Everything
This timepiece represents a return of the royal to the family, and although it’s classified as a sports watch, it is perfectly suitable as a dress watch. The Tudor Royal rolls out in four different sizes: the 41mm Day-Date, as well as the 38mm, the 34mm, and the 28mm time-and-date versions. In all cases, the Royal line uses self-winding movements from ETA or Sellita.
The elements of the Royal design that stand out most are its crenelated bezel (with an alternating fluted and polished finish) and its integrated bracelet. Both are original designs, and they seem to gesture toward Rolex’s famous fluted bezel and the integrated bracelets seen on Rolex Oysterquartz models. This lends a distinct retro-revival vibe to the watch that makes sense given its steel base material and the use of an integrated bracelet.
The tangible qualities of the bracelet are apparent. It is sturdy – even the narrow centre links are solid. And it is fitted to a single-fold clasp that’s almost identical in function to the clasp found on the Black Bay.
The 41mm version Royal is a big watch, but not as large as it seems. Since the bracelet is integrated, the lugs are non-existent, giving the case a smaller circumference. The case itself is also notably slim, measuring 10.6mm high, in part due to the case back being nearly level – the Oyster back is almost flush with the case – allowing it to sit perfectly flat on the wrist.
Both the bezel and the case back are screw down – the rim of the back is finely fluted for that purpose – but the case middle is slim with well-defined lines. Though the form of the case is simple, all of its lines are neat and sharp. The edge between the top surface and the plane that connects to the bracelet is gently arched, albeit reassuringly precise.
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TUDOR ROYAL 41MM STEEL CASE WATCH WITH BLUE DIAL, $3,150, SHOP NOW
Words: Marne Schwartz
