A Love Letter To My Ranger
This is my Tudor Ranger. I got it 3 months ago in August for my 20th birthday. I bought it almost a year to the date of when I first saw the Ranger and saved it on instagram. It was one of the first watches I fully fell in love with at the beginning of my watch collecting journey.
In the year that I was madly obsessed with the Ranger I only tried it on once in person and it was on nato strap. The day before my birthday I went into the AD to see if they had the Ranger since it had been a difficult model to get at my AD, they also never had it on a bracelet. To my surprise they did. And to my surprise I bought it that day without even knowing I was going to.
I have now had it for 3 months and it has become my daily driver. I wear it everywhere. I love this watch so much I got the caseback engraved, knowing I’d never part with it I engraved it with my parents first name initials and the first initial of my nickname From a tshirt and shorts to a suit and tie, I always wear it. I think this is arguably one of the best GADA watches at this price point.
The Ranger gets a lot of unnecessary hate. Some say it’s too boring, and sure it is a little plain, but I love boring. Others say it has too much negative space, some even say it’s still too big at 39 millimeters! I have even heard a pretty big name in the YouTube community say it’s a childish, emasculating, Boy Scout watch. Now that last one seems a bit too harsh, I don’t think any watch can truly be “emasculating” and that feeds in a little too much into toxic masculinity but that’s neither here nor there.
It comes in at 39 millimeters with an in house movement and is COSC Certified. It has 70 hour power reserve and an antimagnetic silicone hairspring. It has a screw down crown and is 100 meters water resistant. It also comes with the amazing Tudor T-Fit Clasp which is now standard in almost all the newer Tudors. The case is fully brushed with a small outer ring being polished around the bezel.
All and all the Ranger is a true tool watch at its core. It’s extremely legible and can take a beating. It is almost an exact copy of the original vintage Rangers. To many the Rolex Explorer 1016 is one of the most beautiful vintage watches and the best version of the Explorer. With that being said, the Ranger shares a striking resemblance to it with its numerals and hour markers. The Ranger pays homage to its old self just as its old self paid homage to its big brother the Explorer.
Tudor fixed many of the issues people had with the Tudor Ranger Heritage and made an even better watch. This watch is not perfect by any means, it’s not flashy in the slightest, but it is a bit charming. It is extremely boring and I will agree it is a little campy, but what field watch isn’t. I also do agree that it lacks another line of text above the Ranger stamp. With all that being said, I am not turning a blind eye to the things that can be bettered.
The Ranger does not deserve the such deep hate and criticism it receives. And sure I’m biased by being a proud and happy owner of one, but for the price it is miles ahead of its competitors. In house movement, on the fly micro adjustments, silicone hairspring, 70 hours power reserve and COSC certified all for a little above 3k is an a insanely great deal. For those who like the Rolex connection, Tudor is what Rolex once was, innovative and exciting They take the risk their big brother won’t. The level of finishing on this watch despite only being brushed is still incredibly done. The Ranger will continue to be my highschool sweetheart, girl next door, trophy wife watch. My dearest Tudor Ranger, I love you.
At first I thought this was a bit much, but having written a whole story about one of my watches here on WatchCrunch ("My Conversation with Mademoiselle Tissot") I understand exactly how you feel.
Having read your post and seen your photos, I can't see much of a downside to this watch either, other than that it's "boring". I say boredom is underrated.
Its not boring, it's functional and focused.
Love it 😍👍🏻👍🏻
Men of absolute taste, we meet again.
its a boring watch for sure, but i like boring watch in fact all of my collection are a boring watch. but boring got a excess too its easy to pair it with the rest of our outfit 😂. wear it in a good health
I prefer it to the Rolex version. But I like my Hydro even more than either.
First thing first, you got this piece at 20 years old.. That’s kudos to you! You should really be proud of yourself! Tbh, when I laid eyes on this, I really like it too. The only reason why I didn’t get it is cause I always am a fan of Tudor snowflake hand (though I know many dislike it as well 🤷🏻♂️ ) and this piece simply does not have that. If it does, it will be a strong contender for sure. Wear it in good health! 😎😊 Man of great taste indeed!
its a boring watch for sure, but i like boring watch in fact all of my collection are a boring watch. but boring got a excess too its easy to pair it with the rest of our outfit 😂. wear it in a good health
All of these different "new, exciting dials and designs and colorways" are getting to be, well - a bit . . . boring.
Congrats on the Ranger! I do think the Ranger is a good value for the money. It just doesn't spark anything in me that makes me want to buy it. That seems to the the sentiment among a lot of other people too...
Great watch! Another Tudor where pictures don’t do it justice. Congrats and keep enjoying.
Great write up. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what others say about a watch, all that matters is the relationship you have with it.
This is my favourite go-to watch everyday. Rolex Explorer stays in the box and worn on weekends. Love your story, thanks for sharing. 😘
Do I see an upside down guitar!!
I really really like it a lot. I'd totally worship it as well.
A few months ago, my wife suggested lunch with our younger daughter and her husband at a large suburban mall. ??? Apparently the young couple received some gift coupons from their jobs, I agreed since there is a stand alone Tudor boutique located there as well as a nice representation of other watch brands in the mall. I already own too many Tudor watches but impulsively decided to put my name on an iPad for a Ranger but only fitted to a bracelet. I was called within a few days to pick up my next Tudor, I am not at all disappointed with the tool timepiece, do wear it occasionally but suspect that I am at a point where I feel the entire brand needs to elevate their designs and case finishing a few notches. I have declined opportunities to purchase other models such as the Chrono and Pelagos FXD watches but said that if something more interesting arrives would definitely make the trip out to the mall again.
I’m a huge fan. I got mine on the last day of ‘22 and it’s my most worn watch since. The size and dimensions are perfect for me and the bracelet is great. I added a half link from Uncle Straps and now I get full use of the T-Fit.
Do I see an upside down guitar!!
Yes you do! Lefty over here
A few months ago, my wife suggested lunch with our younger daughter and her husband at a large suburban mall. ??? Apparently the young couple received some gift coupons from their jobs, I agreed since there is a stand alone Tudor boutique located there as well as a nice representation of other watch brands in the mall. I already own too many Tudor watches but impulsively decided to put my name on an iPad for a Ranger but only fitted to a bracelet. I was called within a few days to pick up my next Tudor, I am not at all disappointed with the tool timepiece, do wear it occasionally but suspect that I am at a point where I feel the entire brand needs to elevate their designs and case finishing a few notches. I have declined opportunities to purchase other models such as the Chrono and Pelagos FXD watches but said that if something more interesting arrives would definitely make the trip out to the mall again.
I totally agree. I think they’re riding off the Black Bay 58 a bit too much. They are willing to take risks but they seem to have slowed down on the risk taking recently.
Very cool story!
this watch is one that has been growing on me. originally the #'s threw me off. i didn't think they looked right... then i started seeing vintage rangers and could clearly see the thru line to the current iteration. i'll get another pelagos or the BB54 before i get the ranger, but it is now firmly on my radar. thanks for sharing. great story.
This is great. After owning an homage of this watch for awhile I think I see one in my future. Such a versatile watch.
This is great. After owning an homage of this watch for awhile I think I see one in my future. Such a versatile watch.
It’s a must have
An interesting write up and I’m sure a great watch from a stellar brand.
Possibly a Sinn 556 could pretty much do the job of a Ranger for a fraction of the price. Similar to the Ranger in size and finish and very much a GADA watch with decent WR and lume. The Sinn is not COSC but mine keeps time well within those limits and I prefer not to have an in house movement due to ease of servicing. I do like 70 hours power reserve though and Sinn should up their game on this, but as I rotate through multiple watches that doesn’t really matter.
For sure the Ranger bracelet and clasp would be so much better on the Ranger (IMO the clasp is a weakness on Sinn watches I own) but I prefer to wear my 556 on a strap, either leather to it dress up or canvas.
One of the best watches you can currently get in my opinion. Congrats! 🙌 It's a true candidate for a one watch collection, works well with everything. Reading your post, looks like you chose the perfect watch for you. If I didn't already have the Explorer, I would most definitely get one for myself. A friend of mine owns one and I like wearing it from time to time. It's a real strap monster, love how it looks on the bund strap!
Completely agree, I don’t think it’s for everyone. Plainer more boring watches feel like an acquired taste and a more niche group of collectors
Too much stimulation gets boring real fast.
One of the best watches you can currently get in my opinion. Congrats! 🙌 It's a true candidate for a one watch collection, works well with everything. Reading your post, looks like you chose the perfect watch for you. If I didn't already have the Explorer, I would most definitely get one for myself. A friend of mine owns one and I like wearing it from time to time. It's a real strap monster, love how it looks on the bund strap!
There is no such thing as a one watch collection. You need at least two.
One of the best watches you can currently get in my opinion. Congrats! 🙌 It's a true candidate for a one watch collection, works well with everything. Reading your post, looks like you chose the perfect watch for you. If I didn't already have the Explorer, I would most definitely get one for myself. A friend of mine owns one and I like wearing it from time to time. It's a real strap monster, love how it looks on the bund strap!
It really is a strap monster. That’s something I’ve been wanting to venture into more. I agree that this could be a one watch collection for someone who really isn’t into watches.
There is no such thing as a one watch collection. You need at least two.
I think a one watch collection is possible if you’re not fully into the watch game. But 2-4 is such a nice sweet spot. I have 5 watches and only wear 1. The others were handed down to me or gifted so I can’t really sell them. But I’d consider myself a one watch collection guy.
I love the taper on the Ranger, the bracelet is so beautiful. Main reason why I got this Ranger over the BB54
I got one the week it came out. It is by far my most worn and most comfortable watch. It’s not boring, it’s simple. And to me it’s simple done right. I absolutely adore everything about this watch and will also never part with mine. It’s too good.