Mechanical differences of Rolex vs Tudor

[Loevhagen]

tl;dr - Tudor is a poor man's Rolex?

j/k

On a serious note: If you like the outer design..buy it. No sane person buys a Rolex instead of a Tudor for the calibre only.

[inadeje]

I find most Tudor overly clumsily designed. Case depth is way too much for a watch even within that price range. I picked up a Tudor heritage chronograph as a summer watch in 2019 and was glad to see it exit my collection by fall.

[Nads786]

My Tudor was widely off spec 15 seconds a day. My sub is scary perfect nearly 1 second per day deviation maybe even less.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by subtona

Great assessment apart from comparing the complex Daytona movement to the more basic Tudor movement

Both are automatic column wheel vertical clutch chronographs with 70 hrs power reserve. I tried my best

[77T]

Originally Posted by santoshlv426

The question is, why is Tudor (a sister brand of Rolex) so well priced not only to Rolex but to the market in general ?

Less wasted money in sponsorships and marketing.


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by padi56

Exactly many think because it's ETA it's a Inferior movement but ETA makes everything in-house and at one in every Rolex there was a ETA made nivourax hairspring.And in most all ETA movements they make 5 grades the top two are chronometer grades and can be as accurate and long lasting as any Rolex movement.

Both my Tudors purposefully have ETA movements. I prefer them and have no interest in the Tudor in-house movements.

[Ninja Master]

ETA movements are great! Super reliable, easy to find parts, lots of experienced watchmakers who know the movement, and much cheaper to service.

Yet... I've still been brainwashed to prefer in-house movements.

[amphr1]

Tudor still uses 3rd party movements. Sometimes their movement is in collaboration with another company like the movement in their chronograph. Their watch is also generally thicker.

It's kind of like Porsche vs Audi. Same company. But you bet Porsche spare no expense to get that perfection while Audi is happy to get hand-me-down from Porsche and maybe save some design time on unimportant components.

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[Daveh777]

The primary difference is in the finishing. The latest Tudor movements are awesome.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Ninja Master

ETA movements are great! Super reliable, easy to find parts, lots of experienced watchmakers who know the movement, and much cheaper to service.

Yet... I've still been brainwashed to prefer in-house movements.

Well all ETA movements are 100% in-house made,not even Rolex movements are 100% in-house made.Its doubtful if Rolex themselves make there own movement/bracelet screws,lume paint, plus a few things are still out sourced by Rolex, like mainsprings they are made by Schwab-Feller AG, all movement bearing and cap jewels, watch crystals, spring-bars, and a firm called Aiguilles makes all the watch hands for all models.

[Henrimontgomery]

Rolex GMT actually work, and don’t need endless fiddling to repair the date wheel.

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by Nads786

My Tudor was widely off spec 15 seconds a day. My sub is scary perfect nearly 1 second per day deviation maybe even less.

I’ll take an ETA movement over a dodgy 32xx Rolex movement any day.

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by padi56

Exactly many think because it's ETA it's a Inferior movement but ETA makes everything in-house and at one in every Rolex there was a ETA made nivourax hairspring.And in most all ETA movements they make 5 grades the top two are chronometer grades and can be as accurate and long lasting as any Rolex movement.

Is it safe to assume Tudor uses the top ETA grades?

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I find most Tudor overly clumsily designed. Case depth is way too much for a watch even within that price range. I picked up a Tudor heritage chronograph as a summer watch in 2019 and was glad to see it exit my collection by fall.

Yes, I was admiring a friend’s Tudor Harrod’s the other day and noticed how how thick it seemed, the sides were like looking down a cliff

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by East of Eden

Is it safe to assume Tudor uses the top ETA grades?

I agree re ETA vs 32xx. My Omega 1120 is a well decorated and slightly upgraded ETA 2892-A2 that still keeps under a second per day 12 years post service. 21 years old.

[Golfbone]

Toyota and Lexus. Except there the difference in price is a fraction rather than a factor of the cost.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by East of Eden

Is it safe to assume Tudor uses the top ETA grades?

Yes they have always used a chronometer grade movement,even in there chronographs.Today there are many fine movements many decades old and changed little over the years.ETA 2892-A2, ETA 2824/2T chronometer grade, ETA Valjoux 7750,Unitas 6497/8,Omega 2500, JLC 889/2 , JLC 960, Longines 990 (Lemania 8815), PP 215, PP 240,Now the Grand Seiko 430 is one of best movements ever made IMHO.Others like the Zenith 400,Zenith 670, GP 3100 all excellent movements, plus there are many more.Would not call any modern movement made today best,whats best in one persons eyes is better in another's.But most movements today from Alpha to every day Seiko, Miyota and all the high end brands all have there place in todays horological world.

[watchwatcher]

By no means do I have the technical expertise to tackle that question. Not to mention, several of our esteemed members who do have have already done an admirable job.

However, I will offer a layman's observation, after owning several of each. The Tudors in my collection keep time just as well as the Rolexes, and some even have better power reserve. (Kind of comparing apples to oranges, but you get the point) Of all the watches I've had to send off for mechanical problems, I've had to send more Rolex than Tudor.

So that covers mechanical differences (for the enthusiast who's just looking for solid, dependable timekeeping, anyway). When you start talking price, well, that's a different ball game altogether- with a lot of variables that have nothing to do with mechanics.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

By no means do I have the technical expertise to tackle that question. Not to mention, several of our esteemed members who do have have already done an admirable job.

However, I will offer a layman's observation, after owning several of each. The Tudors in my collection keep time just as well as the Rolexes, and some even have better power reserve. (Kind of comparing apples to oranges, but you get the point) Of all the watches I've had to send off for mechanical problems, I've had to send more Rolex than Tudor.

So that covers mechanical differences (for the enthusiast who's just looking for solid, dependable timekeeping, anyway). When you start talking price, well, that's a different ball game altogether- with a lot of variables that have nothing to do with mechanics.

Very relatable Larry, thank you

[RTG]

Originally Posted by subtona

Great assessment apart from comparing the complex Daytona movement to the more basic Tudor movement

I believe that specific Tudor movement (MT5813) is made by Breitling, or at least B01 based. I wear one, nothing wrong with it IMO. When setting the Tudor however, you can feel it’s not a Rolex.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

tl;dr - Tudor is a poor man's Rolex?

j/k

On a serious note: If you like the outer design..buy it. No sane person buys a Rolex instead of a Tudor for the calibre only.

That's complete and utter nonsense.

[emersm]

I prefer the ETA movements in Tudor

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by TinFoilCat

Tudor’s are great watches and excellent value… I have a Pelagos 39 and I absolutely love it…. It’s just that everything on a Rolex is slightly better, the quality of the materials, the movements, the finishing…. They are not big differences individually, but when added up they make a tangible difference.

Additionally, the Rolex name carries reputational value too…. But it’s not as simple as “paying for the name” (although that is a small factor)… you are paying for decades of evidence that the watch will out live you (if you are not careless with it)… when you buy a Rolex you are also paying for that. If you want vast complexity or cutting edge innovation then you probably don’t buy a Rolex…. however if you want iconic designs that are excellently built and will last a lifetime then Rolex’s reputation is almost unmatched in it’s price bracket…. That’s why they cost more.

This.