Tudor Grantour Chronograph Review

[HogwldFLTR]

I received my Tudor Grantour 20530N Chronograph recently and have had fun posting pictures of it. I bought it because I'm looking towards buying a Daytona in the future, (saving up to buy one), and wanted a similar watch to hold me over until I get it. I wasn't really too familiar with the Grantour line when I found mine. Immediately I was struck by the dial layout similarity to the Daytona. With the three sub-dials arranged in the same format as the Daytona. Additionally the watch has two often asked for attributes lacking in the Daytona, 1) larger diameter, the 530N is 42mm in diameter, and 2), a date window surprisingly displaying the date. Missing is the fixed bezel Daytona tachymeter replaced instead with lacquer black and silver fixed hour bezel insert with tech numbers. The insert reminds me somewhat of the bezels on the newer Brietling SuperOceans 44 except in more reasonable proportion also akin to the Daytona.



Received was the Tudor box, all paperwork (unfilled warranty card with Jewelers name and other literature), hang tag, and Tudor quick date set tool.





This is the second iteration of the watch for Tudor, the first was the 20350N which had over sized polished lugs and a wider bezel insert with hour ticks as well as tech hours also in black enamel and silver. The 350N was introduced in 2009; it was refined in 2011 to the current model which features a Valjoux 7753 movement with recessed quick set button on the 10:00 lug underside which forwards the date wheel with each button push. The new models has sleeker brushed lugs and has lost the hour ticks seen on the first model's insert. Both are 150m water resistant.

Tudor 20350N



The Grantour leads the charge in Tudor's association with Motor Sports with its tie to the World Endurance Championship. It shares the spotlight amongst the Tudor Chronograph offerings of the Heritage and Fastrider lines with each of the three branches having multiple offerings in varied dial colors and/or case materials. For the Grantour there are multiple movement choices as well with both the Valjoux 7753 and ETA Flyback 2892 movements depending on desired functionality. The flyback movement allows on the fly resetting of the chrono time. The dial choices include white, silver, and black. Cases for all models are made of steel with the ETA flyback movement with 42 hour reserve available with bracelets and inserts of steel or steel and rose gold; the Valjoux movement with 46 hour reserve is only available in the all steel model. All models are also available on straps which have either micro or large perforations. The bracelets all have polished center links which provide some added wrist presence.



On the Valjoux based chrono, aside from the some what hidden date set button, also not apparent is the very easy to use 1/8th turn locking chrono buttons. These allow very quick access of the chrono controls (also present on the ETA based flyback chrono). These are really nice to use and quickly return the watch to its 150 meter depth water resistance.



Most surprising to me when I first placed the watch on was the heft of the model. With three links removed, on my scale the watch weighs 191 grams coming in at over 35 grams more than the Black Bay (155 grams also with sized bracelet).



So in summary, to me the watch is a beauty on the wrist with amazing presence. It has surprising heft and aligns much more with the standard Rolex Daytona than did it predecessor. It uses a work horse movement and has unique features like its date window, 1/8th turn chrono adjusters, and hidden quick date adjust button.

[Dan Pierce]

Great review, Lee! Love the brushed lugs on this reference and all the details that make this a winner.
dP

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Great review, Lee! Love the brushed lugs on this reference and all the details that make this a winner.
dP

Thanks, Dan, you da Tudor Man!!!

[tkerrmd]

Awesome watch Lee! It has it all!!

[jmiicustomz]

Awesome review! Great looking watch I may have to look for one myself!

[Old Expat Beast]

Good write up. The updated version is definitely an improvement. Those 1/8 pushers and date button are also on a few other Tudor models, too. Is the Grantour still partnered with Porsche? Seems like a good match, visually.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Good write up. The updated version is definitely an improvement. Those 1/8 pushers and date button are also on a few other Tudor models, too. Is the Grantour still partnered with Porsche? Seems like a good match, visually.

At this point the only partnering I see is with the World Endurance Championship of which Tudor is the official time keeper. Perhaps the Porshe alliance still exists but it doesn't show in their current website/literature. I couldn't find another current Tudor chrono with the 1/8th turn pushers. Can you point me toward the one you're referencing? Porshe is a pretty sweet tie-in! (Are you paying attention Dr. Tom?) Great photos btw. Thanks!!!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

At this point the only partnering I see is with the World Endurance Championship of which Tudor is the official time keeper. Perhaps the Porshe alliance still exists but it doesn't show in their current website/literature. I couldn't find another current Tudor chrono with the 1/8th turn pushers. Can you point me toward the one you're referencing? Porshe is a pretty sweet tie-in! Great photos btw.

The Hydronaut II and the Aeronaut (the latter isn't a chronograph, it uses the pushers to flip the hour hand back and forth, but they are 1/8th pushers). Both are just out of production, but utilised this feature, and are still widely available in ADs (here in HK anyway).

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The Hydronaut II and the Aeronaut (the latter isn't a chronograph, it uses the pushers to flip the hour hand back and forth, but they are 1/8th pushers). Both are just out of production, but utilised this feature, and are still widely available in ADs (here in HK anyway).

Ahh, got it. Thanks!!! Also for reference, do you happen to know the weight of the THC?

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Awesome watch Lee! It has it all!!

Thanks, got it all except the Rolex moniker...

Originally Posted by jmiicustomz

Awesome review! Great looking watch I may have to look for one myself!

Thanks, I love it!!!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Ahh, got it. Thanks!!! Also for reference, do you happen to know the weight of the THC?

Mine is 177g with all the links.

[Tseg]

Great watch and great review.

I always like when a post starts "I just spent thousands on a watch because I'm saving my money..."

[Singslinger]

Very nice writeup, thanks for taking the time and effort to share your impressions.

[travisb]

It's reviews like this that continue to grow my interest in the Tudor line.
Congrats on a great piece!

[Sam Crow]

Great review and pics! Man, Tudor has been killing it lately.

I actually did the same thing with a Tudor Chrono ('big block' seems to be what people call them now?) bought new, about 15 years ago, Lee. Back then, an SS Daytona was just too scarce and way out of my range. Beautiful watch, but for reason I never really bonded with it. It was just a tad too thick for me (back then), and it just made me want a Daytona even more. My Sub and Speedy ended up getting way more wrist time. On a positive side, it's still mint now.

Your Tudor has it's own great look. Enjoy and wear it in good health!

[padi56]

Well IMHO a much better looking watch that its plain Jane cousin the Rolex Daytona.

[cop414]

Great write up Lee, awesome looking watch!

[GerardoG]

Very nice! Thank you for sharing!

[Case61]

Great-looking watch. Thanks for the in-depth review, it looks pretty intriguing.

[TheVTCGuy]

Wow, I really like that aeronaut, is it a 42mm size? 40?

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Wow, I really like that aeronaut, is it a 42mm size? 40?

41mm!!!

[Psmith]

Congrats Lee, and an excellent review

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Psmith

Congrats Lee, and an excellent review

Thanks; with so little info on the forum available I figured I might as well document what I was able to.

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The Hydronaut II and the Aeronaut (the latter isn't a chronograph, it uses the pushers to flip the hour hand back and forth, but they are 1/8th pushers). Both are just out of production, but utilised this feature, and are still widely available in ADs (here in HK anyway).

One thing worth noting is that the other watches don't seem to be available in the US (at least at the one I frequent). I guess we have some catching up to do wrt Tudor.

[Eric Chan]

Great review and photos. Thank you for taking the time to share that with us, Lee. Hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

Great review and photos. Thank you for taking the time to share that with us, Lee. Hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

Thanks, Eric, it's a great watch and maybe my favorite to date.

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

The Hydronaut II and the Aeronaut (the latter isn't a chronograph, it uses the pushers to flip the hour hand back and forth, but they are 1/8th pushers). Both are just out of production, but utilised this feature, and are still widely available in ADs (here in HK anyway).

One final follow-up; I'm not seeing those at the AD and suspect they were discontinued prior to Tudor's re-entry into the US marketplace.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Thanks, Eric, it's a great watch and maybe my favorite to date.






One final follow-up; I'm not seeing those at the AD and suspect they were discontinued prior to Tudor's re-entry into the US marketplace.

Yep, that's what I meant by "just out of production"....couple of years. You could go out and pick up a dozen of each, NIB, from ADs over here in an hour, though. Pity they didn't catch on really. The Aeronaut in particular is a really interesting watch, in several design variations.

[Maxtor]

Very nice review. Enjoy the watch.

[watchwatcher]

I had the pleasure of trying one of these on a couple of weeks ago...you are spot on with the size/weight description. Wow, that thing is a chunky monkey.

I've got this thing for red subdial hands, so this watch has caught my eye for some time.

Thanks for the very thoughtful and thorough review, Lee. Congrats again!

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I had the pleasure of trying one of these on a couple of weeks ago...you are spot on with the size/weight description. Wow, that thing is a chunky monkey.

I've got this thing for red subdial hands, so this watch has caught my eye for some time.

Thanks for the very thoughtful and thorough review, Lee. Congrats again!

Thanks for the feedback. I like the watch a lot and still get a kick out of wearing it. Who knows maybe there won't be a Daytona in my future.

[lamond]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Thanks for the feedback. I like the watch a lot and still get a kick out of wearing it. Who knows maybe there won't be a Daytona in my future.

Just stumbled upon this model.. i have a few questions if someone can help me

1. Will I be able to buy a leather strap and replace the metal? if so what size? 20mm?

2. This model was discontinued.. is there a reason?

[sitka39]

Beautiful watch, I especially like the back side (reminds me of Rolex I know...).

Just curious, how does a quick-date set tool work ? Is it just a pin that you push a button with and it resets to 1 ?

I think the watch would look just as nice with a solid high quality leather strap (I'd go with brown....). Lug width might be 22mm... I think.