An Ode to Tudor: Bargains, Milestones and Semi-Bad Decisions
- Alvin
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Welcome watchfans! Let’s begin in a half-assed way, with a caveat. Tudor in this case, could be any brand that has somehow intersected your watch journey in various interesting, fortuitous or memorable ways. Tudor has been there for me in various capacities. The Shield and the Rose. There are those who don’t put much respect on the Tudor brand, sometimes due to the dominance of its sibling, Rolex. Bow down and kiss the the crown. To those people, I think Rolex might say, "keep my little sisters name out of your damn mouth". If you have concerns about the Shield, just try and put those aside for this article.
We are talking emotions here, deep, strained and burning emotions. Not technical specifications or in-house/out-house movements. I’ll be discussing the way that Tudor has been part of my watch journey up to now. They are moments that many watch fans will understand and relate to. So, let’s get irrational - in chronological order, naturally...
Tudor as a first luxury watch/bargain
Once upon a time in 2018, a man bought a watch from eBay. He had just discovered that it was possible to make money by doing work that was enjoyable and interesting. It was a revelation. That was me by the way. Unfortunately, that time has passed and all the money is gone. It was an enlightenment, if you will. And, though I made money, I spent it well too. It was the beginning of the enlightening of my wallet. Ba bum, I'm here all week.
On a cold, somber day in November, as I stumbled uncermoniously from watch to watch on eBay, I chanced upon a special one, feelings were felt. A Tudor with a terrible name. The Glamour day-date. Shocking. It was, however, damaged - clearly shown by the seller. In its life it had been marked with love, but later on that love was rubbed out. Literally. The caseback had an engraving (I guess) that had been indented to remove it, I'm guessing with prejudice. It's possible the first owner that did that, a love gone sour maybe, but now it was for sale again. It was ready to be loved again. Especially due to the ‘day’ text, it was in French, and I am a Frenchman at heart, du pain, du vain et du Tudor en Francais. All I needed was to justify the price vs the condition - a largely mystery blemish.
Up until this time I had only bought Seiko’s and this was a step up, while I knew the brand, I was quite uninformed about the history and specifics of the Tudor story. I did a little research, just checking the price against the RRP and thinking ‘bargain’. It was up for £950 I think, box, no papers. I did what I do best. Make a cheeky offer. I offered eight hundred of those English sterling pounds. And the offer was…accepted.
When it arrived, the first thing I did was re-christen the watch as the Tudor Parisian. I then took it to my AD (I didn’t actually buy anything from them, very different to my now AD) and ask for a authenticity check. They did a check, charged me an amount I can remember as expensive. The total price was under £899. This watch is my first luxury watch, and it was I think you’ll agree, a bargain.Â
Interestingly, it was a luxury purchase untouched by the influence of the industry, the watchbros, the hodunkees, or the interwebs. It was a love pure and true. I have 3 watches like that. Ones, I bought because I loved the look and the particulars. This one, the Tissot Squelette T070.405.16.411.00 and the Longines Conquest GMT.
After those, I knew too much and there was no turning back. The return on emotional investment for the Tudor was compounding. I'm touch more French these days, so it still works well.
A few months ago I realised I was hardly wearing this French laced beauty, and so I made a change to the strap situation. Sticking a black nato on it made it casually moody and much more wearable. It has since seen a considerable uptick it wrist time and the joy has returned, as it has to my wrist - the Tudor Parisian, a bargain and icebreaker in my ongoing conversation with Tudor.
Tudor as a first AD purchase
Many years later, in 2023, after buying 40+ watches both new and pre-owned, having half-arsed a watch blog and Youtube channel - that same man walks into an AD, ouch. Literally. The reason? He went was to see a Tudor, the red bezel black bay (M7941A1A0RU-0003). He just went because it was a new release and he was in the process of trying to find the previous model - how annoyed would he have been if he’d found only for the new model to be released shortly afterwards. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
On the way back from Wales - I love Wales, beautiful country - I stopped in at the AD. When I got there I was treated well by the Lady at the AD. The watch, though, it was a stunner, but it was on the oyster bracelet not the 5 link/jubilee that he wanted. And so, the lady signed me up - a devlish .pact was made there and then. My interest had well and truly registered. I went onwards, on my merry way... awaiting the call.  Â
In fact, it was an impatient me who made the call - asking if they still had it. They did and so I popped in to pick it up. The watch was followed by the purchase of an official Tudor 5 link bracelet bought via the AD. It was expensive. Very effin expesive. But I had the watch and with two bracelets and I felt special and my wrist felt awesome. For the record, the 5 link has never come off. Though I think it might soon.
I have in total bought three watches from the AD, two Tudor and one Rolex. Mr Wilsdorf would be so please with me. I think Tudor, positioned as they are with watches from around £2000 upwards new, and second only to Longines, in the best value entry level luxury watch brand. They are a bit more expensive, but they are more prestigious.
Tudor being overlooked as a milestone purchase
For Gods sake, can’t you mention Tudor without sister company Rolex getting involved. I feel like Rolex is the hot older sister of the pretty but attainable young lady who works in the same office as you. Rolex also works in the same office, but she's an executive - beautiful, poised, and confident - an unattainable fantasy. Until she isn't.
Anyway, it was August 2024 and the man was visiting the AD to try on a JLC Reverso. He got a classic wooing from a man at the AD, as he's neglected to make an appointment and the lady of the AD was busy. But the man was a proper watch fan so it was all good.
Until it went bad, and the man at the AD offered me a Rolex Explorer II, and so I went for a thinking-walk. Then I returned to the AD and bought it. Later, I realised that as I had just finished my post graduate degree (though wouldn’t get my grade for a few months). I could align the two to justify the purchase if at any time the record watch purchase (at that time) became an issue. At this point it wasn’t, but it made sense to reward myself.
Awesome. It was serendipitous, though didn’t need to justify it to anyone else. The watch would forever be linked to the four years of hard work to get that qualification. I didn’t go to university when I was younger for various reasons, and I always felt that I had something to prove in that regard. So, I went for it and it turns out I was more than able. While the qualification cos me a lot to do, and then I also bought the watch. That total cost has yet to be recouped in the form of a significant boost to my potential earnings. So, it wasn’t worth it. Never mind.
Tudor as an impulse buy/AD appeasement
Less than a year later and the man found himself at the AD once more. The year was 2025, the month April. His visit was laced with the intention to see the newly released Tudor cherry bomb. Alas, they didn’t have that one in stock, but another Tudor would catch his eye and his wrist. The also newly released Black Bay Pro Opaline dial. I was taken with it, that’s for sure. It was a surprise as I hadn’t thought it special, having seen it a lot with the fuss about the thickness. I certainly wasn’t expecting to buy anything but here’s a heads up, if you’re in the AD, anything can happen. A mix of excitement, expectation and encouragement kicks in, and you can find yourself a few grand lighter.
Not that I didn’t like the thing. It’s a great watch with some lovely detail, but I already have the best Tudor watches for me. You might not be surprised to find that as with the Rolex Explorer II, it’s no longer part of my collection. The reason is the same. I didn’t really want it.
The watches I keep are the ones that I’ve really wanted, the ones I’ve researched and ogled for hours at a time. Finding the deal is part of the fun. Not that these GMTs weren’t lovely, and I got a deal/discount on BB Pro. They just weren’t for me. I think part of the reason I bought both of them was to make content with, they were excellent for that, but again, not the right reason.
Tudor as a maker of memories.
I suppose all the examples here are memories, but some matter more than others. Bringing us right up to date. I often see sentimental pieces about watches as holders of memories, or markers or emotional milestones, and think how evocative these story things are. On the flipside, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has used a milestone as an excuse to buy a watch, nothing wrong with that. It doesn’t detract from the reality of the juxtaposition, watches make memories and they make great memento’s.
They are at the pinnacle of what a material object can mean to a human. As much as I dislike the way our brains have been hijacked by capitalist systems, once in a while they come in handy. In this case, helping reconnect with close family who you haven’t been close with. An effort you should have made long ago, but didn’t. A real regret. No point in being a dweller (Desk-Dweller rather Sky-Dweller or Land-Dweller). Do something about it. Or maybe let a Tudor Black Bay 54 to the heavy lifting.
In this case, it’s not one of my watches that opens the door to a moment.
In July of 2026, just a few weekends ago, I attended a family party and my cousins who I don’t see too often were there. I immediately spotted a BB54 on the wrist and it didn’t take me long to mention it. We proceeded, the three of us, to spend an hour or two chatting away and pretty much ignoring everyone else. Being the elder statesmen, I had many stories, watches and suggestions to share. They are just embarking on this terribly excellent journey but had plenty of knowledge and insight. They have a few watches but are not yet collectors, yet is key. It was a very cool moment.
As I heard someone say, when asked, what happiness is? It’s moments. We ignored the partygoers and shared our favourites - Omega being their top dog, interestingly not my fave, bar a few staple pieces. One cousin being quite a picky and particular watchfan and the other being a bit more on my level of being a general horolophile. Now, I don’t know if this is enough to mend things, or if it will lead to further connection - I did offer to introduce to my AD, which offer Patek et al - an easy emotional lever to pull. One must use the tools at ones disposal. It was a moment, one that will hopefully lead to more. I am aware that that will take effort on my part and theirs. And maybe buying a new watch or two to share with them...
Is there another Tudor that might joingthe party? I hear you ask. Maybe the Tudor Monarch, it's an absolute belter.
Suffice to say, I always liked Tudor, now I like them a bit more.
Your Shieldingly,
Alvin
LINKS & THINGS
TUDOR