Tudor scratched my Rolex itch!
Ever since I was on the hunt for my first luxury watch, I was always dreaming of owning a Rolex. I mean, it's a Rolex, right?
The thing that interested me most about Rolex was the thrill of the chase, could I actually convince my AD to sell me the Rolex I wanted at retail, rather than the one they wanted me to buy instead, and would I be satisfied with the watch after claiming "victory?"
I decided to speak with my AD and pretend that my sole aim for walking into the store was NOT to buy a Rolex, to see if he would eventually steer me towards the brand and make him work for his money. I was quite convincing if I do say so myself.
To implement my ruse, I decided to pitch my camp squarely on the Tudor brand as we all know, Rolex and Tudor go pretty much hand in hand in the same family circles, thinking this would be an eventual lead-in to the AD suggesting "why don't you have a look at Rolex as well if you like these Tudor watches?"
So we go through the motions, the AD brings out a selection of Tudor watches for me to try on, I try on a few and was suddenly hit with cupids arrow when the Tudor Black Bay 58 nestled so sweetly on my wrist! The perfect size, colours, dial, strap etc ... what was this witchcraft?
Anyway, the AD finally suggests "have you considered a Rolex?"
Still a bit star struck with the BB58 on my wrist, I gave him a glazed look and still trying to play it cool, I said "It wouldn't harm I suppose"
He brought out a few Submariner's and Oyster Perpetual's and I tried them all on, HERE WE GO! ... but the BB58 was sat there on that lovely cushioned leather tray, just looking up at me, enticing me, pulling me in like Gollum being drawn towards the one ring to rule them all. I didn't even look at the Rolex's when they were placed on my wrist, I'd glance at them, but the BB58 was all that I wanted "ands we's cud havs it today, couldn't we precious! 😈"
To cut a long story short, I left the AD without buying a watch as I took the advice of my fellow members in this group, to let it all settle down and see if there was a watch that would cry out to me out of all the ones I'd tried on.
Over the next few days, all I could think about was the BB58. Not one Rolex popped into my head. A week went by, the Tudor was still festering in my head. By the second week I was walking out with my brand new Tudor Black Bay 58 having pulled the trigger and I can honestly say, I've never enjoyed a watch so much than I have with the BB58.
Now this isn't a knock on Rolex, on the contrary. Rolex watches are stunning and I would honestly have one, I get the hype around them, their finishing is second-to-none and they really do have a presence on the wrist. But as the old saying goes "each to their own". I was simply captivated by a watch that I hadn't even considered before, and that watch is giving me so much enjoyment to this day.
I think the Tudor BB58 has actually scratched the Rolex itch that I had previously. I no longer have the need or drive to own a Rolex anymore. Personally ... I feel like I've found my one watch to rule them all.
My precious! 😍
UK Kansas City Chiefs fan, EMMY award recipient, avid watch enthusiast.
I feel the same about the bb54… oh and the Pelagos 39. So I got both 🤣🤣🤣
Enjoy it sir… 🫡
Glad you made the right decision, owning a Rolex isn't everything, enjoy your new watch
Congrats for the pickup! The BB58 is a fantastic watch and I picked it over the submariner as well! The size (in my opinion) is perfect and the contrasting gilt dial is so much better than the white on the submariner.
There's a reason Tudors are loved, and BB58s are particularly loved - they're very good.
Nice work.
I feel the same about the bb54… oh and the Pelagos 39. So I got both 🤣🤣🤣
Enjoy it sir… 🫡
I would have all of those Tudor's if I could. They've nailed the designs of these watches.
Lucky 🍀 you, I’m still in search for watch contentment…
I agree. I had a Rolex Submariner (14060M) no date. I bought the Tudor Pelagos 39mm, and sold the Sub a few months later. I fell in love with the Pelly and it's not left my wrist since. The main reason I love it? it's not a Rolex. LOL
What a great story. I think Tudor has their own design, yea there are some similarities to Rolex, but I completely dismiss the notion that the Tudor of today is an homage brand.
I had a GMT Master 2 for many years before I discovered Tudor and I thought the Black Bay Heritage looked nothing like the Submariner, yes Tudor had a Submariner and it looked much like a Rolex but the BB not at all.
I glad you love your BB58, enjoy it.
I think you did the right thing..Again, I have nothing against Rolex I still have a couple in the collection but I have turned away from the brand based on how they have been treating the customers and mainly because it has turned into such 'flex' brand. It seems Rolex is all people know. There are so many terrific watches out there. I personally have never purchased a watch to please other people...As a 75 year old guy I have been wearing and collecting (first Rolex Day/date in the early 70's. I will be the first to tell you NOBDY notices or gives a crap what watch you have on..But what you like and enjoy the heck out of the Hobby.. JMO
Tudor is making great stuff. My Ranger has the same effect on me as yours does for you it seems. I just tried on a GMT recently and I think I’m gonna need one of them soonish.
Tudor is making great stuff. My Ranger has the same effect on me as yours does for you it seems. I just tried on a GMT recently and I think I’m gonna need one of them soonish.
The Tudor GMT is a beauty of a watch!
I have a sub but I’m still eyeing the 58. IT WEARS SO WELL! And to add, locally I found a piece with a faded ghost bezel. It’s supposedly a manifacturing defect by Tudor but it’s looks amaaaaaaaazing. Vintage looks without the worry.
I have a sub but I’m still eyeing the 58. IT WEARS SO WELL! And to add, locally I found a piece with a faded ghost bezel. It’s supposedly a manifacturing defect by Tudor but it’s looks amaaaaaaaazing. Vintage looks without the worry.
Would love to see that!
Congrats on the BB58. I gather this is your first Tudor .... more could come 🙂
I have 3 Tudor so far. My wife also has a Tudor.
Congrats on the BB58. I gather this is your first Tudor .... more could come 🙂
I have 3 Tudor so far. My wife also has a Tudor.
Yes this is my first Tudor, and I absolutely want more after having the BB58. The watches just suit me and my style perfectly. Which ones do you and your wife have, I might consider getting my wife one at some point.
Yes this is my first Tudor, and I absolutely want more after having the BB58. The watches just suit me and my style perfectly. Which ones do you and your wife have, I might consider getting my wife one at some point.
My wife has the Clair de Rose.
I have the Glamour Date+Day with the jaquard dial in 18K Gold, the BB58 and the BB Pro.
My BB58 is my most expensive watch and will be with me for life. I bought it on the day of my mother's funeral as a marker of that day.
Wish you luck with that… :p
I had a similar experience in July 2021, I walked into my AD looking for a no date sub, they didn’t have one, but they did have date versions available so I tried them on. I couldn’t bond with the cyclops so I told them I would wait, they desperately tried to convince me and asked why wouldn’t I buy one and I said I didn’t like the cyclops, so they showed me the pelagos, which I had tried when they came out and thought they were too big, but it somehow looked amazing this time and I was really into the blue one, so I walked out with it and for about a year I thought I was set and didn’t need a sub. Flash forward to December 2022, and I get a call that my no date sub had arrived and if I was going to buy it, I was really unsure, but once I held it I knew I had to buy it and I did.
So I really hope the 58 does the trick for you! They’re both amazing quality pieces! Cheers!
Wish you luck with that… :p
I had a similar experience in July 2021, I walked into my AD looking for a no date sub, they didn’t have one, but they did have date versions available so I tried them on. I couldn’t bond with the cyclops so I told them I would wait, they desperately tried to convince me and asked why wouldn’t I buy one and I said I didn’t like the cyclops, so they showed me the pelagos, which I had tried when they came out and thought they were too big, but it somehow looked amazing this time and I was really into the blue one, so I walked out with it and for about a year I thought I was set and didn’t need a sub. Flash forward to December 2022, and I get a call that my no date sub had arrived and if I was going to buy it, I was really unsure, but once I held it I knew I had to buy it and I did.
So I really hope the 58 does the trick for you! They’re both amazing quality pieces! Cheers!
Great story 👏