic movement, a stylish look with this fluted bezel, a capacity to be worn on a daily basis, the ability to never be out of place and finally, a price that is just the right one (2,370 Euros for this steel on steel version, 2,270 Euros for the steel on leather option). And if you’re looking for a “nice watch‘, you might have to consider this Tudor piece. tudorwatch.com.

Specifications of the Tudor Style 41mm

• Case: 41mm diameter – stainless steel, polished and brushed surfaces – Sapphire crystal on top, plain steel caseback – screw-down crown – 100m water resistant
• Movement: Tudor 2824 – automatic – 38h power reserve – 4Hz frequency – hours, minutes and seconds on the central axis, date at 3
• Bracelet: steel 5-link bracelet, folding clasp with safety catch
• Also available in 41, 38, 34 or 28mm – Black, silver, champagne, blue or burgundy dial – Fluted bezel in steel or 18 ct yellow gold