The mystery of the disappeared Tudor novelties

[NWNL]

Hi all,

I rarely post anything, but I would like to share something with you. I am a huge fan of the new Tudor Black Bay SG line! The new strap, the improved clasp; finally a luxury feeling with Tudor imo.

However, on the day of the launch, there were 49 variants available on the website. I have several screenshots and (now dead) links here. Also in the press releases there were references to a champagne-coloured dial with diamonds or a silver one with a flower/rounding motif.

The next day, however, only 14 of the 49 variants could be found on the Tudor website. All champagne-coloured dials or those with the motif have disappeared. Only the standard explorer look a likes are still there.

I have asked my AD, but they do not know. On a Dutch watch forum they say that it is a lawsuit from Louis Vuitton. The flower motif would look too much like a part of the monogram. However, I cannot verify this and I cannot find anything about it online.

The models have been made, but perhaps not made available. In a rare hands on video on YouTube, you can see them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVUM...ature=youtu.be

I wonder: will the models come back? Are they really gone because of a lawsuit? Or is it a region exclusive?

Finally, I read somewhere that all the links are now completely gold, is this true?

[Dufresne]

Interesting. If there were such a lawsuit that prompted Tudor to remove the motif dials, that wouldn’t explain removal of the champagne dials I wouldn’t think.

As for the center links in the bracelet, the new S&G GMT center links on the bracelet are only plated, so I’d be surprised if these bracelets contained solid gold, but who knows. It’s more of a jubilee style bracelet, so maybe the gold bits are solid.


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[VFA]

Hmm

The motif dials do look very similar to the LV monogram

The watch looks like a Rolex x LV collaboration

[Mick006]

Much better clasps. Nothing against the current clasps, but to me these are a huge upgrade.

[Dufresne]

Originally Posted by Mick006

Much better clasps. Nothing against the current clasps, but to me these are a huge upgrade.

I know they definitely look better. Do they have any micro adjust or anything?


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[GBD]

Originally Posted by Dufresne

I know they definitely look better. Do they have any micro adjust or anything?


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Yes, these have the T-clasp now, so it's a huge improvement. Also have a refined case (less blocky) and in-house chronometer.

[NWNL]

Originally Posted by Dufresne

Interesting. If there were such a lawsuit that prompted Tudor to remove the motif dials, that wouldn’t explain removal of the champagne dials I wouldn’t think.

As for the center links in the bracelet, the new S&G GMT center links on the bracelet are only plated, so I’d be surprised if these bracelets contained solid gold, but who knows. It’s more of a jubilee style bracelet, so maybe the gold bits are solid.


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In this article they suggest the links should be solid.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/tudo...osc-movements/

[JR16]

^^ First two links are solid, rest are plated.


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[winst]

The big plus as well is the in-house movement now.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by JR16

^^ First two links are solid, rest are plated.


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“Capped”
There is a significant difference is all I’m pointing out.

OP. Here is a side/cutout view of Tudor’s gold capping.

(Image by Richard Mui)

[Cloud Palms]

Thanks for sharing. I was also noticing those dials and why weren't they on the site.

I doubt the LV lawsuit has any weight. They don't remind me at all of LV, it's just a diagonal motif which Rolex uses often. Probably they just want to hold off until later this year or next to release them as to not take too much attention from their other releases or Rolex.

I actually think the 39mm has the potential to upstage big brother if they want to attempt it. Lots of people myself included think the 41mm is too big for a DJ and it should be 39. Couple that with a better than Rolex clasp, jubilee and the 1/3 price point and you have a viable DJ alternative not just a placeholder

[JR16]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

“Capped”
There is a significant difference is all I’m pointing out.

OP. Here is a side/cutout view of Tudor’s gold capping.

(Image by Richard Mui)

Yes sorry meant to type capped


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[1William]

Very informative. Thank you.

[Amateur]

Originally Posted by NWNL

Hi all,

I rarely post anything, but I would like to share something with you. I am a huge fan of the new Tudor Black Bay SG line! The new strap, the improved clasp; finally a luxury feeling with Tudor imo.

However, on the day of the launch, there were 49 variants available on the website. I have several screenshots and (now dead) links here. Also in the press releases there were references to a champagne-coloured dial with diamonds or a silver one with a flower/rounding motif.

The next day, however, only 14 of the 49 variants could be found on the Tudor website. All champagne-coloured dials or those with the motif have disappeared. Only the standard explorer look a likes are still there.

I have asked my AD, but they do not know. On a Dutch watch forum they say that it is a lawsuit from Louis Vuitton. The flower motif would look too much like a part of the monogram. However, I cannot verify this and I cannot find anything about it online.

The models have been made, but perhaps not made available. In a rare hands on video on YouTube, you can see them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVUM...ature=youtu.be

I wonder: will the models come back? Are they really gone because of a lawsuit? Or is it a region exclusive?

Finally, I read somewhere that all the links are now completely gold, is this true?

Not necessarily a bad thing, that there are less variations of Tudor watches.

[koronet-kid]

Originally Posted by NWNL

Hi all,

I rarely post anything, but I would like to share something with you. I am a huge fan of the new Tudor Black Bay SG line! The new strap, the improved clasp; finally a luxury feeling with Tudor imo.

However, on the day of the launch, there were 49 variants available on the website. I have several screenshots and (now dead) links here. Also in the press releases there were references to a champagne-coloured dial with diamonds or a silver one with a flower/rounding motif.

The next day, however, only 14 of the 49 variants could be found on the Tudor website. All champagne-coloured dials or those with the motif have disappeared. Only the standard explorer look a likes are still there.

I have asked my AD, but they do not know. On a Dutch watch forum they say that it is a lawsuit from Louis Vuitton. The flower motif would look too much like a part of the monogram. However, I cannot verify this and I cannot find anything about it online.

The models have been made, but perhaps not made available. In a rare hands on video on YouTube, you can see them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVUM...ature=youtu.be

I wonder: will the models come back? Are they really gone because of a lawsuit? Or is it a region exclusive?

Finally, I read somewhere that all the links are now completely gold, is this true?

Post the screenshots that you have don’t be such a tease

[WILLIWALKER]

Very interesting topic!! Thanks for posting.

Last week, I was looking for these models, in 39 with diamond indexes and these dials, but I couldn't find them on the site, so I moved on without thinking too much about it and boom, I came across your subject!!
These models are magnificent and interest me enormously for all the advantages you mention.
Too bad for this history of legal proceedings...

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Cloud Palms

Thanks for sharing. I was also noticing those dials and why weren't they on the site.

I doubt the LV lawsuit has any weight. They don't remind me at all of LV, it's just a diagonal motif which Rolex uses often. Probably they just want to hold off until later this year or next to release them as to not take too much attention from their other releases or Rolex.

I actually think the 39mm has the potential to upstage big brother if they want to attempt it. Lots of people myself included think the 41mm is too big for a DJ and it should be 39. Couple that with a better than Rolex clasp, jubilee and the 1/3 price point and you have a viable DJ alternative not just a placeholder

They wouldn’t announce them, put them on their website, and then decide, “these are going to upstage our big brother, so let’s drop them.”

That’s exactly what did NOT happen.


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[Cloud Palms]

Originally Posted by Krash

They wouldn’t announce them, put them on their website, and then decide, “these are going to upstage our big brother, so let’s drop them.”

That’s exactly what did NOT happen.


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You seem pretty sure of that, but the whole LV lawsuit seems even less plausible to me. The diamond dial design has nothing to do with LV, Rolex has been doing it for years.

Let's not make it like the company sees into the future 20 years ahead of us and doesn't make mistakes. They can change their mind just like anyone else and try to cover it up.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Cloud Palms

You seem pretty sure of that, but the whole LV lawsuit seems even less plausible to me. The diamond dial design has nothing to do with LV, Rolex has been doing it for years.

Let's not make it like the company sees into the future 20 years ahead of us and doesn't make mistakes. They can change their mind just like anyone else and try to cover it up.

Yes, that's because I am sure.

Rolex & Tudor executives didn't find out about these new watches the same time we did. LOL!

For months and months they knew exactly what was being released. They had plenty of time to make that determination.

It's not like they said, "oh crap, we have to get rid of these because of Rolex."

Honestly, that is just a ridiculous suggestion.

[Cloud Palms]

Originally Posted by Krash

Yes, that's because I am sure.



Rolex & Tudor executives didn't find out about these new watches the same time we did. LOL!



For months and months they knew exactly what was being released. They had plenty of time to make that determination.



It's not like they said, "oh crap, we have to get rid of these because of Rolex."



Honestly, that is just a ridiculous suggestion.

Whats your theory then to what happened smart guy?

[kieselguhr]

Maybe only available in Asian market? Specifically Hong Kong. I still haven’t seen a Tudor Royal at my AD.

[Cloud Palms]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Maybe only available in Asian market? Specifically Hong Kong. I still haven’t seen a Tudor Royal at my AD.

Then wouldnt that adhere to the thought of management decisions changing/mistakes at a whim? If theyre making it for Asia market for now why would it be on the site for a day and at an international release?

In any case I can respect that idea and its entirely possible. At least you come to the table with a constructive discussion point rather than calling other ideas ridiculous and not offering any analysis of your own.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Cloud Palms

Then wouldnt that adhere to the thought of management decisions changing/mistakes at a whim? If theyre making it for Asia market for now why would it be on the site for a day and at an international release?.

As for the why, I have no idea. But they did the same thing when the Tudor Royal was released. Initially for Asian market only. It appeared on the NA website during launch then was subsequently removed. Eventually, it was made available in the NA market but I have yet to see it at any AD locally.

There’s articles about it on various watch media.

Sounds like a similar scenario

[Alvar*]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

“Capped”
There is a significant difference is all I’m pointing out.

OP. Here is a side/cutout view of Tudor’s gold capping.

(Image by Richard Mui)

How should one approach this capping? How does it compare to plating or 5-digit two tone rolexes? More gold or less gold?

Really handsome watches tho IMO.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Alvar*

How should one approach this capping? How does it compare to plating or 5-digit two tone rolexes? More gold or less gold?

Really handsome watches tho IMO.

It's much thicker than plating. I don't know how thick Tudor cap gold is but on some early vintage Grand Seikos and King Seikos in the 1960s it was 80 and 100 microns respectively, and they tend to still look very nice today - often keeping original shape and rarely worn through. Gold plate watches from those days usually look like junk now.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Alvar*

How should one approach this capping? How does it compare to plating or 5-digit two tone rolexes? More gold or less gold?

Really handsome watches tho IMO.

Gold plating is done by electrochemical process to form a thin layer of gold on the surface of the host metal.

Gold capping the way Tudor does it is essentially wrapping a layer of gold onto steel.

The difference in thickness between gold capping and gold plating is significant. It would take thousands of polishing to reveal the steel core on a gold plated watch. (And I don’t mean a hack job polish )

[samson66]

That's very interesting and thanks for linking to the video. Very odd. No theories over here but curious to see where this goes. Some of those new variants, like the greyish motif dial in the video, were pretty sharp looking. That's a shame that they don't appear to be selling them.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Cloud Palms

Whats your theory then to what happened smart guy?

It could be supply chain related and a sudden inability to produce them.

Might even be a defect in the website.


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[Stranger]

Could it be that it's a reaction to how the models were received at W&W?