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Now Hans Wilsdorf RWC first opened Tudor watch production in 1946,and one of the main reasons why he chose the brand name Tudor. Was that he wanted to pay tribute to the Tudor history period of old England.
The Tudor line prior to around 1990 was all Rolex except for movement,and the only step down in quality is the price.Then the main difference Tudor used a top range Chronometer grade ETA or Valjoux a first class all in-house built movements, in watches like the Tudor Prince they used a light Oyster on Subs they used the heavy Oyster bracelet.Now today the Tudor line has quite a heritage with Hans Wilsdorf the founder of Rolex.
In todays market quite a few vintage Tudor watches command higher prices than there Rolex brothers.The Tudor line are still made in the same now highly automated factory as Rolex.While now would agree the Aeronaut,Hydronaut range are not quite as good as the Oyster cased ones but its still very very close.Tudor are still a very important part of the Rolex history,and quite a few countries chose the Tudor Subs for military use instead of its Rolex brother. Because they passed all there very demanding tests.The Tudor range IMHO are rightfully part of the Rolex line up and history in the RWC
The New Rolex Tudor Heritage Chrono with the ETA 2892 and the Dubois-dépraz module.
Lets not forget most of your ETA movements come in 5 grades its the top grade that Rolex will uses in all of the Tudor line, and that will be a lot more expensive than the standard ETA range.Now I would agree it takes a real watchmaker to service any watch with the Dubois-dépraz module.My watchmaker friend stated he had only seen one with a problem and he has serviced quite a few.Now In the module it self all the main wheels are well over engineered and at least five times thicker and stronger than in most normal movements, plus all pushers, heart cams, and pivots are well over engineered. And the module finish work on all internal parts are too a very high standard.IMHO even the polishing of heart cam sides for hammer function is exceptional to a very high standard of finish IMHO is better than Rolex own movement finish.
IMHO if they are properly serviced these modules will last a lifetime of usage.Don't assume all chrono modules are equal,now these modules are quite expensive,and should be service with watchmakers who has the credentials and tools to service them.IMHO you are looking at an well over engineered Formula one car engine module for the wristwatch. But if a say local watchmaker takes your module apart and damages a part, he will have trouble getting it from the manufacturer.These Dubois-dépraz module need precise oiling,plus wheel height and jewel adjustments.Plus the end shake of wheel adjustments and of course the driving wheel seating position from the base 2892 calibre gear must mesh to the module properly, and this is a very tedious task.This is why they have a bad name in the watch service industry not because they are a bad chrono module. Its because they need proper care and service with the correct oils and greece etc.IMHO its a fine chrono module with the excellent ETA 2892 and cannot see any reason with proper service to last a life time and beyond, myself would have no problem buying one.And I would not think that Rolex would have put this combination, into any Rolex Tudor watch if they thought it would ever be a problem movement.
Vintage Tudor Monte Carlo Chronograph ref 7159.
The Tudor line prior to around 1990 was all Rolex except for movement,and the only step down in quality is the price.Then the main difference Tudor used a top range Chronometer grade ETA or Valjoux a first class all in-house built movements, in watches like the Tudor Prince they used a light Oyster on Subs they used the heavy Oyster bracelet.Now today the Tudor line has quite a heritage with Hans Wilsdorf the founder of Rolex.
In todays market quite a few vintage Tudor watches command higher prices than there Rolex brothers.The Tudor line are still made in the same now highly automated factory as Rolex.While now would agree the Aeronaut,Hydronaut range are not quite as good as the Oyster cased ones but its still very very close.Tudor are still a very important part of the Rolex history,and quite a few countries chose the Tudor Subs for military use instead of its Rolex brother. Because they passed all there very demanding tests.The Tudor range IMHO are rightfully part of the Rolex line up and history in the RWC
The New Rolex Tudor Heritage Chrono with the ETA 2892 and the Dubois-dépraz module.
Lets not forget most of your ETA movements come in 5 grades its the top grade that Rolex will uses in all of the Tudor line, and that will be a lot more expensive than the standard ETA range.Now I would agree it takes a real watchmaker to service any watch with the Dubois-dépraz module.My watchmaker friend stated he had only seen one with a problem and he has serviced quite a few.Now In the module it self all the main wheels are well over engineered and at least five times thicker and stronger than in most normal movements, plus all pushers, heart cams, and pivots are well over engineered. And the module finish work on all internal parts are too a very high standard.IMHO even the polishing of heart cam sides for hammer function is exceptional to a very high standard of finish IMHO is better than Rolex own movement finish.
IMHO if they are properly serviced these modules will last a lifetime of usage.Don't assume all chrono modules are equal,now these modules are quite expensive,and should be service with watchmakers who has the credentials and tools to service them.IMHO you are looking at an well over engineered Formula one car engine module for the wristwatch. But if a say local watchmaker takes your module apart and damages a part, he will have trouble getting it from the manufacturer.These Dubois-dépraz module need precise oiling,plus wheel height and jewel adjustments.Plus the end shake of wheel adjustments and of course the driving wheel seating position from the base 2892 calibre gear must mesh to the module properly, and this is a very tedious task.This is why they have a bad name in the watch service industry not because they are a bad chrono module. Its because they need proper care and service with the correct oils and greece etc.IMHO its a fine chrono module with the excellent ETA 2892 and cannot see any reason with proper service to last a life time and beyond, myself would have no problem buying one.And I would not think that Rolex would have put this combination, into any Rolex Tudor watch if they thought it would ever be a problem movement.
Vintage Tudor Monte Carlo Chronograph ref 7159.
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