Do Tudor Watches Hold Their Value? (Read BEFORE You Buy!)

My list will be endless if I begin to mention the number of items that lose their value immediately after they are bought. From a set of blinds to an expensive ride, these items are capable of diminishing in value faster than you think. It’s a normal phenomenon. Some pricey items just don’t hold as much value as when they were initially bought.

But is it the same for Tudor Watches?

As a watch enthusiast, my preference is set on high-end timepieces that scream luxury and can be potential investments. But the truth is that after a certain period, some of these wristwatches lose their money’s worth, or it might take an exceedingly long time for me to gain profits on my watches as an investor. 

In determining whether a watch would retain or lose its value, everything boils down to the rate of supply and demand of the particular watch model. Brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe would rarely lose their value because the very high market demand is at play. However, the same cannot be said for Tudor watches in all cases, as its value retention varies for different models.

About Tudor Watches

The Tudor brand is popularly known for its luxurious feel and is loved by watch enthusiasts across the world. The watches are known to feature top functionality, excellent craftsmanship, and also great quality. I would not expect anything less since Tudor was created by the best-known luxury watchmaker and father of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf.

In 1926, a Swiss watchmaker known as Veuve de Philippe Hüther came up with the name “The Tudor”. That same year, Hans Wilsdorf purchased the exclusive rights to the name, and it allowed him to develop the brand from that point. 

The first set of Tudor-signed watches was released in 1932 and was sent to the Australian market. They featured rectangular-shaped faces, and some also had the Rolex name on the dial alongside the Tudor signature. After World War II, Hans created Tudor’s manufacturing company called the “Montres TUDOR S.A.” in 1946.

Thereafter, Tudor became a sister company to Rolex and has always benefited from its relationship with Rolex. Hans decided to create a luxurious but equally affordable wristwatch for people in the military and professional divers. So, between the early 1960s to 1980s, the watchmaker sold Tudor watches to military agencies, including the French Marine Nationale and the US Navy, who began issuing Tudor watches like the Submariners to their divers. 

These timepieces include the brand’s first-ever Rolex-influenced  “Oyster collection”, which features a waterproof Oyster case. Over time, Tudor introduced other features like the “Big Crown” and “Snowflake hands” into the Submariner watch line.

Various watch enthusiasts are in awe of Tudor watches due to their quality and luxurious delivery. On top of this, the timepieces are also affordable. I mean, a Rolex can feature intricate designs and bear lots of unique characteristics, no doubt. But I know that a luxurious Rolex watch will cost me a lot of money. 

On the other hand, Tudor watches tick off the luxurious box, the quality box, and the inexpensive box also. I choose to buy a Tudor watch because I will be getting the full package and, at the same time, without breaking the bank. Watch lovers don’t call it the “Budget Rolex” for nothing.

Hence, the main reason why watch collectors would buy a Tudor timepiece is that they would be getting the same “Rolex effect” at an economical price. This, of course, has made owning an opulent watch much easier. 

If I want to purchase one, I can own a Black Bay 54 that retails around $3,850 on the market. This water-resistant and modern iteration of the Tudor Submariner boasts a quality stainless steel body, a polished satin accent, and a light feel to it, alongside many more features.

What Makes Luxury Watches Hold Their Value?

At first glance, I would think of purchasing an affluent watch that only catches my fancy. But on second thought, I cannot help but also factor in whether the timepiece can be a source of investment for me also. I mean, in the end, it will be a win-win, right?

However, when I buy wristwatches solely because I admire them, it would lessen my pain by the time I want to sell them, and I realize that they have lost their worth after using them for years. The truth is, not all watches retain their money’s worth after a long period which can be disappointing.

But some still do, and if I purchase them, I will gain either the same value or a slightly higher profit. It is a given that some watches hold their value better than others due to varying quality, prices, supply, and demand. Although no one can accurately predict the future prices of things, there are a few things to consider when buying a luxurious watch that might hold its estimated worth for years to come.

Brand Heritage

If a watch’s worth is mostly determined by how trendy it is and how it is mostly requested by consumers, then it is highly advantageous to start by purchasing fashionable and most sought-after brands. What I mean by this is buying wristwatches from brands that have consistently been preferred over time as opposed to those that are trending at the moment.

Brands like this include Rolex, which is no doubt the King of all timepieces. Rolex has existed since time immemorial and is popularly known both in and out of the watch industry, especially for its fancy timepieces. I am certain that if I approach a random person who knows nothing about watches to mention a watch brand, they will definitely mention Rolex. This shows how widely-known the brand is.

Now, the fact that Rolex has built a name for itself in the market is mainly what helps the brand to make more sales. I highly doubt that you would find a lot of Rolex models that have lost their economic worth- that’s if you would even find any. Similarly, watch brands like Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are popularly known brands that also retain most, if not all, of their original market price. 

I know for a fact that these two brands are the go-to watch investments for most people. Other older brands created over a hundred years ago, like Jaeger-LeCoultre, OMEGA, and IWC, among many others, have all built trust with customers.

Hence, I would not think twice before buying a wristwatch that was created by these brands. In essence, a brand’s heritage determines the possibility of a watch’s value retainment. So, the longer a brand has existed, the more likelihood that the worth of its timepieces will not diminish.

Iconic Watch Designs

In my opinion, a classy watch is mostly determined by how intricate and iconic its designs are. For various watch enthusiasts, unique designs, artistry, and out-of-the-world skillfulness featured on a timepiece are among the things that determine the value of such a piece.

Personally, I like spontaneity and never-before-seen wristwatches because such pieces elude more opulence. These pieces are usually rare, which makes them worth so much more. Hence, watches that are unique in their designs and very rare are known to hold their value retention well enough.

In fact, they can even increase in value as the years pass. Examples are watches that feature dial colors not normally inculcated in the watch by the watchmaker and bear designs that are only peculiar to the timepieces. A Vianney Halter Deep Space Tourbillon is a perfect example of a piece with an uncommon but beautiful design that will forever be valuable.

Material

Another thing to consider is the material from which a watch was made. A watch that is created from quality materials or worthy precious metals, like pure gold or platinum, will be valuable in the watch industry and also outside the industry.

I know for a fact that gold will always be worth a lot. So, if I buy a Yellow gold Rolex Daytona, I can rest assured that I will get my money’s worth once I sell it because of the gold material it is made of. 

Also, a timepiece made out of materials that are trending at the time it is about to be sold will be deemed valuable. The material will still be considered fashionable and will attract a lot of potential customers. Therefore, I can make a profit from selling such a timepiece.

Availability

When I hear the word limited edition, the watch that comes to mind is the Vacheron Constantin Chronometer Royal timepiece. This watch is notorious for being one of the least common, perhaps even the most-uncommon watch the world has ever known. Due to its rarity, such watches will never diminish in value.

The fact is that there are quite a few watches that are so rare that no one knows how many of them were produced. In this case, the Vacheron has only been seen once during an auction and is a highly limited edition. 

Another is the Cartier Crash watch, of which only four pieces in total have been manufactured. Its unique design, which features a look similar to a cloth worn by historic desert travelers, makes it stand out. Watches like these are definitely going to always increase in value and will never diminish.

Do Tudor Watches Hold Their Value?

Generally, Tudor watches are not known to have very high value retention. This is because, in the first place, they are not very pricey. However, some Tudor models have proven to be valuable even after purchase. 

An example is the Heritage Black Bay wristwatch line. This piece is one of Tudor’s most sought-after models, and it has been doing pretty great as regards value retention. The collection has seen various models over the years, which have all been recognized as highly valuable. 

Models under the Heritage Black Bay line, including the Black Bay 58, the standard Black Bay, and the Black Bay GMT watches, are notable pieces that have been a success when it comes to being worthy after a while. 

The demand for the Black Bay 58, which costs around $3,700, is very high. This is most likely due to its features that entail a vintage-inspired dive watch design, great proportions, and excellent specifications. As a timepiece that is highly requested, its value will at least not decrease as time passes.

It is the same with the GMT, which has also proven that, over time, it still holds value. Personally, I would not buy a Tudor watch as an investment because the possibility of the watch retaining its value over time is not certain. Rather, I would purchase them due to their awesome features and designs.

Most times, Tudor watches have been known to decrease in value by 50% and sometimes 60% immediately after they have been bought. The models I described above will retain their value. But those are just a few of the number of watches the brand has produced. For a higher investment, I would not advise that Tudor watches should be an option- not in this world.

It is, however, important to note that compared to other Tudor watch models, no watch has ever been worthy over time like the Pelagos. This model is also popular among watch enthusiasts due to its classy appearance, the quality of materials used in creating it, and its durability. Now, this watch ticks off more of the boxes than other Tudor models when it comes to the qualifications a watch must meet to gain the ability to retain its value.

Its attractive features speak for it and have given it easy access to being recognized as the best diver’s watch that the brand offers. Due to this, its status on the market will also increase. This gives the Pelagos an edge over other Tudor models in being eligible for potential investments. Therefore, compared to other Tudor watch models, the Tudor Pelagos has been recognized as a watch model that still holds its value after purchase.

Do Tudor Watches Appreciate In Value?

The fact that a Black Bay 58 holds value after some time does not mean that it is automatically a great form of investment. It is just like an expensive car. The moment I step out of an automobile shop with my brand-new ride, its value will significantly drop afterward.

While this may not be the case with all luxury watches, as some of them appreciate in value over time, Tudor watches just don’t fit into this description.

If I am looking to buy a watch that remains valuable for years to come and also appreciates in value, I’d not go for a Tudor watch. Of course, its sister company is Rolex, a brand that is known to always have value retention and also appreciates in value. 

But take it from me when I say that when it comes to value appreciation, these two brands are two opposite sides of a coin. A Rolex watch makes for a great investment, but a Tudor watch doesn’t. Unlike Rolex or Patek Philippe timepieces that produce limited editions, Tudor watches are mass-produced and always available at the Tudor stores.

But it does not mean that I would not be able to resell my Tudor watch. Looking at its top-notch quality, which is a given since it is related to Rolex, anyone would want to buy an affordable wristwatch that also bears the same high-end features that Rolex has.

Well, I know I would. In that regard, a Tudor watch can be a good investment because I will be able to sell it for a significant price, even though it may not be the exact amount I got it, nor will it be higher.

What About Vintage Tudor Watches?

As I have previously emphasized, Tudor watches have existed for quite some time. Since its initiation, it has produced an array of different lavish timepieces, some of which are now vintage. The demand for vintage Tudor watches has increased over time which is not surprising.

This is because their value has doubled, and they have also proven to be highly durable. Some of these vintage Tudor models that are now in high demand include the oldest Chronograph models, the Tudor Submariner References, the Tiger model, the Oyster Prince series, and the Big Block, amongst many others.

Many watch collectors have aimed to grab these vintage pieces whenever they find them because they are becoming harder to find, especially in good shape. What baffles me the most is why a watch with a manual winding movement holds as much value as up to double its original price.

But I remember that these vintage timepieces were very common amongst people in the military due to their waterproof features. Its strap was also suggested and supplied by the military back when Hans Wilsdorf began to create Tudor watches.

Hence, a Tudor Submariner Marine Nationale has notably doubled in value and is one of the most purchased Tudor vintage watches. The Marine Nationale, which has the initials “M.N” at the back of its case, goes hot at $22,000.

Another expensive vintage Tudor timepiece can also be the Oyster Prince series, especially the Oysterdate. This model was among the first ever Tudor watches to be released and is quite similar to the “Datejust” watch by Rolex. When I think of a simple yet elegant timepiece, the Oysterdate comes to mind because of its classic design and historical beauty. Tudor vintage pieces are the real definition of the phrase “old but gold.”

Conclusion

While it is safe to say that Tudor watches can be classified as classic, exceptional, and luxurious timepieces, the sad truth is that some of its products just might not retain their value for a long time. I would purchase a Tudor watch for its affluent look, for the “Rolex effect” which it gives, and for its other amazing features.

But I would not set my mind towards gaining double the price at which I purchased it or expect a value appreciation over the years. Overall, Tudor watches are great luxury-wise but just might not be my go-to brand for investment.