Today I am reviewing the 36mm Tudor 1926 Ref M91450-0001. This is the stainless steel model, with a silver dial and rose gold hands. The watch was a gift for my girlfriend, but we wanted a style that I would also be able to wear occasionally. This specific reference proved difficult to obtain, possibly due to its size, since I noticed the 39mm version was widely available at local watch shops as well as online. I wasn’t able to locate this one for about 1 month, until I contacted Howard Fine Jewellers one province over in Ottawa Ontario. Howards is both a Tudor and Rolex AD, and quite possibly one of the best Rolex ADs I’ve ever visited. I quickly booked an appointment to pick the watch up without hesitation.
There was a set of criteria I wanted this watch to meet, since it was my girlfriends first luxury watch I wanted to start her off on the right foot. I had a budget of max $3000.
Criteria:
- Swiss Automatic movement
- Robust enough for daily wear
- Steel bracelet
- Classy and elegant in style
- Good water resistance
- Good brand history
The only brand that was able to check off on the criteria list was Tudor, and a close second being Nomos. After taking a close look at the models our favourites were the Tudor 1926, BB36, and the Nomos Orion. As much as we loved the in-house movement and minimalist style of the Orion it was quickly removed from our list because the movement is manual-winding, it has a low water resistance rating, and no metal bracelet. We were then left to choose between the 1926 or the BB36. The BB36 was quickly removed from the list after my girlfriend tried it on in shop, it was just a touch too sporty and so was less versatile than the 1926, and it cost $1000 more than the 1926. Our decision was made!
The best part about the 1926 Ref M91450-0001 is that it not only met our criteria, but exceed it with extras. Some of the things we love about it are the solid rose gold hands and markers, the unique waffle pattern dial, the solid link stainless steel jubilee bracelet, screw down crown, large 100m water rating, overall quality heft to the watch, date function, massive Tudor brand heritage. To be completely fair this watch feels like a Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a slightly different style.
Fit and Finish
The fit and finish of this watch is absolutely shocking for the price point, it truly does compete with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Range. The high polished areas and brushed finish of the case and bracelet are basically the same quality as a Rolex.
The 1926 gives off beautiful light play when on the wrist due to the contrasting between the polished and brushed areas, it’s very well thought out. The integration of the bracelet links is superb, especially the end links that meet the case and lugs, the fit is seamless with zero play.
The screws and pins on the bracelet are perfectly plush and polished as well, it was one of the first things I noticed about the watch when I first handled it.
Overall I’d say this specific watch has the finish of a what you’d expect to find at two to three times its price point.
1926 Dial
The dial is simply classy and elegant. The solid rose gold hands are extremely legible against the silvery and almost pearl like colour of the waffle dial.
All the markers are accurately placed and this is confirmed even when viewing the dial with a jewellers loupe. The date wheel blends in really well but is still large enough to be read easily without a cyclops magnifier on the crystal, it suits the watch and is a great function for everyday use. If inspected very closely you’ll also notice the dial is slightly domed towards the outer edge which is super cool. The waffle pattern on the dial is also attractive and the general level of detail gone into it is just astounding.
The dial does lack lume, unlike the BB36. Because of this models slightly dressier style it’s probably best left without applied lume anyways, as it would detract from the overall polished look of the dial.
Wearability
This is an extremely comfortable watch to wear. It’s relatively slim and has short lugs, the jubilee style bracelet hugs the wrist gracefully.
The watch sits perfectly on a 6.3 – 6.5 inch wrist, it can easily slip under a shirt cuff, and is also well suited to both casual and formal wear, versatility at its best. The rose gold hands also lean more towards the feminine side, ideal for my girlfriend but also acceptable for the occasional wear from myself.
Tudor also makes this model with blue hands and in a variety of other styles if you’re looking for something leaning towards a more masculine look.
Movement
The movement is definitely where Tudor has saved a bit of money on this model, but is no slouch either. It’s a heavily modified calibre 2824 ETA movement with shock absorption. It’s a highly accurate workhorse movement with hacking and has 25 jewels, and it runs at 28,000 bph. We would have liked a fully in-house movement, but one of the best things about this ETA movement is that it’s simple to service, so we’ll take it with open arms.
Conclusion
Is this the best value buy at its price point? It very well could be if it checks off all the points that you’re after. For us it exceed a value buy, there wasn’t another model out there that could compete. If this is a watch you’re interested in or if it matches the style and functionality that you’re looking for I would highly recommend it.
To have a look at the full range of Tudor watches visit their official website here.
Good review, we are in front of an excellent piece of watchmaking
Awesome review, it made me look at one and everything matched what you said. Had to have one and it’s now in my collection. Got the 1926 41 mm Diamond/ Rose gold on bracelet. Silver dial. Thanks
A great watch, I’m looking at buying one to eventually hand down to my daughter. But wondering what the investment value would be on this watch? Most reviews seem to cater for the black bay?
The 1926 is significantly more elegant on wrist and much less sporty than the Black Bay. In terms of long term investment it’s difficult to say, but the Black Bay is definitely the more popular model of the two that would probably retain value more and be easier to sell.
Thanks Matthew. Excellent review. For my birthday last March, I bought one. It’s currently my daily wearer. I bought this watch for the same reason that I bought my stainless, 1964, Omega Seamaster, back when I was a teenager….in 1964. It had been my daily wearer for well more than half a century, but it’s now a watch I wear on special occasions. But, back to the Tudor 1926. I bought it for the same reasons as the Seamaster. It has an excellent movement. It’s beautifully finished. In addition, it has a screw down crown with a hack feature and a direct set position for the date. I bought the black dial with silver numerals–in the 36mm case, because I have a narrow wrist. You can wear it for business. You can wear it on an elegant night on the town. You can wear it hiking. You can wear it swimming. You can wear it sailing. You can wear it any darn time you want, and it looks perfect on all occasions. The bracelet is beautifully finished. The movement is bulletproof–and runs at 28K VPH (!). (The Seamaster is 34mm and suits me for the similar reasons.) The Tudor case is elegant and bulletproof. I didn’t buy the Omega for investment, nor did I buy the Tudor 1926 for that reason. I own other watches for investment, But this IS an investment–in a watch that you will love (and will last) for the rest of your life–your sturdy, steady, daily companion.
Well said Tom, the 1926 is really a “do it all” watch. It has that Rolex DNA infused in it giving it versatility and high quality craftsmanship.
I went to the watch shop to buy either a Omega Aqua Terra or the IWC Mark 18. But end up buying 3 pieces of Tudor 1926 watches;1 for my son, daughter and daughter-in-law. The look, feel and quality on the 1926 were next to Rolex but at very competitive pricing.