Tudor is a Swiss watch brand that was founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex. The brand was created as a more affordable alternative to Rolex watches, with a focus on functionality and reliability.
The Tudor brand initially produced watches that were designed for use by professionals, such as divers and military personnel. The watches were known for their robust construction and accuracy, and quickly gained a reputation for being reliable and durable timepieces.
In the 1950s, Tudor introduced its first dive watch, the Oyster Prince Submariner, which was designed to compete with the Rolex Submariner. The watch was popular among military divers and quickly became a favorite of the British Navy.
In the 1960s, Tudor expanded its product line to include chronograph watches and introduced its first self-winding movement, the Calibre 390. The brand also became known for its innovative use of materials, such as the use of a plastic crystal on its watches.
In the 1980s, the Tudor brand began to struggle due to the rise of quartz watches and a decline in demand for mechanical watches. As a result, the brand was temporarily discontinued in 1996.
However, in 2009, Tudor was relaunched by Rolex as a separate brand with a new focus on design and aesthetics. The brand began to produce watches with a more modern and contemporary design, while still maintaining the reliability and functionality that Tudor had become known for.
Today, Tudor watches are still produced with the same attention to quality and durability that has made the brand a favorite of professionals and collectors alike. The brand’s product line includes a range of dive watches, chronograph watches, and more classic designs, all of which are designed to appeal to a wide range of customers.