Tudor North Flag. Would you like to see a new and improved model?
I believe the Tudor North Flag is one of the most underrated watches out there. Despite its modern design, sturdy construction, and outstanding technical specifications, it seems to be flying under the radar of many collectors and enthusiasts. But why is that?
This watch features a 40mm stainless steel case and is powered by Tudor's first in-house caliber MT5621, which is both reliable and precise, with a power reserve of 70 hours. The dial is eye-catching, with bold yellow accents and clear Arabic numerals that ensure easy readability. I believe it is this simplicity of design that makes me want one so much! Plus, it looks fantastic on this nylon canvas strap.
I would love to see Tudor release a new and improved North Flag model with multiple case size and material options. Imagine having a North Flag in lightweight titanium or scratch-resistant ceramic. This would make the watch more versatile and appealing to a broader audience, potentially boosting its popularity and recognition.
So, I am curious, which watch takes the title of "most underrated watch" for you? Do you agree that the Tudor North Flag deserves more attention? And would you like to see a new and improved model with multiple case options, just like the Tudor Black Bay line?
We take pride in handcrafting our watch straps from the finest quality leather. Our strap manufacturing process is highly time-consuming, and each strap is meticulously handled with great care and att...
I completely agree with you! I'm late to the party with Tudor. I own a full fat Pelagos and a P01. I was really disappointed to discover the North Flag had ceased production. I prefer it in fact to the Ranger and believe it is great on its own merits as you say. A new version would be good but even better reintroduce the North Flag please!
Fully agree, it would be a killer deal if sub 5k for new/updated titanium model on bracelet with T fit clasp
This watch would need quite a bit of refinement work for the mass market I would say. There is no equivalent Rolex, so it needs to appeal to the consumer on its own. It's cool but also very blocky and clunky. It lacks intricate shapes or finishes on the case and everything is very simple (read: it doesn't feel expensive). So even if you have an 18cm wrist and it sits nicely, I think you need to appreciate a watch beyond its function as a fashion item to buy this. On a forum like here, sure... but that's the minority.
Would it be cool to see it back, yes. Do I think it's going to happen, no.
Yes, love to see it return. Can't stand the Bland Bay range & the North Flag is by far their stand out model for me, far more original and interesting than anything else that they've made - they've become a one trick pony, a poor tribute act & the NF could remedy that.
Love mine. Definitely marks a turning point for Tudor with first in-house movement, display case back, ceramic bezel insert. The power reserve disc in the dial is a nice touch. And the yellow hands give it a nice pop. Size is perfect. Just wish it’s a couple of mm thinner. Underrated for sure. But I love how it flies under the radar. :)
I always loved seeing this piece but the specialized strap (the way it connects to the case) is a little tricky to deal with I imagine.
Underrated and done dirty. I rarely use that word, but I do think the North Flag was certainly a key watch in the modern Tudor catalogue. This was the watch everyone said they wanted yet nobody bought. I doubt Tudor would bother bringing it back, the BB is the moneymaker, and it shows that all people really want from them are homages to their bigger sister brand.
The North Flag is evidence that Tudor’s customers don’t actually want innovative designs, however much they say they do. They really want familiar, safe and inoffensive.
It’s also evidence that Tudor’s designs are relatively crude and unsophisticated, lacking any of the finesse of their parent company. They just about get away with it with their historic (read: Rolex homage) reinterpretations, but anything beyond that just highlights their weakness in this area.
I always loved seeing this piece but the specialized strap (the way it connects to the case) is a little tricky to deal with I imagine.
Not really. We sell a lot of them and never had any complain about that. It's the same as any other standard strap, just narrower.
The answer appears once you look at the dial, the font of the numerals and the shape. It's an Explorer, or at least it's Tudor's honest effort to re-imagine the explorer in a modern format.
In hindsight the road to failure is pretty obvious: The traditional Explorer buyers didn't want something that looked like what Seiko might have done if they were still serious about being innovative. What these traditional buyers wanted was a traditional Explorer and that's not what they got with the North Flag, so they didn't buy it - big surprise!
Unfortunately, the North Flag might have looked like an innovative model from Seiko but it was not priced like one for sure, therefore it was out of reach for those of us that did appreciate it.
Will Tudor release a new Explorer? Sure they will - when pigs learn to fly and hell will freeze over. Tudor learned their lesson well, which prompted them to become the Black Bay Company.
I have to agree. I had it a few years back. I have been looking to buy one again. Love it
Love mine but would also love to see a sub-40mm model, slimmed down if possible and with the T-fit. I think it was just a little ahead of its time and the head of steam it's building with the community in the past few years would make a reissue very popular. As noted above, there is no Rolex analog so Tudor can really claim this design as their own and iterate in new and interesting ways...
Love mine but would also love to see a sub-40mm model, slimmed down if possible and with the T-fit. I think it was just a little ahead of its time and the head of steam it's building with the community in the past few years would make a reissue very popular. As noted above, there is no Rolex analog so Tudor can really claim this design as their own and iterate in new and interesting ways...
Totally forgot how cool the blue lume looks in combination with the yellow accents 😍
I know I would!!
I think that I have come around to @Pete_NSOW 's point in his last video about expansionist vs. isolationist brands. The North Flag was an expansionist model and Tudor isn't pursuing that strategy now. I don't think that reviving it is in the short-term plans of Tudor.
It is a shame because I like it. It doesn't conform to the Rolex Jr. ethos.
A side note, I know that "new and improved" is an idiom taken from advertising. Can it be new and not improved? Presumably, no one wants that.
The North Flag is evidence that Tudor’s customers don’t actually want innovative designs, however much they say they do. They really want familiar, safe and inoffensive.
It’s also evidence that Tudor’s designs are relatively crude and unsophisticated, lacking any of the finesse of their parent company. They just about get away with it with their historic (read: Rolex homage) reinterpretations, but anything beyond that just highlights their weakness in this area.
I can see that argument with the many many black bay variations but the pelagos isn't a Rolex homage surely? For me it sits a comfortable distance away from any Rolex design.
I think the idea that the North flag was Tudors take on a modern explorer is spot on.
If they brought it back it would be a very serious contender for an NWA. Its just a fabulous bit of kit. Love it.
Yes and Tudor, if you are listening . . . duh.
This watch would need quite a bit of refinement work for the mass market I would say. There is no equivalent Rolex, so it needs to appeal to the consumer on its own. It's cool but also very blocky and clunky. It lacks intricate shapes or finishes on the case and everything is very simple (read: it doesn't feel expensive). So even if you have an 18cm wrist and it sits nicely, I think you need to appreciate a watch beyond its function as a fashion item to buy this. On a forum like here, sure... but that's the minority.
Would it be cool to see it back, yes. Do I think it's going to happen, no.
Well written
I disagree. The North flag was cool but the Tudor advisor was the underrated one.
The North flag is replaced by the Ranger and Royal. The advisor was unique in every way. It was one of the only watches with an alarm complication.
I don’t think it’s flying under the radar when a used one is selling for almost $4k. Beautiful watch wish I bought one when in production.
I agree. I think the north flag is one of Tudors best designs. Too bad I didn’t have the money to buy one back when they were around
The North Flag is evidence that Tudor’s customers don’t actually want innovative designs, however much they say they do. They really want familiar, safe and inoffensive.
It’s also evidence that Tudor’s designs are relatively crude and unsophisticated, lacking any of the finesse of their parent company. They just about get away with it with their historic (read: Rolex homage) reinterpretations, but anything beyond that just highlights their weakness in this area.
You raise a really good point. Witness the Ranger: all the enthusiasts were begging for them to make it, and now no one wants it. It is a solid, well-made functional everyday tool…that looks kinda dull.
Love mine but would also love to see a sub-40mm model, slimmed down if possible and with the T-fit. I think it was just a little ahead of its time and the head of steam it's building with the community in the past few years would make a reissue very popular. As noted above, there is no Rolex analog so Tudor can really claim this design as their own and iterate in new and interesting ways...
🎯
I wish Tudor would focus more on it’s modern designs. The pelagos and the north flag are some of its most interesting watches. I would love to see a full titanium reintroduction of this, but unfortunately I don’t see Tudor going back to the north flag
This watch would need quite a bit of refinement work for the mass market I would say. There is no equivalent Rolex, so it needs to appeal to the consumer on its own. It's cool but also very blocky and clunky. It lacks intricate shapes or finishes on the case and everything is very simple (read: it doesn't feel expensive). So even if you have an 18cm wrist and it sits nicely, I think you need to appreciate a watch beyond its function as a fashion item to buy this. On a forum like here, sure... but that's the minority.
Would it be cool to see it back, yes. Do I think it's going to happen, no.
Good points.
The North Flag is evidence that Tudor’s customers don’t actually want innovative designs, however much they say they do. They really want familiar, safe and inoffensive.
It’s also evidence that Tudor’s designs are relatively crude and unsophisticated, lacking any of the finesse of their parent company. They just about get away with it with their historic (read: Rolex homage) reinterpretations, but anything beyond that just highlights their weakness in this area.
Maybe I have some contrarian in me but I’m hesitant to agree. I do think that this is an interesting point tho.
You raise a really good point. Witness the Ranger: all the enthusiasts were begging for them to make it, and now no one wants it. It is a solid, well-made functional everyday tool…that looks kinda dull.
Tbh I think the Ranger is bald as a design. It’s kinda out of its time. I think the issue was with the sizing. However 39 mm is probably the size I would have gone with for the sake of mass-appeal since many men still have a “under 40 mm will give you cooties” mindset.
I think Dryden makes a Ranger homage (in the not-stupid sense) that I think does a great job of reimagining the Ranger in a modernized form.
I like it but I think any watch with lugs like that has to be under 40 mm for it to work well, lest it end up dominanting any wrist under 20 cm.
I bought my Tudor North Flag in 2015 and it's been great. In fact only 3 weeks ago it went in for it's first paid service. Everyone and his dog seems to have a Black bay, but they just don't appeal to me. It's just personal preference.