Tudor 1926 Review - Three Year Owner's Review

Tudor 1926 Review - While the Tudor 1926 Collection is expanding, and with many models to choose from that range in size, colours, materials and even now complications, the specific watch from the 1926 Collection is the 41mm textured-Black Dial with the full steel case and bracelet and applied numerals without the options of diamonds for the hour markers, and this watch can be seen below and in the blog header image. While there is visual differences that are going to be reviewed and discussed that may not apply to other models in the Tudor 1926 Collection, the core specifications are the same for most of the watches, making the review useful no matter the 1926 Model you are looking to buy or want to find out more about.

The first thing to notice about this watch when wearing is the feel and build quality, as the retail price of £2,060 from a mainstream brand such as Tudor, as top brands sometimes cut their quality for their entry-level models. The steel feels as good on the 1926 as the Black Bay series, which is good to see, and this means the watch wears very comfortable, with the 7-link bracelet. The steel uses brushed techniques on the outer-links on each side, and polished links on the 5 in the centre of the bracelet, similar to the styling of the jubilee bracelet, but more unique and less loud, due to the fame of the jubilee style.

The case uses a clean polished finish as well as the bezel, allowing for external lighting to reflect and interact with the case in a extroverted sense, giving the wearer a statement piece that draws attention and gets people talking (from my experience).

The dial has a unique waffle-style texture, separating itself from the outer-minute track, for a clean and simple layout, leaving plenty of clear space for the wearer to appreciate the pattern, with the applied hour markers and numerals using necessary space, but not too much to ensure readability while balancing the classy dress-watch style and functionality. Despite the well-sized numerals, the dress-watch styling and rhodium-plated numerals means there is no lume, leaving low-light conditions sometimes a challenge for reading the time, as the reflections of the hands and numerals synchronising with external light. It is also made a challenge due to the lack of AR Coating on the domed-sapphire crystal glass, which makes reflections prominent during time-reading in certain conditions.

The clasp featuring on this bracelet is a simple (well-made) steel clasp embossed with the Tudor logo. While this looks like a basic clasp and the 1926 series doesn't feature the T-Fit Clasp as found on many of Tudor's higher-end pieces, this clasp is still functional and secure, with ceramic balls at each side of the clasp ensuring a secure fit and slow-wear because of ceramic's durability. The clasp rarely opens accidentally, and the strength of the ceramic opening system means that this watch is secure on the wrist.

Unfortunately, the Calibre T601 Movement cannot be seen through an exhibition window in the case-back, yet it still reliably ticks inside and powers this watch via the clearly-displayed Self-winding function that is also written on the dial in the 'smiley' arc-shape, with a crown-winding or automatic rotor-based winding system, giving this watch a power reserve of approximately 38-hours when fully wound, perfect for an every-day watch or special occasions, and can be taken off at weekends and rewound on Sunday night to keep it ticking and accurate at the end of the week. Suitable for an everyday office watch, yet this 1926 collection may struggle to suffice in more active jobs since the precious polished case and bracelet, as well as the difficult readability, though could survive the rain and light water conditions via the 100M Water Resistance.

This watch is best suited to an office worker as previously mentioned, as the dress-watch and formal style fits excellently with a suit and tie and other items of formalwear, as well as the delicate nature of the polished finish of the watch, with only desk scratches at the office rather than potential large, watch-ruining pieces of damage. Due to the comfortable bracelet, it sometimes makes the wearer forget there is something on their wrist without looking - the ultimate sign of a comfortable watch, making this a perfect watch for not getting in the way when typing, but noticeable to others and when checking the time.

From my time of owning this Tudor 1926, the timekeeping has been reliable and accurate, losing only a few minutes a month at most, and even this may be an unreliable statistic due to leaving the watch out-of-rotation on occasion, therefore it ran out of power and wasn't set exactly to the second upon rewinding it.

So far in three years it hasn't had the need for a service too, with multiple occasions of dings and drops onto surfaces, showing the steel case and sapphire crystal are made of strong stuff, protecting the movement and all functions are still working as good as the day I received this watch.

3 Good Things I Like About the Tudor 1926:

-The Comfortability of this watch for the price is top-class - I forget I have it on without looking on occasion.

-The finishing is consistent with Tudor's top ranges despite the 1926 being one of their entry-level collections based on price.

-The appearance of this watch stands out, looking potentially more expensive and luxurious than the price may suggest.

3 Things I Would Improve:

-Readability or inclusion of AR Coating to offset the lack of Lume, which is understandable since it is a dress-watch, but the AR Coating is a need to ensure readability in all conditions.

-The clasp could use a T-Fit style to keep up with the quality of Tudor's other watches.

-Exhibition window case-back for the improved view of the watch's movement.

With a retail price of £2,060 and a secondary market price of around £1,100, this watch can be perfect for someone looking to get into the world of luxury watches with a stylish and classy timepiece fit for many formal occasions, allowing the wearer to experience the quality of a luxury mechanical watch at a price less than most. At second-hand prices, this watch offers amazing value, but at retail, there could be alternative options that may offer similar luxury and style. After owning for three years, this watch is still worn regularly and I would recommend this as a great entry-luxury timepiece from a well-established brand.

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