Needed Perspective: How Serious are the Tudor Quality Issues?

[WatchThinker]

Hi Gang,

No sooner did I buy one watch, that I was thinking about a great watch for Summer. I had been taken by so many reviews of the Tudor Pelagos - and the blue looks great. Then I started reading about the detaching lumes. I had previously been looking at the GMT and had a line on one, but was put off but he date wheel.

I’m kind of thinking of dropping the whole brand from my brain. Am I over-reacting?

Can anyone out there give me some perspective?

[jvb.nc]

you’re basically focusing on the stories of issues rather than the many without.

the date wheel issue is a thing, but will be sorted out if it happens no worries. and my autavia has a date wheel issue too.

the pelagos lume issue is up to others to say, but mine just spent a week hanging around at 9k + feet in very cold temps and hot tubs and inside snowboard gloves and no issues.

honestly, buy one. don’t stress. it’ll be fine.

[PegCity]

Does the lume detach on the bezel or on the dial of the Pelagos and does this happen on all Pelagos models?

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by PegCity

Does the lume detach on the bezel or on the dial of the Pelagos and does this happen on all Pelagos models?

the luminant used in pelagos bezels is a solid chunk, and some have fallen out. since it’s a bezel, it’s a fairly mellow fix.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

I have a blue Pelagos and have not had any these types of issues. I've heard about the GMT and the date wheel, but I understand that is fixed with no issues.

[mykii]

The Tudor lume has been a long-standing issue, as has the GMT date changes. YMMV. I'd personally buy a BB ETA.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by mykii

The Tudor lume has been a long-standing issue, as has the GMT date changes. YMMV. I'd personally buy a BB ETA.

If you don't have confidence in Tudor fixing this then stay away from the Pelagos as it is the only Tudor watch with lime on the bezel and the GMT, the only date wheel issue. There are many other great references with both ETA and supurb in-house calibres where the calibre has features unmatched by big brother. Ie, BB58


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[Ihatecheese]

Had a Pelagos. No issues at all

[SDREW22]

I purchased a Pelagos (in house)over the Summer. The lume fell out. I returned it for a full refund and went with a DJ.

The blue Pelagos is best looking watch on the market in my eyes. I'm waiting to see if their QC improves.

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[faz]

I must say, I was put off by the stories of issues with date with some of the newer models that came out, as I was just getting into the brand (bought the 79220R).

But as many have suggested here, on these forums, much like car forums, there are a lot higher concentration of issues reported than in real life out there.

I would not hesitate to buy Tudor at any time. Pelagos has grown on me (I used to hate the square hour markers but now find them nice and interesting.) Even the multiple lines of writing on the dial has grown on me and I wouldn't want one without them.

I know, crazy, right?

[Mick006]

I have a 2019 GMT. No issues at all. Have there been reports of late models with issues? I figured they had it sorted.

[CedCraig]

Originally Posted by Mick006

I figured they had it [GMT] sorted.

Not according to other threads here.

People returning their watch for service recently have been quoted a one-year wait to get their watch fixed. To make matters worse, Tudor apparently refuses to extend their warranty even if it takes a year to fix the watch.

Tudor’s service model is to simply take out your movement and replace it with a refurbished movement. Your movement is then refurbished and goes into someone else’s watch.

Seems like there’s been such a flood of GMT repairs that Tudor doesn’t have enough refurbished movements to pop into the lemon watches, hence the extremely long service wait time.

Given that the Kenissi MT5621 movement is based on the Rolex 3255, seems logical that the MT5652 (GMT) would have been based on a Rolex GMT movement. So, the design of the MT5652 is probably sound. That suggests QA/QC problems at the Kenissi factory. Or, in changing the design of the MT5652 to make it cheaper to produce, a design flaw was introduced. I don’t know what the fundamental problem is.

Since Tudor has tried to sweep the GMT problems under the rug, that indicates to me they’re not owning up to the problems with the Kenissi GMT movement. I’d run, not walk, away from a Tudor GMT.

[outdoors_guy]

There is yet to be a large brand for which at least a few stories like this have not cropped up. I own a North flag, which is not very popular, but just think about how many black bays are out there, and how many of those owners are enthusiastic watch people who are on this forum- if Tudor had real quality issues I think we would know.

The complaint I hear about Tudor most commonly is not about quality but about brand prestige.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by outdoors_guy

The complaint I hear about Tudor most commonly is not about quality but about brand prestige.

Yep. Mostly from folks who wear really really thick Rolex tinted lenses...

[padi56]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Yep. Mostly from folks who wear really really thick Rolex tinted lenses...

Have to agree and many forget the early problems with the Rolex cal 3035 cal 3135 and 3186 and even the new 32 series when first introduced.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

I currently own 5 Tudors and have had no issues with any of them, Rolex seem to have their own problems. I dive with both the Pelagos and Blackbay with no problems at all.

If your worried buy new with a 5 year warranty.

I've had the same flawless experience w/ my Tudors.

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree and many forget the early problems with the Rolex cal 3035 cal 3135 and 3186 and even the new 32 series when first introduced.

Easier to kick the poorer cousin than insult the club you're so desperately trying to impress.
dP

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Easier to kick the poorer cousin than insult the club you're so desperately trying to impress.

dP

Agree Dan!


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[unknown]

Originally Posted by outdoors_guy

The complaint I hear about Tudor most commonly is not about quality but about brand prestige.

Seriously???
I mean .... WTF


And to answer the question
I own just over 20 modern tudors and never had a problem with any of them

[Jona]

I have a blue Pelagos and GMT with no issues at all.

[Geckobros]

I wouldn't touch a Tudor GMT until the issue is completely sorted. The rest of the collection I wouldn't worry about.

[T-Bag]

Originally Posted by Geckobros

I wouldn't touch a Tudor GMT until the issue is completely sorted. The rest of the collection I wouldn't worry about.

Bingo

[~JJ]

Yes, I own 3 tudors, including one of the first pelagos in North America (received first batch post basel in 2012 CAD before sold in US) and wear them doing everything and never a single issue.

[ct79]

I own a Pelagos with inhouse movement since summer 2017. It is flawless. Funny thing: Still at the AD when I looked at it. The date did not turn when you wanted to set it, if you started to turn the crown first in the wrong direction and then changed it. The watch maker said, there is too much oil applied. Also the bezel had a slight abrasion close to the 12h position. So this all did not speak for Tudor nor for the AD quality check procedures. So the watch went back to Tudor. When it came back, all was fine and I bought it. I could have bought it ten times over at different places during the wait time, but I wanted to stick with my local AD.

All i can say, I like the watch a lot. Best value to get for the money you have to spend.

[Rori]

Originally Posted by WatchThinker

Hi Gang,



No sooner did I buy one watch, that I was thinking about a great watch for Summer. I had been taken by so many reviews of the Tudor Pelagos - and the blue looks great. Then I started reading about the detaching lumes. I had previously been looking at the GMT and had a line on one, but was put off but he date wheel.



I’m kind of thinking of dropping the whole brand from my brain. Am I over-reacting?



Can anyone out there give me some perspective?

When I saw the Tudor GMT for the first time in the metal I was aware of the date issue yet I didn’t hesitate the a second in taking it.
When I got the call for the SD43 I was aware of the 3235 movement having serious timekeeping accuracy issues, again, I didn’t hesitate a second.
My Tudor GMT date issue appear a month after the the purchase, went to Switzerland and came back November 2018 if I still remember. Perfect ever since.
My SD43 has not shown the timekeeping inconsistency yet but I don’t really care if it will do so. Rolex will fix whatever the issue will be.
Did any of the above affect my passion and love for my mechanical prices?
Absolutely not.


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[Mr Wolf]

I have both a blue Pelagos and a BB GMT. No problems at all. My son has a blue pelagos he uses as his wok watch, it has a few expected scratches on the case and crystal etc but no problems with the lume.

[jeorge]

I like Tudor but only withe the ETA movements including Pelagos.

[AJMarcus]

Sadly, I think Tudors halcyon days are behind them. When they used Rolex oyster cases and crowns and ETA movements they truly were a unique brand more closely allied with Rolex. You had Rolex like quality but at an affordable price point. More importantly, They rarely had QC issues. That all changed when they decided to become more commercialized in recent years. I think they make decent watches in a competitive price point market that includes Oris, Omega, Breitling and others. Some may disagree but that’s been my experience.

[18078pres]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

Sadly, I think Tudors halcyon days are behind them. When they used Rolex oyster cases and crowns and ETA movements they truly were a unique brand more closely allied with Rolex. You had Rolex like quality but at an affordable price point. More importantly, They rarely had QC issues. That all changed when they decided to become more commercialized in recent years. I think they make decent watches in a competitive price point market that includes Oris, Omega, Breitling and others. Some may disagree but that’s been my experience.

[TswaneNguni]

Rolex also has issues .. 3235 (Maybe,its sorted now )

Personally,I don't like issues from Rolex and affiliated companies .
Quality control is one of their biggest assets .Well known in the industry .

Quality issues,in control and manufacture and stories of RSC less than perfect service are red flags for Rolex.
Too many of these and it can harm the brand .

The Chairman and CEO need to keep tight control on this .

Quality is Rolex's biggest asset .

[Ksporty]

I own several SS sport Rolex references and the blue Pelagos with in-house movement. I was driven to extensively research and ultimately buy the Pelagos by the many good reviews on TRF and other sources. I was aware of QC issues with the lume, but they were far outnumbered by the positive reviews. The fit, finish, style, accuracy, and value have all exceeded my expectations. And I wear it hard. I don’t believe that Tudor’s best days are behind them, quite the opposite, and based on my experience I would recommend the Pelagos to anyone looking for a serious diver.