In the world of luxury watches, one question often echoes among enthusiasts and collectors: do Tudor watches hold value? Beyond their inherent allure and craftsmanship, discerning buyers seek timepieces that not only captivate aesthetically but also serve as sound investments. With Tudor's rich heritage dating back to 1926 and its affiliation with Rolex, renowned for its enduring value, the brand's watches have garnered increasing attention in horological circles. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the factors that contribute to the enduring value of Tudor watches, exploring their design integrity, historical significance, and market performance to help you make an informed investment decision.

Reputation of Tudor Watches in the Luxury Watch Market

Tudor's reputation in the luxury watch market has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Historically regarded as the more affordable alternative to Rolex, the brand has strategically repositioned itself with savvy product development and marketing initiatives. Shedding its former image as merely a "poor man’s Rolex," Tudor has emerged as a distinct entity with its own distinctive identity and style. This evolution has garnered widespread appreciation from watch enthusiasts globally, recognizing Tudor for its craftsmanship, innovation, and value proposition. However, while Tudor has carved its niche in the luxury segment, it's important to acknowledge that Rolex still maintains its unique status as both a watchmaker and an investment powerhouse, showcasing the enduring allure of "The Crown" in the horological realm.

So, Do Tudor Watches Hold Their Value?

Consider Supply and Demand

The scarcity principle plays a part in if a Tudor watch retains its value. If a watch is in short supply, people might be willing to pay more to have it. The price might increase if more people want to buy it. 

Hard-to-find watches tend to sell for large amounts of money. Watch enthusiasts want to add the watch to their portfolio. If you purchase a rare Tudor watch, it could hold or increase its value. 

Watches of high calibers, like the Tudor brand, are typically in short supply from the start. That’s because the manufacturing process is so intricate. Nearly every part of a Tudor watch gets hand-assembled at their factory. 

As a result, Tudor watches are already highly valued. 

Market Price

There are a few things to keep in mind when looking at secondhand market prices. There are recommended retail prices, which authorized Tudor retailers to follow. Tudor prices its watches appropriately, allowing for long-term value for the product. 

Next, there are pre-owned market prices. In this market, the price that the market is willing to pay for a pre-owned Tudor watch determines its value. 

Authorized Tudor resellers have to follow the pricing guidelines set by the Tudor company. We can look at their recommendations to determine if a watch has held its value. The closer the price of a pre-owned watch is to its retail price, the better value retention it has. 

Popularity

Tudor watches aren't like other timepieces on the market. They're extremely popular and highly esteemed, but not to the level that Rolex watches are.  In fact, Tudor is owned by Rolex. While these are both fine Swiss made timepieces the watches with the Rolex logo will usually be more desired and hold a higher price point.

Not all Tudor watches hold the same amount of value. Some models will increase in value faster than others. More popular Tudor watch models will retain their value better than others.

Watch Condition

A Tudor watch needs to be in very good condition to get top dollar. An unused Tudor watch will have more value than one that’s been frequently worn and shows heavy signs of wear.

Visible wear and tear can take some value off of a watch. However, keep in mind that watches get designed to get worn. Not many people buy a watch just to look at it.

Best Tudor Watches to Buy for Investment

What are the best Tudor watches for those looking to invest? Below are some of the best Tudor watches to select from when purchasing.

The Black Bay Tudor Watch

The Black Bay is one of the most iconic Tudor brand watches, consisting of an expansive line of beautiful pieces with a flawless, neo-vintage design set. Tudor's Black Bay models, such as the 2022 Tudor Black Bay Pro, are complete with stunning features, including a matte black domed dial, gorgeous, luminous hour markers, and self-winding movements. Additionally, Black Bay watches have waterproof screw-down crowns and are highly water-resistant, making them ideal for daily wear.

The Black Bay watch collection was launched in 2012 and stood out as one of the most expansive lines of Tudor watches. With over a dozen variations of Black Bay watches the model has something for everyone. This timepiece takes design cues from traditional dive watches, with some of the following similar features:

1. Snowflake hands
2. Domed dial and crystal
3. 200m water resistance

The Pelagos Tudor Watch

The Pelagos is another famous Tudor watch launched in 2012, with its name derived from the Ancient Greek word for “open” or “deep sea.” The watch is a refreshing, beautiful take on a classic vintage style and stands out as one of the most notable inclusions among Tudor watches. The Tudor Pelagos includes features such as the following:

1. A unidirectional bezel
2. Waterproof case
3. High contrast dials
4. Original generation Pelagos watches are powered by the ETA 2824, while the second iteration includes an in-house movement known as the MT5612.

The Chronographs Tudor Watch

The Chronographs are also a great option if you're looking to invest in a Tudor watch. When reviewing the Tudor Chronograph watches one is struck by the seamless blend of vintage-inspired design elements with modern engineering, resulting in timepieces that exude both heritage charm and contemporary sophistication.  The model was introduced in 1970 with three models featuring a 39mm case and two-register chronograph layouts. The next generation of Tudor Chronograph watches, released in 1971, maintained the same case size and dial design; however, this generation improved upon the internal chronograph movements.

In 1977, the Tudor Chronograph received another upgrade marking its third generation: “Big Block” chronographs, powered by self-winding movements and thicker cases than its predecessors. Both the vintage Tudor Chronograph (reference 7149) and its 1970 Chronograph predecessors (reference 7031) include the following features:

1. A stylish, 70s-style aesthetic dial design
2. A two-register chronograph layout
3. Fixed tachymeter scale bezel
4. Date window in the watch's 6 o'clock position
5. A cyclops magnification lens on the crystal

The Tudor Submariners

Tudor Submariner watches are a valuable investment for fans of vintage watches and anyone looking for the best watch to invest in. The Tudor Submariner watch is a high-quality alternative to the Rolex Submariner and other Rolex dive watches that guarantee water resistance, making it a perfect investment option if you are seeking a watch that’s safe to wear around water at a more affordable price.

The Tudor Submariner differs slightly from Rolex dive watches due to its movement style: the Submariner has a Caliber 390 self-winding movement, making it stand out against other similar models. Additionally, the Tudor Submariner 7928 watch includes the following features that could make it the best Tudor watch to invest in for you:

1. 39mm case size
2. Stainless steel material
3. Rotating timing bezel
4. Black dial with luminous hour markers
5. Acrylic domed crystal
6. 200m water resistance
7. Stainless steel oyster bracelet

The Tudor Black Bay Bronze

This option in the Tudor Black Bay collection may be the best Tudor watch to invest in if you are a fan of vintage-inspired designs and elegant features. The Tudor Black Bay Bronze watch has exquisite details blending retro and modern designs with a bronze case material. The watch is intentionally styled to show its age and contains the following features that make it a classic in the Black Bay collection:

1. Different dial
2. The only Black Bay model that features bronze in its case material
3. Different shades of brown on the watch’s dial and bezel–on the latest versions of the watch, different shades of slate gray are featured.
4. Unidirectional bezel
5. 200m water resistance

The Tudor Black Bay GMT

This model in Tudor’s Black Bay collection is a stunning example of the brand’s vintage designs. The Tudor Black Bay GMT includes a gorgeous steel case without crown guards, a matte black dial and chapter ring, a blue and red aluminum insert, a coin-edged bezel ring, and a rivet-style bracelet. Additionally, this Tudor GMT includes an 8mm crown and a blend of vintage and modern designs, finished with the following Rolex GMT Master watch features:

1. 41mm case size
2. Stainless steel materials
3. Time with running seconds, date display, and GMT functionality
4. Luminous hour markers
5. Bidirectional bezel with aluminum insert
6. Domed sapphire crystal
7. 200m water resistance
8. Stainless steel bracelet