Tudor: The poor man's Rolex?

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A good way of gauging what people think of the Rolex/Tudor relationship and whether or not they place value in it, is that almost all threads on Tudor on this forum is posted in the Rolex Subforum and not in the "Other Watch Brands" Subforum. Post about a Longines in the Omega forum and people will ask you to have it moved to the correct subforum 🙄


If Tudor were another brand under LVMH instead of Rolex’s cheaper sibling would anyone buy them at the price they currently charge?

Hell no.

You simply cannot remove the Rolex connection from the Tudor appreciation. And while it once used to be about sharing some of the technology it is now firmly placed in the psychological realm of the buyer... Even upstart Kickstarter brands can produce cheap, reliable watches with 300m WR, ceramic, unidirectional bezels and great bracelets, but no-one else can claim they are related to Rolex.

Don't fool yourself, people.
 
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If Tudor were another brand under LVMH instead of Rolex’s cheaper sibling would anyone buy them at the price they currently charge?
Can't speak for now but I bought my Tudor BBB (79220N) at retail in 2015 because it was love at 1st sight and exactly what I was looking for. The fact that Tudor was part of the Rolex family didn't enter my mind and had Tudor been under different ownership it wouldn't have altered my decision. On the other hand I wouldn't buy a contemporary Rolex Sub because they are too blingy for my taste. The ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX on the rehaut being one example.
 
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I bought my Tudors cos of the pretty colour , I like pretty colours .
Come to the dark side…

CB case, in-house movement, Singer dial, 666 water resistance….and lots of pretty colors.
 
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I’ve never been a fan of modern Tudor in general just because there seems to be so much mediocrity in the lineup that it drowns out the handful of standouts. The other issue is the price point is competed for by so many other brands that just make better watches.

For example if I’m in the market for a used Pelagos which is one of the few Tudor models I would buy, I have to decide to take that over a whole pile of used JLCs, Omegas and even GO’s in that same price range, and the Tudor just doesn’t stand out in that company at all.

Some of the vintage models are cool but I just can’t see value in the new ones.

If Tudor were another brand under LVMH instead of Rolex’s cheaper sibling would anyone buy them at the price they currently charge?
The answer would be a resounding no and they would be pilloried as being a homage brand.
 
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I have tried to buy modern Tudors, I have enjoyed - like the GMT, but eventually flipped, I might do the same for a modern Rolex GMT but due to scarcity and that I would probably flip anyway, I feel no need to to fellate a local AD in order to source one. So I just stick to vintage. If I had to chose a new "Sub" dive watch to fish with I'd probably get a Rolex GMT instead of a new Sub - I don't care for them and the current Seamasters don't move the needle either. If I put on a wet suit to fish I am probably using my Marathon TSAR anyway.

Modern just does not much move me, Omega nor Rolex nor Tudor.

Ohh, and some might be surprised at the great, well known collectors of some brands and their Tudor collections ; )

Muuuaaahhhhaahhhaaa
Edited:
 
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One could argue that most commercial watch brands are “a poor man’s Rolex.” That’s what Rolex want you to think, anyway.
 
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For me it’s vintage, and I’ve always valued Tudors in their own right, as they had a unique design ethos., I appreciate though that the build quality came from the use of Rolex parts.

The only modern Rolex I currently have is a 214270, which I keep as it’s so versatile, I have in the past owned a Daytona and an Explorer II but let them go as I just couldn’t warm to them. The only modern Tudor was a 79220n which I regret selling, I’ll buy another if I ever find a sensibly priced one. Other gap is for a newer Rolex Sub as I want a wearable sub that I don’t mind bashing, and perhaps a white dialled Datejust.

Overall, I see them as very different brands catering to different markets - like Volkswagen, who own Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and a large chunk of Porsche. They might share some parts, but they are all different car brands.

And a photo, well, just because 😀
 
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I know wealthy people that wear TIMEX! Or worse! What does being “rich” or “poor” have to do with one’s choice of watches? I’m neither rich nor poor, and I have 6 Rolex watches, and no Tudors. I wear a Rolex maybe one month out of every year. People pay no attention whatever to the watch I happen to be wearing. Today, it’s an Omega.
 
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Sorry, I know there’s more to life than watch investments and that Chrono24 prices are unrealistic to say the least but look at what direction the ‘poor man’s’ Tudor ETA 79220N is going in; it’ll overtake the RRP of a non-date Rolex sub soon!
 
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Yes, Tudor is the poor man’s Rolex. Or is it that Rolex is the rich man’s Tudor? Wait a minute, or is it that Omega is the thinking man’s Rolex? Hmm, maybe it’s Rolex is the non-thinking man’s Omega. Wait, now I have it. Tudor is trying to be Omega which is trying to be Rolex. No, wait ... 🙄
 
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If you need a watch for your ego, get a Rolex if you want a decent bang per buck quality watch get a tudor, whats not to understand?
 
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I just bought a Tudor BB58 yesterday, wasn’t planning to buy the watch but the sales person worked their magic. I hope I can warm up to it, buyer remorse has already kicked in. Where I struggle is not the price or quality or status. It’s the heritage, if that was Omega no problem. The quality of the watch cannot be faulted though.
 
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I just bought a Tudor BB58 yesterday, wasn’t planning to buy the watch but the sales person worked their magic. I hope I can warm up to it, buyer remorse has already kicked in. Where I struggle is not the price or quality or status. It’s the heritage, if that was Omega no problem. The quality of the watch cannot be faulted though.

The Heritage ? The Tudor's heritage is a tool watch, same as Rolex. Fact is, Tudor was more likely to be used as a tool for its intended purpose than a Rolex or Omega, and less for status. These were used on Expeditions, diving tool watches, Milwatches, and Dress pieces. Dive in the deep end - not the shallow side.
 
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The Heritage ? The Tudor's heritage is a tool watch, same as Rolex. Fact is, Tudor was more likely to be used as a tool for its intended purpose than a Rolex or Omega, and less for status. These were used on Expeditions, diving tool watches, Milwatches, and Dress pieces. Dive in the deep end - not the shallow side.
Thank you nice to know.
 
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If you need a watch for your ego, get a Rolex if you want a decent bang per buck quality watch get a tudor, whats not to understand?
A lot of this statement I don't understand like anything between the "if".....and the "?"

Here's a pickle....where does one fall if you have both?
 
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The entire premise of this thread is based on perceived brand reputation. Just buy what you like for the millionth time, not based on someone else’s perception of a brand, be it Rolex, Tudor, Omega or anyone else.


Edit: I buy Omega’s partly based on MY perception of the brand, and no one else’s. They are for me. I’m selfish in that way.
 
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I have been asking around for a poor man to buy me Tudor watch. But alas, no luck so far.
 
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If you need a watch for your ego, get a Rolex if you want a decent bang per buck quality watch get a tudor, whats not to understand?



A lot of this statement I don't understand like anything between the "if".....and the "?"

Here's a pickle....where does one fall if you have both?

Sounds like you can go half Douche or full Douche 😁

::stirthepot::