The "Shield and Crown"

Dive into the world of Tudor watches with this 10-topic playlist. We trace the story of the "Shield & Crown" logically, starting with the brand's pioneering history and technical achievements, and concluding with a look at modern collectability.

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Episodes (10)

Ep. 01 4:15

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

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

Ep. 02 4:17

The French Navy Connection (Marine Nationale)

The long-standing partnership with the Marine Nationale (French Navy) from the 1950s to the 1980s. - Unlike Rolex, wh...

Ep. 03 3:21

The "Snowflake" Revolution (1969)

The shift from Mercedes hands (Rolex style) to the blocky "Snowflake" hands in 1969 (Ref. 7016/0 and 7021/0). - This ...

Ep. 04 5:46

Beating Rolex to the Automatic Chronograph

The release of the Tudor "Big Block" in 1976 (Ref. 9400 series). - A massive sibling victory. Tudor released a self-w...

Ep. 05 6:11

The "Monte Carlo" Casino Dials

The funky, colorful chronographs of the 1970s (Ref. 7100 series). - While Rolex remained conservative and monochrome,...

Ep. 06 5:50

The 2012 Resurrection (Black Bay & Pelagos)

The modern relaunch of the brand after it had pulled out of markets like the US and UK in the early 2000s. - How one ...

Ep. 07 6:28

The North Flag: The Forgotten Pioneer

The Tudor North Flag (discontinued). - The most important "modern" Tudor nobody talks about. It was the first watch t...

Ep. 08 5:53

The Kenissi Movement Factory

Tudor's shift from ETA movements to owning their own production arm, Kenissi. - Tudor is now a movement supplier powe...

Ep. 09 6:50

Material Science: Silver, Bronze, and Ceramic

Tudor’s willingness to use unstable materials. - Rolex uses 904L steel and gold—materials that stay perfect. Tudo...

Ep. 10 6:16

The "Magpie" Strategy

How Tudor borrows the best features from vintage Rolex references that represent "unobtainium" for normal people. - T...