Tudor vs Rolex: What’s the Difference?

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Watch enthusiasts and newbies alike would know that Tudor is Rolex’s sister company. The brand has been making waves since their revamp in 2010, releasing hits such as the Tudor Black Bay and Pelagos. While Tudor was generally known as Rolex’s more affordable younger sibling, the brand has quickly come into its own.

This reignited the persistent question about the two brands: if the same company owns Rolex and Tudor, what is the difference between their watches?

The brand then created more accessible versions of Rolex’s watches, such as the Tudor Submariner ref 7922, released just one year after the Rolex Submariner was launched; as well as the Oyster and Prince lines.

Over the years, Tudor became known as Rolex’s lesser known sibling, the watch brand that one buys when they want a Rolex but couldn’t quite afford it yet.

This all changed however, with Tudor’s re-emergence in 2010. With their nostalgic, vintage-inspired releases like the Chrono, Pelagos, and Black Bay – Tudor was able to forge its own identity. Today, it’s the choice of a crowd that wants robust tool watches, without the obvious status symbol.

Until recently, the main difference between Rolex and Tudor was their movements. Rolex has been using in-house movements since 2004, when they purchased outright the manufacturing facility that makes their calibers.

Tudor, meanwhile, ran on movements created by renowned Swiss manufacturer ETA SA or Valjoux.

This distinguishing factor all changed when, in 2015, Tudor launched their first ever in-house movement: the Cal. MT5621. It first appeared in their North Flag line; but the caliber has been applied to the rest of their portfolio.

Rolex is known for using only the finest materials, and for even manufacturing their own metals. Since 2005, Rolex has been creating the gold, platinum, and stainless steel alloys used for their watches in their own foundry.

In fact, all the 18k gold they use in their watches are proprietary, especially mixed by the company to ensure maximum luxury and durability.

Meanwhile, most other watch brands use standard 316L stainless steel alloys for their watches or source their metals from third parties. Such is the case with Tudor, and this is one of the factors that determine their price range.

However, the build quality, engineering, and technical prowess used for Tudor watches are still identical to that of Rolex watches, so you’ll still get a timepiece that’s accurate and robust.

Rolex has instantly recognizable designs – from the classic Rolex Datejust to the ruggedly elegant Rolex Submariner.

The current line-up of Rolex watches have designs that have been around since the 1940s – 1950s, and have changed very little. As they say, Rolex watches only make way for technical advancements, and their timeless designs only go through “evolutions” rather then revolution.

Tudor, meanwhile, has been the company’s avenue for experimentation, and this makes their watch designs markedly different from Rolex.

While some models like the Tudor Submariner are overtly inspired by their Rolex counterpart, Tudor watches have been more adventurous – using materials like Titanium, cloth watch straps, as well as busier designs that are not found in Rolex watches.

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?