Cameron Barr: Diving With Tudor Pelagos 39

Cameron Barr
Diving With Tudor Pelagos 39

Hot Fun In The Summertime: Bernhard's Tudor Heritage

Hot Fun In The Summertime

Bernhard's Tudor Heritage Chronograph

Spring is here and summer is around the corner in the Northern Hemisphere, and below we see a cool beach wrist shot of the Tudor Chronograph which is arguably represents the first Tudor model that relaunched the Tudor brand, and set the benchmark for the retro-future of the brand...BTW: I LOVE the design of this Tudor model, and think it's really cool...

Tudor Black Bay Chrono Pink Dial

Tudor 

Black Bay Chrono

"Barbie" Pink Dial

Tudor surprised everybody by introducing this magnificently beautiful new Tudor Black Bay Chronograph with a gorgeous "Barbie" pink dial. I am so impressed with this new model, I am giving it the Editors' Choice Award for BEST OF SHOW at Watches and Wonders 2024.

Tudor does not formally refer to this color as being "Barbie" pink, and I admit that I have not seen the recently released Barbie movie, but I am nicknaming this watch "The Barbie Tudor Chronograph" as it sure looks Barbie-like to me.

Pretty In Pink

David Beckham

Legendary Soccer Superstar and Tudor Brand Ambassador is pictured below rocking the all-new Tudor Black Bay Chronograph with a pink dial, and it looks super RAD!!!!! Speaking of "Barbie" pink, as a society many people believe that pink is only a feminine color, and that it's not for men, but I would argue the opposite, in the sense that pink can look great on men, particularly as an accent color. There is something REALLY FRESH looking about the color pink...

Cameron Barr from Craft and Tailored took the photo below at the Tudor Pavilion at Watches and Wonders 2024, in Geneva Switzerland. This is probably the single most interesting novelty launched by Rolex and Tudor this past week.

1957 Tudor Watch Ad

1957 Tudor Watch Ad

from Casual to Formal

Hodinkee Tour The New Tudor Factory Le Locle, Switzerland

HODINKEE TOURS

NEW TUDOR FACTORY 

Le Locle, Switzerland

Hodinkee's James Stacey published an article today on a tour he took of Tudor's brand new factory located in Le Locle! James' story is extremely immersive and filled with many fascinating details, and I HIGHLY recommend checking it out!!!

 

TUDOR NOVELITIES The Watches & Wonders 2023

 

TUDOR NOVELITIES 

The Watches & Wonders

2023

Since we are on the subject of Tudor's new factory, I can't think of anybody better to take a take us on a tour than Adrian Barker from Bark and Jack as seen below in his great videos:

TUDOR VANILLA PEPSI COMES TO LIFE AT WATCHES AND WONDERS 2023

JAKE'S TUDOR TAKE

TUDOR VANILLA PEPSI

REALITY IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

In the wonderful world of Rolex, not much is cooler than The Complete History of the Rolex GMT-Master!!! TUDOR is on a tear lately and at Watches And Wonders last week surprised everybody when they introduced a new Pepsi Tudor GMT-Master model with a white opaline dial. Our Captain Danny was especially surprised as he contacted Tudor 4 years ago and begged them to come out with a Tudor GMT-Master with a white dial, to which Tudor responded "No Way, Jose!"

UPDATE April 8, 2023: Captain Danny sent me a message and said: "Great story about the Vanilla Pepsi. BTW here’s the Delta mockup I had sent to Tudor. As you can see, the watch matches perfectly a Delta jet livery."

The Vanilla Pepsi in not a new idea, and I originally showcased the idea on RolexMagazine 15 years ago in 2008 in a story titled 'Jake's Cherry Vanilla GMT Design Idea...'. In that article I showed off my idea of a watch design I would love to see, that I dubbed the Cherry Vanilla GMT as seen below.

In 2008, I  also showcased an idea I dubbed the Oreo Cookie, which is pictured below. Percy from the German R-L-X forum made this watch by putting an all black GMT-Master bezel insert on a Polar white dial Explorer II. So basically, this would be the result if a Polar Explorer had a baby with an all black bezel GMT-Master!!!

I begged Rolex to bring such a model to life and still think they should!!!!! Why? For many reasons. First and foremost, people LOVE Rolex spinning bezels, and play with them like fidget widgets not to mention, it just looks so cool! Rolex if you are listening, PLEASE make an Oreo Cookie GMT model!!!

This article would not be replete without my customary video response message which comes courtesy of Van Halen!!!!:

Also, Percy put a Pepsi Bezel on his Explorer II and thus created what I dubbed and showcased in my 2008 article as the Vanilla Pepsi. But where did this color combination idea come from?

It turns out Rolex once made a Vanilla Pepsi, kind-of, sort of...The apocryphal story put forth at the time said "When Rolex introduced the GMT-Master in 1955, they produced it with standard black dials and Pan Am Airlines gave them to all their pilots to wear. The executive at Pan Am were jealous, so they ordered white dial models which were exclusively made for Pan Am executives only."

It turns out that story is a falsely perpetuated myth which I dispel in great detail in my upcoming series of books on Rolex history. 

So how do you explain the 100% authentic Rolex GMT-Master from the later 1950s with a white dial? This model was NEVER sold by Rolex nor made available to the public.

It turns out it was an early prototype, as it used to be been fairly standard for Rolex to make early pre-production prototypes with white dials. The interesting point is so many people originally believed the false narrative that was created by auction houses who wanted to see higher auction results, and people just grew to want such a model, and last week Tudor, which is owned by Rolex made many collectors dreams come true with the introduction of this new model.

This new model comes in a 41MM case and the best news is it retails for only $4300, which is not only much cheaper than an equivalent Rolex, not to mention that Rolex doesn't even offer a bold model like this!!! Hopefully Rolex will be able to keep up with demand for this beauty!

Vintage Tudor Submariner Porche Ad

Japanese Tudor Submariner

1968 Porche 906 Ad

My amazing researcher Alan from Hong Kong just surprised me when he sent in this amazing Japanese Tudor Submariner ad that features a Porsche 906. Very Cool!!! Ironically, the Porsche 906 was designed by Ferdinand Piëch, who was the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche.

The photo below is from 1969 and shows Japanese racecar driver Tomohiko Tsutsumi who was a member of the Tudor Watch Racing Team, and notice he is rocking a Tudor Submariner in this photo.

The box below is from 1968 and features the same Porsche 906. If you look carefully you will notice on the front hood of the car there is a 'ROLEX' logo just below the steering wheel, as well as a 'TUDOR' logo at the front of the hood. 

This next image below shows Tomohiko Tsutsumi is the same Tudor branded car in 1969 and notice the Rolex logo has been removed from the front hood of the car.

Lady Gaga and David Beckham

Lady Gaga 

and


David Beckham 

Talk Tudor in Los Angeles

Tudor recently released this interesting video that features Tudor brand Ambassadors, Lady Gaga and David Beckham talking about their lives.

Green is Rolex's primary color in their logo, and I could not help but notice that both Lady Gaga and David Beckham both have green eyes!?!! This is so rare, as only green eyes are really rare. As a matter of fact, only 2% of the human population has green eyes...

The video interview between Lady Gaga and David Beckham was filmed in the famous Sheats-Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles, which is know for its fascinating modern architecture and views as seen below in the photo from NPR's Jeff Green.

I am not only a designer, but a design fanatic of the highest order, which is why I have always loved Rolex so much. I am also a huge fan of Architecture, and publish Jake's Architecture World. I have been meaning to do story on the Sheats-Goldstein house which was designed by John Lautner, who in the mid-1930s was an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, so here are some great videos that offer a superb topographical understanding of this amazing piece of residential property with crazy view of the Los Angeles basin.
<>/center>

Tudor Introduction IRONIC ICONIC TUDOR PO1

Baselworld 2019 

Tudor Introduction

IRONIC ICONIC

TUDOR PO1

The Curious Case of the New Black Bay Model

The 2019 introduction of the Tudor Black Bay PO1 watch is the most unusually polarizing and controversial Baselworld introduction by Tudor I ever recall witnessing. In case you were not aware, the Tudor watch brand is owned by Rolex. My team and I, including Jose, who is the best horological forensics investigator I am aware of have been doing deep research into the backstory and history of this model, and every time I think it's ready to publish, we seem to wander and stumble into even more crazy insight. We are going to keep researching this fascinating story and publish it when we feel our research and findings are complete. I still have a lot more Baselworld observations I will be publishing soon!

Do you want to know a secret? 

Do you promise not to tell?

Tudor Watch Designer The Hodinkee Interview

...Tudor Coolness...
Tudor Watch Designer
Ander Ugarte
The Hodinkee Interview

Tudor Is Back In Black

Back In Black

The Tudor watch company was founded by Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf back in 1946, and has been making watches ever since. The Tudor concept from the beginning was to make less expensive watches that were in many ways like a Rolex. Several years ago, Tudor changed gears and kind of reinvented itself to make watches that were largely inspired by their vintage watches. In other words, making watches that featured many retro Tudor design details. One of the most popular Tudor models today is the Tudor Black Bay, which is what we are taking a look at in this story.

Tudor Black Bay Bronze

One of A Kind

Sold for $355,000 At Only Watch 2017

The unique left-handed Tudor Black Bay Bronze One pictured below sold at the Only Watch Charity auction for $355,000 back in May of 2017. This set an all-time record for the price of a Tudor Watch at auction.

Tudor seems to have become a hotbed of experimentation for Rolex. Tudor has been doing all kind of things that seem very unRolexy, like offering special Tudor models exclusive to certain retailers. For instance, Revolution just ran a story on Harrods world-famous department store in London will be carrying a special Tudor Black Bay model that features Harrods trademark green color on the bezel, as seen in the two photos below. 

This special edition Tudor Black Back reminds me of the original LV Submariner, but with a gilt dial and matching gold hands. This watch is also offered with a retro riveted Rolex Oyster style bracelet as seen below.

Speaking of Tudor and Limited Special Editions, Tudor made their first special edition for Bucherer, which is a very successful Rolex and Tudor authorized dealer in Switzerland. This model is referred to as The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze Blue, which looks really cool. 

Midnight Blue Tudor Heritage Black Bay

41MM Reference 79220B

Tudor is very popular in Hollywood with many famous actors, and in the photo below we see Will Smith wearing a Tudor Midnight Blue Black Bay.

Tudor Heritage

Black Bay Bronze

Brad Pitt is a huge fan of Rolex and wears many different models. Brad Pitt is pictured below in a photo from the 2017 GQ Style Summer issue, and he is wearing a Bronze Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze watch, which is very cool. This great photo of Brad Pitt is from a GQ Style story named: "Brad Pitt Talks Divorce, Quitting Drinking, and Becoming a Better Man."

Tudor is owned by Rolex, and the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze Brad Pitt is wearing in the photo above is pictured below. This watch is very cool and has an updated size of 43MM. Brad is also wearing it on the standard Tudor aged leather strap, which gives it an awesome vintage look. Tudor watches are much less expensive that Rolex watches, and this model retails for only $3,975.
Tom Cruise can be seen in the photo below wearing a Tudor Heritage Chronograph, which is a different model altogether from the Black Bay, but I thought I would include it as it looks very cool. 

Lady Gaga Born To Dare Video

Lady Gaga
Born To Dare Video
Tudor watch company, which is owned by Rolex, just introduced a new Lady Gaga video, which will make you smile...

“ I did not get where I am today by being safe “ @ladygaga #BornToDare #ladygaga #BlackBay #TudorWatch

A post shared by TUDOR Watch OFFICIAL (@tudorwatch) on Oct 28, 2017 at 7:06am PDT

Lady Gaga Becomes Tudor Ambassador

Tudor Hotness

Lady Gaga

Becomes Tudor Ambassador

Now there is a term I never thought I would write, "Tudor Hotness", but Lady Gaga just became the worlds first female Tudor brand ambassador. 

In the photo above we see Lady Gaga wearing her Tudor Heritage Black Bay Red [41MM Reference M79230R] on her special red and black nylon strap...

Understaning Gaga
In the video below, Lady Gaga attends a Yale University symposium on her Born This Way Foundation, which addresses how to "Ignite important conversations about making schools place where all students can thrive".

So who exactly is Lady Gaga, and why did Rolex invite her to be a Tudor Brand Ambassador? In the videos below, celebrities voice their opinion about her amazing career achievements.





THE DIVA
Lady Gaga is a Mega-Star recording artist, and in my mind, she is like a modern Madonna. I say that she is like a modern Modonna in the sense she is a singing and fashion Diva, and like Modonna, never looks the same. Her 'Bad Romance' video below has been watches more than 850 Million times, which is amazing.

David Beckham Becomes Tudor Brand Ambassador

...Tudor Coolness...

David Beckham

Tudor Brand Ambassador

Tudor is a brand owned by Rolex, and they just announced legendary Soccer super-star, David Beckham has come on-board as an official Tudor brand ambassador and appears as part of their #BornToDare campaign. David Beckham said: 

"I was attracted to Tudor by the attention to detail I could see in their watches. I then learned about the history of the brand. One of adventure, pioneer diving and daring expeditions. I was instantly hooked". —David Beckham

David Beckham wearing Two-Tone Tudor Black Bay 

As I previously mentioned, Tudor is owned by Rolex, and Tudor offers watches that typically offer a very cool vintage-style tool watch look, coupled with a pricing structure that makes them much less expensive than their sibling Rolex watches. As an example, the 41MM Tudor Heritage Black Bay S&G model David Beckham is wearing in the photo above, which is also pictured below, retails for $4,975. Compare this with a standard Stainless Steel & Gold Rolex Submariner, which retails for $13,400, and you get the idea. This is arguably a brilliant marketing move by Rolex to offer much less expensive gateway watches that incorporate a great deal of very cool Rolex DNA. 

David Beckham, whose nickname is "DB7", is considered to be one of the greatest soccer players of all time. As a result of his career achievements he has become internationally recognizable icon. David is also considered by many to be a modern fashion & style icon. This is largely based upon his good looks and blend of classic cool style with his modern twist. As a soccer player he could curl three kicks like no other, so much so his free kicking style became his trademark. He was also the first major footballer (soccer player) that came to the United States to play.

I recently wrote extensively about UNICEF Ambassador, Roger Moore, an it is interesting that David Beckham is also a successful UNICEF Ambassador, and in the video below, you can watch a fascinating interview with where David discusses his UNICEF Fund.

David Beckham is pictured below with Soccer legend Pele who is wearing his trademark yellow gold Rolex Day-Date.

As I just mentioned, David Beckham has been a long-time Rolex fanatic, and has worn many different Rolex models, so I though it would make sense to take a look back at many of the different Rolex models he has worn in the past. This first set of photos of David Beckham are from early 2012, and show David at an LA Galaxy press conference wearing a vintage Rolex Datejust.

Yellow Gold Datejust models are so rare to see, I almost mistook it for a Day-Date! David Beckham is married to Victoria Beckham who is also a huge Rolex fan.

David Beckham has alway been an unusually hard-working man. He was also a trendsetter and style icon, as he was one of the first super-stylish soccer players who paid close attention to his appearance. You could say he was one of the first Metrosexual guys in sports. 

In this next set of photos we see David Beckham back in 2009 wearing his stainless steel Rolex DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER.

Victoria Beckham

David Beckham is married to recording superstar Victoria Beckham and they are pictured below at an Los Angeles Lakers Game. Notice they are both wearing Rolex watches. David Beckham is wearing a blacked out Rolex DEEP-SEA and Victoria Beckham is wearing a yellow gold Rolex Daytona.

Victoria Beckham

Posh Spice Girl 

Victoria Beckham began her singing career as a founding member of The Spice Girls and is also a solo artist today. Victoria Beckham is considered to be one of the most stylish women in the fashion world today and she is pictured below wearing a 36mm men's Rolex Day-Date on an Oyster bracelet. Victoria Beckham is also a hardcore Rolex fanatic, and she also wears many different Rolex models.

Victoria Beckham used to manage her husbands career and these days, she is an incredibly successful businesswoman and fashion designer. Her Victoria Beckham brand sells all kinds a clothing and accessories, including eyewear, makeup, handbags and shoes.

Victoria and David Beckham are pictured above leaving a restaurant

Victoria is performing in her solo career in the video below

Victoria & David have four children, and are renowned for being amazingly dedicated parents. Their children are renowned for their social-networking prowess.

Weekend of birthday celebrations with my babies x I love you @romeobeckham 💙

A post shared by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) on Mar 13, 2017 at 12:35am PDT

Gordon Ramsay & David Beckham

L.A. Lakers Mini Rolex Superstar GTG & RISitus

This series of photos is so funny!!! Cooking superstar Gordon Ramsay is pictured back in 2010, on the left and soccer superstar David Beckham is pictured on the right–at an L.A. Lakers Game. In the first photo we see Gordon and David, who are both from the United Kingdom, trading Rolex sport watches. It appears they traded to check out each others Rolex watches. David Beckham wears a Rolex DEEP-SEA SEA-DWELLER, and Gordon appears to be wearing a Submariner or SEA-DWELLER.

Just for the record, GTG stands for Watch Get Together, which is when a group of watch enthusiasts get together and talk about each others watches. One of the things that typically occurs at a watch GTG is each person takes off their Rolex and shares it with the other members. 

Around The World with David Beckham

The documentary below offers takes you on a journey around the world to all the continents, with David Beckham.

In all the photos above of David Beckham, he looks so serious, so I thought I would post this image from David Beckham's Instagram account, that shows his softer, family-man side:

And Happy Easter from me and my little friend 🐥

A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on Apr 16, 2017 at 1:45pm PDT