If you know, you know. A luxury watch is one of the flyest, most expressive pieces a person can wear. When those who know what’s up spot a well-designed timepiece sitting on your wrist, it’s like a password to a secret club, where people with a passion for automatic movements and Swiss craftsmanship can kick it and enjoy the finer points of style and life. And for those who do indeed know what is up, no watchmaker is more revered than Tudor. With almost 100 years of experience and a history of creating rugged, functional tool watches for pro divers, brash explorers, and elite military teams, the Geneva-based horologer has also pioneered instantly recognizable, highly functional design motifs like its hallmark “Snowflake” hands and first-of-their-kind Jacquard fabric bracelets, as well as beautiful material treatments for its cases, and elegantly domed dials.
But, when one watchmaker offers so much heat, it can be hard to know exactly what wrist wear to rock for different occasions. So with Complex readers living rich lives full of adventure and different scenarios that all require top flight style, we thought we’d help, selecting some of our favorite Tudor watches, explaining where they work best and what to rock them with. Read on and learn. It’s time to step up your style game now.
The Watch: Tudor Ranger
Shop Now: $2,725 to $3,050
The Activity: Rugged outdoor adventure activities like mountaineering, ice climbing, or backpacking & camping
Wear It With: Technical shell jackets, fleece, performance merino wool, trail runners or hiking boots, BDUs or field jackets & anything else that’s built to brave the elements
Tudor has a deep history of making watches for outdoor adventure. And no watch represents that better than the Ranger. Inspired by the 70th anniversary for the British North Greenland Expedition, where the team wore Tudors, this Ranger tool watch is the epitome of functional style. Its brushed steel case and fixed bezel are as rugged as they come, while its Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions are easy to read and beautifully bold. Even better, it boasts Ranger hallmark arrow-shaped hands with the second hand tipped in burgundy. Though this Ranger can be outfitted with a number of different bracelets, Complex is partial to the olive green Jacquard with a red and beige stripe. It’s comfortable, functional, and unique. Rock this watch anytime you’re doing something outdoors, like mountaineering, ice climbing, backpacking, or camping. It looks great with other rugged, functional gear like technical hard shells, hiking boots or trail runners, and fleece. Take our advice, and you’ll be the most stylish person on the trail.
The Specs:
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39mm satin-brushed case in 316L steel with matching fixed bezel
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Domed dial in matte black housing Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminescent material hour markers
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Super-LumiNova® “Ranger” hands
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Manufacture Calibre MT5402 with a “weekend-proof” 70-hour power reserve
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Multiple bracelet possibilities, but Complex loves the olive green Jacquard with red & beige accents
The Watch: Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G
Shop Now: $4,300 to $5,550
The Activity: Formal events & cocktail parties
Wear It With: A tuxedo or white dinner jacket
Yes, Tudor is known for its action-ready tool watches, but don’t let its robust, functional reputation fool you. The company also makes many elegant timepieces that are perfect for formal events like cocktail parties, awards shows, movie premiers, and evening weddings. Case in point, the Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G, an update to the model that comes in a glittering steel and gold construction with rich brown accents. That combination of colors and materials makes the Black Bay GMT S&G a perfect choice to pair with a tuxedo or white dinner jacket, adding a hint of color and shine to any formal outfit. Bonus points if you’re rocking gold tux shirt studs that match the watch’s detailing. Of course, this watch wouldn’t be a Tudor if it wasn’t highly functional as well. Thanks to a sophisticated complication, the Black Bay GMT S&G also features multiple time zones, making it possible to keep track of local time and two other time zones simultaneously. Iconic “Snowflake” hands round out the package, making Tudor’s Black Bay GMT S&G your go-to choice for everything formal.
The Specs:
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41mm satin-brushed & polished case in 316L stainless steel & yellow gold
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Bidirectional rotating bezel in yellow gold inset with black & brown anodised aluminium
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Iconic “Snowflake” hands highlighted with Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminescent material
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Matte black, domed dial
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Manufacture Calibre MT5652 with a “weekend-proof” 70-hour power reserve
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Bracelet options galore, including black Jacquard fabric, broken-in brown leather, or Complex choice riveted 316L steel with yellow gold
The Watch: Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925
Shop Now: $4,400
The Activity: Garden Parties, summer weddings or semi-formal events
Wear It With: A blue blazer or boating jacket, a light merino turtleneck, a summer suit, or luxury swimwear
The Black Bay Fifty-Eight is one of Tudor’s most beloved models. Now, the watchmaker is taking that look, and bumping things up a notch, offering it in silver with an open case back—two firsts for one of its dive watches—as the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925. This new watch also houses Tudor’s iconic “Snowflake” hands, as well as a taupe dial and bezel, creating a subtle, earthy look that strikes a lovely balance with its satin finish silver case and open, incandescent back. That all makes the Black Bay Fifty-Eight a crucial watch to rock at semi-formal events like summer weddings or high-end pool parties. Pair it with classic gear like a blue blazer or boating jacket or even luxe swim gear to create a look that’s equal parts elegance and ease.
The Specs:
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39mm satin finish 925 silver case with an incandescent & open back
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Matte frosted taupe domed dial with applied hour markers
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Tudor hallmark “Snowflake” hands with grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminescent material
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Manufacture Calibre MT5400 with “weekend-proof” 70-hour power reserve
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Dope bracelet options, including brown grain leather or taupe Jacquard textile with silver band
The Watch: Tudor Black Bay Chrono
Shop Now: $5,000 to $5,325
The Activity: Motorsports, races, or motorcycle rides (& everything after)
Wear It With: A leather jacket & selvedge denim
Tudor traces its involvement with motorsports back to the 1970 when it released its first chronograph watch, the Oysterdate, to industry acclaim. Now, the watchmaker is honoring that 50 year legacy, with the release of the Black Bay Chrono. In a stainless steel case and dial options in either black or opaline with contrasting subcounters, this watch is a lovely chronograph that’s dripping with style. Wear it when you’re driving your car on the track or simply out for a motorcycle ride through the city or the hills. With its rugged construction and elegant, functional design, this watch looks great with leather, denim, and boots, but is versatile enough to wear with almost anything. As always with Tudor, you can choose your own bracelet, but Complex is partial to the big, bold aged, black leather cuff.
The Specs:
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41mm polished, satin-brushed case in 316L stainless steel with a fixed bezel & anodised black aluminium tachymetric scale insert
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Domed matt black dial, or opaline, with contrast circular sub-counters
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Luminescent “Snowflake” hands you won’t find on anywhere else
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Manufacture Chronograph Calibre MT581 with a “weekend-proof” 70-hour power reserve
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Choose-your-own bracelet options, including riveted steel, black Jacquard fabric, or our pick: a black, aged leather cuff
The Watch: Tudor Black Bay Pro
Shop Now: $3,675 to $4,000
The Activity: Skiing, snowboarding & après-ski
Wear It With: Ski or snowboard gear, as well as fine sport sweaters or technical fleeces
The Black Bay Pro is one Tudor’s newest models. Boasting an entirely novel design, this watch includes a dual time zone feature, an intricate complication that keeps local time while keeping track of another time zone simultaneously. It’s also seriously stylish, and ruggedly functional, making it Complex’s choice for skiing, snowboarding, and après-ski activities. Wear this with sporty sweaters, outdoorsy fleeces and luxury ski gear to create an athletic look that can handle anything you, or the mountain, throws at it. To keep the sporty look, Complex suggests you rock it with the black Jacquard strap bearing a blazing yellow sports stripe down the middle. Simply dope.
The Specs:
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39mm case in satin-brushed, polished stainless steel with a 24-hour graduated fixed bezel
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Matte black domed dial with monobloc luminous ceramic hour markers
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World-famous Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova® “Snowflake” hands, a hallmark of Tudor dive watches since 1969
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Manufacture Calibre MT5652 with a “weekend-proof” 70-hour power reserve
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Three bracelets to choose from: black Jacquard fabric, hybrid rubber & leather or Complex’s favorite riveted 316L steel with TUDOR “T-fit” clasp with rapid adjustment
The Watch: Tudor Pelagos 39
Shop Now: $4,400
The Activity: Diving, Sailing & Fishing
Wear It With: Deck shoes, elevated prep sailing gear, or a wetsuit
Tudor’s range of mechanical dive watches are world famous and highly valued by pros and collectors alike. The new Pelagos 39 model fits right into that tradition, bearing a Grade 2 titanium, luminescent ceramic composite monobloc hour marker and bracelet extension option designed to fit over a wetsuit. That means it’s as at home in the water as it is in the city, making it the best choice for sailing, fishing, and diving or for enjoying a fine dinner or drink. Rock your Pelagos 39 with your preppiest sailing gear or even a wetsuit for going down deep. Either way, it’ll look fire even when it’s wet.
The Specs:
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39mm satin-brushed Grade 2 titanium case with a unidirectional rotating bezel & sunray satin finish ceramic insert boasting Grade X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminous material
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Black dial with a sunray satin finish & luminescent ceramic composite monobloc applied hour markers
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X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminescent “Snowflake” hands
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Manufacture Calibre MT5400 with a “weekend-proof” 70-hour power reserve
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Grade 2 titanium bracelet with Tudor “T-fit” clasp with rapid adjustment capabilities & diver’s extension, as well as a complimentary black rubber strap with Grade 2 titanium buckle included in the box
The Watch: Tudor Black Bay Ceramic
Shop Now: $4,825
The Activity: Anything & Everything Life Throws at You
Wear It With: A high-end sweatsuit & your dopest black sneakers or anything that strikes your fancy
It’s lovely to have a watch for every occasion, but sometimes you just don’t know what life will throw your way. It could be an epic night out in the city after work. It could be a quiet getaway dedicated to creative pursuits. Or it could be a surprise business meeting where you need to look your best no matter what industry you work in. Enter the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic. In a unique matte black ceramic case, this timepieces boasts a high-tech look, balanced out by classic Tudor elements like “Snowflake” hands. Even better, it’s versatile, meaning it will help you look your best no matter what you’re doing.
The Specs:
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41mm matte black ceramic case
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Matte black domed dial with applied hour markers
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Instantly identifiable “Snowflake” hands with Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova luminescent material
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Manufacture Calibre MT5602-1U with “weekend-proof” 70-hour power reserve
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Folding-clasp black hybrid leather & rubber strap bearing a “Snowflake” motif on its inside, plus a complimentary black fabric strap with a cream band