When it comes to luxury watch brand comparisons, Rolex and Tudor are often the topics of debate. This comes as no surprise since these two are inevitably intertwined. They’re both Swiss watchmakers, they both create a variety of watch styles and models, and they are both known for their craftsmanship.
Oh, and they also share the same founder, of course. Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf opened Tudor in 1926 as a more affordable alternative to the renowned luxury brand. However, Tudor would eventually branch out and make a name for itself. In recent years, Tudor has inched ever closer to its sister company.
However, this doesn’t answer our question. If you’re choosing between buying a Rolex or buying a Tudor, which one should you go for? Which comes out on top in the Rolex vs Tudor debate? As always, BQ Watches is here to answer your questions and help you find the best watch for you. Let’s take a look at each of these iconic brands.
History and Reputation
Rolex was founded in 1905 and has become the top luxury brand in the world. Not only in name recognition but in watches sold. They produce roughly one million watches per year. The prestigious company is known for their incredibly precise and well-crafted timepieces. They’re also known for their innovations to the watch world as a whole. Rolex created the first water-resistant wristwatch, the first perpetual self-winding mechanism, and the first watch to display the day and date on the dial.
Tudor isn’t as well-known as Rolex, but it certainly has a storied history to back up the quality of their watchmaking. Tudor was founded by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf in 1926. Their watches would mirror Rolex in many ways, including their water-resistant cases and the bracelets they used. Tudor would gradually set itself apart from Rolex, especially after it launched its first in-house movement in 2015. The Heritage collection really marks Tudor stepping out of the long shadow of Rolex, with the Heritage Ranger being one of the most sought after from the collection.
Style and Craftsmanship
Both Rolex and Tudor have crafted their watches with the utmost care and precision, backed by decades of refined craftsmanship. They also offer a range of models, featuring a variety of designs to fit every style and setting. If you’re wanting a dress watch, a diving watch, something vintage, or something modern – both brands have you covered.
No matter which model you choose, you can expect that your Rolex or your Tudor watch will be a timepiece of exceptional quality that will last for generations to come.
Movements and Complications
When it comes to movements and complications, Rolex has the edge. Their innovations to the watch industry can’t be understated and their in-house movements are world-renowned for their incredible precision and quality. For a very long time, Tudor would use generic movements and build their watches with components manufactured from the Rolex factory. Since Tudor didn’t introduce their own in-house movement until 2015, Tudors made before then won’t have movements that set them head and shoulders above other watchmakers. That’s not to say those movements are imprecise, but they don’t quite measure up to the Rolex precedent.
It’s also important to keep in mind that absolute precision won’t matter for most watch buyers. The variation is often fractional seconds, and many Tudors are able to keep time just as well as Rolex. As far as complications go, Rolex has a wider pool of models to choose from, so you’ll have more diverse options there. Still, Tudor has picked up steam in recent years and they have more complication options than ever.
Still, in both of these areas, most Rolex watches will have the edge.
Variety and Quality of the Catalogue
When it comes to pure variety, Rolex is hard to beat for any luxury watch manufacturer. Rolex is one of the longest-running watch brands out there and they have the catalouge to prove it. The Rolex lineup includes classic and modern models like the Air King, Datejust, Day-Date, GMT-Master, Milgauss, Oyster Perpetual, Sea-Dweller, Submariner, Yacht-Master, and more. Rolex has a watch for every wrist and every occasion.
With that being said, Tudor is no slouch. Their collections include the Fastrider, Glamour, Heritage, Grantour, Montecarlo, Monarch, Pelagos, Tiger Prince, and the ever-popular Black Bay. Both watchmakers have an impressively diverse selection for you to choose from.
Materials, Precious Metals and Gems
As expected when it comes to luxury watches, both have a wide variety of materials, precious metals, and gems to select from. You can find models with stainless steel, rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, ceramic, and much more.
Again, by virtue of longevity, Rolex likely has more variety in this area. But for the most part, you should be able to find the materials you want from either brand. As the higher-end option, Rolex will also likely have more rare gems in certain models.
Pricing and Value
When it comes to pricing and value, the difference is a little more clear-cut. Tudor was quite literally founded with the intention of being more affordable. In the vast majority of cases, Tudor is going to be priced lower than Rolex models. However, that doesn’t mean some Tudors won’t be more expensive than some Rolexes. Rolex has several entry-level luxury options and some vintage models can be more affordable. Tudor also has various higher-end options. It all depends on what model you’re wanting.
With that being said, if you’re leaning toward a Rolex, you can likely expect to pay a decent bit more.
No matter what watch you’re in the market for, BQ Watches can help you find one you’ll love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tudor a better watch brand than Rolex? While the answer might technically be subjective, most watch enthusiasts would tell you that Rolex is the better brand. It’s one of the most iconic and innovative companies in the history of watchmaking. They have so many iconic models that Tudor has a lot of catching up to do. Still, Tudor is making strides and should be recognized for the quality they offer at the affordable price point they set.
Tudor have gradually distanced themselves from their intertwined relationship with Rolex, adding their own in-house movements and creating incredibly high-quality timepieces. They’ve been bridging the gap between the two companies in recent years, making Tudor a suitable and affordable alternative to Rolex. Tudor offers great value for the high level of quality they offer.
Technically Tudor was made by Rolex, but they’re not anymore. In 1926, Tudor was founded as an arm of Rolex that could market their products to indicate that connection. In 1946, Tudor was cut loose as a joint-stock business that could operate independently, with Rolex owning all the shares. While Tudor can still use the signature Rolex Oyster case, Tudor makes all of their own watches now. Undoubtedly, there will always be a slight association between the two, but they should be viewed as two separate brands.
