Tudor Question

[quakeroatmeal]

I see tons of posts here about how tough Rolexes are to get, do Tudors have the same issue?

I've fallen in love with the Tudor Black Bay GMT, and called my jeweler and they told me they get allocated whenever and I should call every few months, but that I couldn't order one.

Do I need to jump through hoops like I do for Rolex, for a Tudor?

I haven't handled a Tudor before, how is the quality? From video reviews, I really admire that tool-y watch vibe that the newer GMTs lack.

My main worry is the bracelet, after having a modern Rolex, and having grown used to the high quality bracelets they come with I hope I won't be turned off by it!

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by quakeroatmeal

I see tons of posts here about how tough Rolexes are to get, do Tudors have the same issue?



I've fallen in love with the Tudor Black Bay GMT, and called my jeweler and they told me they get allocated whenever and I should call every few months, but that I couldn't order one.



Do I need to jump through hoops like I do for Rolex, for a Tudor?



I haven't handled a Tudor before, how is the quality? From video reviews, I really admire that tool-y watch vibe that the newer GMTs lack.



My main worry is the bracelet, after having a modern Rolex, and having grown used to the high quality bracelets they come with I hope I won't be turned off by it!

Hard to get Tudor models at an AD include the BB GMT, and BB 58.

I believe Tudor does not manufacture the bracelet in house. My gripe with the bracelet is they lack the capacity for customized sizing like Rolex bracelets are (1/2 links, 1/4, links). The adjustability on the BB bracelets are also shot because of there are only 3 holes and no EZ link system. Not even a divers extension for a diving watch. They are comfortable bracelets though outside of the sizing issue.

Other than that, Tudors are solid watches as you get what you pay for, if not more.

I should also mention that the BB GMT currently has many reported issues with the date wheel.


AOW

[andrewjb88]

BB GMT and BB 58 are still quite hard to get quickly, no where near as long as some of the Rolex models though.

I waited about 6 months for my BB GMT in UK.

[quakeroatmeal]

Those vintage-y colors and that chunky dial are just so charming! I must have one!

I'm going to Japan in October and it would be perfect for the trip!

UGH.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by quakeroatmeal

Those vintage-y colors and that chunky dial are just so charming! I must have one!

I'm going to Japan in October and it would be perfect for the trip!

UGH.

Nothing wrong with picking up a gently used one from a grey. Unless you’re adamant about buying new.


AOW

[ltmgeller]

Not as bad as Rolex

[Dan Pierce]

Love my BB GMT and equally thrilled with the bracelet. The rivet bracelet has stair step tapering links w/ more proportional sized center links which add to the vintage theme. Tudor watches are as tough as any out there. Mine is scary accurate with the smoothest winding & setting of any watch I've owned.
dP

[johnjm]

Go 58. Can't go wrong for the price point.

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[tanask211]

The MT56 series movement are chronometer therefore accuracy is not a issue. Tudor has successfully evolved itself into another brand instead of past image as poor man's rolex.

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[The Libertine]

Tudor makes exceptional watches for the price point. I recently picked up a Black Bay 41 (blue dial on tan leather strap), and am very impressed with the watch.

[playford]

The strap and case (apart from a slight side bevel on the GMT) is pretty much the same as the black bay which should be available in most Tudor stockists to try on.

[nigelUK]

I have the 58 & the bracelet is very comfortable & well made. I've found it more comfortable than a Sub ceramic bracelet but because I have it sized perfectly. I find the length of the clasp on the SubC too long and rigid. The 58 feels more flexible. I do have to adjust the bracelet a single notch using a tooth pick in the summer to allow a bit more room.

So, yeah in an ideal world you would have the easy adjustment of say the SubC, but it's £2.5k with an in-house 70hr power reserve & 200m water resistance. .... and a beauty.

I'm now seriously considering getting the GMT . . even with the case thickness issue.

[lhanddds]

Plenty available on the secondary market at very reasonable prices, unlike Rolex.

[watchwatcher]

It's a great watch, but yeah, it's gonna take some doing to get one from an AD.

They do come up, though, you just gotta hang in there and stay in touch. If you have a good relationship with your dealer, it helps. I totally lucked into one last year, thanks to a fellow forum member.

As far as the bracelet goes, I'm a fan, in terms of quality, looks, and feel. The only knock I have on the BB family bracelets is the lack of micro adjustment in the clasp. Other than that, though, they're great.

[Etschell]

Unlikely my local ad has everything other than the gmt. Even the 58

[Brny11]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Nothing wrong with picking up a gently used one from a grey. Unless you’re adamant about buying new.


AOW

This.

Rolex hard to get pieces are readily available in grey market at ridiculous prices. Agreed that new tudors usually go for a discount so yes price is relatively higher but still not 3-5x mark up. I’d go grey if AD can’t come through.

To answer op question from my perspective, they are sort of like Rolex as they are “hard to get”, yet somehow I got a 58 with 0 history at AD, and without asking, got a small discount that saved tax. So production is low, but I don’t sense any AD games.




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[Statuswan]

Living in Alberta Canada, my AD had a 2 page long waiting list for the 58, slightly less for the GMT. But i was in Vancouver last week and a dealer had a 58 and a GMT in the display case. Maybe they're catching up to demand?

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[samson66]

The GMT is still difficult to get, epecially on the bracelet. The 58 also hard to get. But neither is as hard to get as pretty much any Rolex professional. So with a little waiting you should be able to get what you want. Took me about 3 months for the GMT (on leather).

The quality is terrific. Yes it feels and wears differently than a Rolex, after all it ISN'T a Rolex. It is a more tooly watch and a great price point. Dollar-for-dollar maybe the best Swiss watch produced today.

[derekhayden]

I love my BBGMT and wear it daily. I have since moved along my 216570 since it was no longer my go to GMT.

I am not careful at all with my watches so I can definitely vouch for its durability. The one thing I would change about the bracelet is the lack of Oyster Lock mechanism Rolex uses for the extra bit of safety.

I also prefer a heftier watch so the 58 wasn't in the cards for me.

[Jona]

I am very happy with my BB GMT. I ordered the leather strap and deployant thru the AD and had them in 1 week. In 2 weeks the watch is a total of +5 seconds. At less than half the price of a Rolex GMT I feel it is well worth the $. The bracelet may not have the adjustability of the Rolex but I don't care for the PCL on the Rolex.

I have the Smarty endlinks on order and that opens up some nice looking strap options. Overall it's a winner.

[MCO1]

Not generally as hard to get and a lot of "bang per buck".

[Fabrice M]

My Tudor GMT has become my daily watch. I am very fortunate to have a very nice watch collection, mostly Rolex, but got to say that BB GMT has been a surprisingly fantastic watch. It is a little bigger and heavier from what I usually prefer, which is 40mm cases, but the bb GMT is so perfectly balance, it is incredibly comfortable, the super luminova is better than on any ROLEX i own, including the BLRO, the bezel color is perfect, i love everything about the watch and recommend it highly and I do recommend ordering it with the steel bracelet, which is of very high quality, as is everything Tudor makes. You will not b disappointed by this watch.

[slus]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

My gripe with the bracelet is they lack the capacity for customized sizing like Rolex bracelets are (1/2 links, 1/4, links). The adjustability on the BB bracelets are also shot because of there are only 3 holes and no EZ link system. Not even a divers extension for a diving watch. They are comfortable bracelets though outside of the sizing issue.

That is a legitimate Tudor gripe. Even with the awesome adjustable clasp of the Pelagos, I want a half link for it.

[westsiderkg]

Tudor is nice, but the bracelet pinches hair like a biatch!

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by westsiderkg

Tudor is nice, but the bracelet pinches hair like a biatch!

Definitely prefer their straps (make a beautiful leather w/deployment clasp) vs. bracelet.