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The "Poor Man’s Rolex" Myth (And Why It Was Genius)

Jan 25, 2026 Vol. Volume 1: The "Shield and Crown" 219 plays
0:00 4:15

Show Notes

Discuss the explicit vision of Hans Wilsdorf (founder of Rolex) when he launched Tudor in 1926 and fully established it in 1946.

- It wasn’t about "cheap"; it was about "industrial strategy." Wilsdorf wanted to sell watches with Rolex waterproof Oyster cases and crowns but with off-the-shelf movements (Valjoux/ETA) to secure a market segment Rolex couldn't touch.

- Early Tudor Submariners are virtually identical to Rolex Submariners of the era, just with a different movement and dial.
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