Tudor Heritage Chrono Watch - Big Deal?

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
Apr 2nd 2010 at 12:01PM

Lots of people have been making a big deal out of the new Tudor Heritage Chrono watch. Yes it comes with that cool brown and orange "seat buckle" strap (metal bracelet as well), and looks '70s retro chic, but is it really that big of a deal? I got to check out this piece at Baselworld recently and don't understand all the fuss. For Americans, Tudor is a "baby" Rolex brand that is no longer sold in the US. Tudor pulled out of the US maybe 10 years ago or longer. Why? Not totally sure, but I can guess. Probably because the lower cost brand would either compete with, or lower the image of Rolex. Tudor watches are not made with the same high quality refinement that Americans have come to expect and enjoy from Rolex. Tudor watches are pretty much inferior, less expensive alternatives. So to protect the rock-solid Rolex image, Rolex probably decided to pull the Tudor brand out of the US.

While the Tudor Heritage Chrono looks decent enough, it is nothing special. For what it likely costs there are dozens of better options. The dial on the original is flat and merely printed, with the new version updated with applied hour markers and a removal of the cyclops. Finishing on the case is merely OK, and the hands and dial aren't spectacular in quality. I have a feeling that nostalgia is the best marketing force for timepieces like this. Once the initial "wow" of the design wears off, I don't think a piece like this has too much staying power on one's wrist.

The watch itself is 42mm wide and has an automatic 45 minute chronograph. Not sure what the movement is, but it is likely a modified ETA or alike. Probably an ETA 7734 or similar. There is a black on black or gray on black dial, and an interesting placement of a date magnifier lens at 6 o'clock. The bezel rotates in both direction, and looks a bit too retro if you ask me. Overall, not the worst watch over, but certainly not the "modern classic icon" people make it out to be, from a design and finishing perspective. See images of the new version in the gallery below.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Tudor Heritage Chrono watch

Tags: 70330 N, chrome, Chrono, heritage, rolex, Tudors

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Trey Apr 2nd 2010 10:53PM

This picture is the old 1970's watch that the Tudor Heritage Chrono is based on. The Heritage Chrono has applied hour markers, no cyclops lens over the date, and looks much sharper than the watch in this picture.

Watchaholic Apr 13th 2010 5:26PM

Woah there big fella!

As Trey noted, the watch in the image is the original, an old, sought after classic, even for Rolex collectors. To state that this new reference is an "inferior product", "nothing special" not made with the same "high quality refinements" and to further speculate that Tudor "probably" pulled out of the US to protect their "rock solid" image is just that, speculation and nothign more. The movement as I understand it is an eta 2894 with Dubois Depraz modificaitons. The 42mm stainless case is superb and the crystal is AR coated on the inside (you wont find that on any Rolex watch). As a Rolex and Tudor collector I have a full appreciation of both brands, and while I recognize that over the past decade Tudor hasn't done a great job refining the brand, we shoudl applaud this step towards a solid brand identity. Try and keep and open mind and leave your personal biases at home in the US where they don't sell Tudor.

Froy Lopez Apr 24th 2010 3:55PM

Dear Sirs:
Im writing from Mexico,actually the south of Mexico, and Im a big fan of Rolex watches. That being said, recently my father gave me as a present, an old Tudor Oysterdate. I found it quite interesting. Rolex case and crown and everything, except the movement, an ETA I think. Its case its gold. I found it a little small for me, 34mm only, so I fit it with a white ostrich strap and gave it to my girlfriend. The dial is white with gold, and the case its gold. I looks similar to the new ROLEX Date for women. Anyway my girlfriend like it a lot, and decided to surprise me with a watch. Enter the GRANTOUR DATE, she bought it on a trip to Cancun and I LOVE IT. It cost 1,750usd and the quality its excellent, rivaling Rolex. I am now loving the new Chrono Heritage. Im going to get it as soon as it gets sold in Mexico, and will order an extra strap for the Grantour. I hope it will fit it. I think its going to look great having both the GRANTOUR AND CHRONO with matching straps. And the leather strap that comes with the GRANTOUR, goes to my vintage Rolex Submariner if it fits. I seldom get to wear my SUB, as well as my other ROLEX watches. Over here, with the economy in crisis and violence problems, its and open invitation for trouble. SO ENTER TUDOR. A Rolex that is not prone to provoke a mugging or something worse, and THAT I LOVE. GRANTOUR DATE, CHRONO HERITAGE, and hopefully a SEA HERITAGE next year. In my mind a re edition of a BLUE SUBMARINER SNOWFLAKE on a new black strap. What a TRIFECTA.

Unknown Apr 24th 2010 3:58PM

Dear Sirs:Im writing from Mexico,actually the south of Mexico, and Im a big fanof Rolex watches. That being said, recently my father gave me as apresent, an old Tudor Oysterdate. I found it quite interesting. Rolexcase and crown and everything, except the movement, an ETA I think.Its case its gold. I found it a little small for me, 34mm only, so Ifit it with a white ostrich strap and gave it to my girlfriend. Thedial is white with gold, and the case its gold. I looks similar tothe new ROLEX Date for women. Anyway my girlfriend like it a lot, anddecided to surprise me with a watch. Enter the GRANTOUR DATE, shebought it on a trip to Cancun and I LOVE IT. It cost 1,750usd and thequality its excellent, rivaling Rolex. I am now loving the new ChronoHeritage. Im going to get it as soon as it gets sold in Mexico, andwill order an extra strap for the Grantour. I hope it will fit it. Ithink its going to look great having both the GRANTOUR AND CHRONOwith matching straps. And the leather strap that comes with theGRANTOUR, goes to my vintage Rolex Submariner if it fits. I seldomget to wear my SUB, as well as my other ROLEX watches. Over here,with the economy in crisis and violence problems, its and openinvitation for trouble. SO ENTER TUDOR. A Rolex that is not prone toprovoke a mugging or something worse, and THAT I LOVE. GRANTOUR DATE,CHRONO HERITAGE, and hopefully a SEA HERITAGE next year. In my mind are edition of a BLUE SUBMARINER SNOWFLAKE on a new black strap. Whata TRIFECTA.