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Tudor’s history began in 1926 when Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, registered the trademark “The Tudor.” Wilsdorf had an ambitious goal to create a watch brand that offered Rolex’s reliability and quality at a more accessible price. This concept laid the foundation for the brand.

However, the official establishment of “Montres Tudor S.A.” in 1946 is the company’s true founding. The mission was clear: to create timepieces that matched Rolex in quality while being affordable to a broader audience. While early models used Rolex crowns and cases, the movements came from other manufacturers, allowing for lower pricing.

The company launched its first marketing campaign in 1948, emphasizing its connection to Rolex and the quality assurance that came with it. This helped quickly establish trust in the new brand. In the 1950s, the business experienced significant growth. 1952, the company introduced the Oyster Prince, its first automatic and waterproof watch. This model became widely popular for its durability and affordability.

1954, the company introduced its first dive watch, the Oyster Prince Submariner, reference 7922. This marked the beginning of a long history of producing professional diving watches developed in collaboration with the French Navy.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Submariner line continued to evolve. 1969, the company introduced the “Snowflake” Submariner, which features a distinctive square-tipped hour hand. During this time, the brand also supplied watches to military forces, including the U.S. Navy and the French Navy, further solidifying its reputation for reliability and precision.

The 1970s saw the launch of new models, including the Prince Oysterdate Chronograph, which marked the company’s entry into the chronograph market and began its long history in this category.

The 1980s and 1990s were relatively quiet for the brand, with few significant developments or new models, though the company continued producing high-quality timepieces.

A major transformation occurred in 2009 when the company underwent a significant rebranding to distinguish itself more clearly from Rolex. The business began producing its in-house movements and introduced several new lines that quickly attracted the attention of watch enthusiasts.

2012, the company launched the Heritage Black Bay series, inspired by its vintage diving watches. The collection was an immediate success, reigniting interest among collectors and fans.

In 2015, the company made a major leap by introducing its first in-house movement, the MT5621 caliber, featured in the North Flag model. This marked the company’s growing independence and solidified its reputation as a serious watchmaker.

In 2017, the brand introduced the Black Bay Chronograph, powered by a movement developed in collaboration with Breitling. This partnership highlighted the company’s innovative spirit and openness to collaborations within the watch industry.

The Black Bay Fifty-Eight, launched in 2018, quickly became one of the company’s most popular models. Inspired by vintage dive watches, it appealed to the trend of vintage-style timepieces.

In 2019, the brand released the P01, a model based on a prototype developed in the 1960s for the U.S. Navy. The watch showcased the company’s ability to draw from its rich history to create unique and engaging designs.

As of 2023, the brand remains a leading mid-range luxury watch manufacturer. It continues to develop its core collections, such as the Pelagos and Black Bay, blending modern technology with its historical roots.

The company’s history is a story of a brand that emerged from the shadow of its famous sibling, Rolex, to establish its unique identity. Once seen as an affordable alternative to Rolex, the company has grown into a respected and innovative brand in its own right, known for honoring its heritage while adapting to the evolving demands of the watch market.