Please help! Struggling to decide on first watch..

Ha!  I'd be far more concerned about long-term support for an in-house movement than any ETA or Sellita which was basically used in every automatic watch for a 50 year period.  I doubt that ETA or Sellita will stop making parts for 2824-2/SW200-1 based or 2892-2/SW300 based movements for the next 50-100 years given the number of watches out there that have used those movements, and continue to do so.

Welcome to the crunch🤝

Hey, welcome on Jin...two things about your question: They are starting to put the in-house into some of the BB36s. So far only the two tone ones, so I'd bet next year for the all steel. But that's a while to wait for something that might not happen. I owned this very watch for quite a while and the time keeping from the ETA/Selitta was as good as you'd get on any COSC certified watch. I know the lure of the in-house option these days, but for what you are getting with the BB36 at the price is hard to beat.

Welcome to WC. As @JBird7986 stated, the ETA or Sellita movement is probably a better choice if you're concerned about long term support. They have been around long enough to have  any bugs worked out, can be easily serviced by any competent watchmaker, and are likely to be around for a very long time.  

It’s a cracker of a watch you’d be proud to pass down/on regardless of ETA. I wouldn’t let that stop you.

If you are at all worried about future service needs and support I would recommend shying away from in house movements and sticking only to ETA and SW movements. They will always be plentiful and easy to service. 

Have you looked at Oris and Sinn watches? Better value than Tudor IMHO.  

There is a fallacy to expect in-house movements to be significantly superior to ETAs or Lemanias. Just because the watch manufacturer built the movement themselves doesn't mean that it will be more accurate than let's say a ETA2824. Some movements like the Valjoux 7750 are used by many watches and yet it is regarded as an excellent movement nonetheless. Because these movements are popular, you won't struggle to have it repaired along the way as parts are common and the movement is not too complex too.

I really like Tudor and almost all of their watches from an aesthetic point of view. You cannot wrong with this one, especially as it can be dressed up with a leather strap. 

I bought my Tudor Heritage right before they released the in-house. I was gutted back then, but with time I dismissed that thought as I knew nothing about movements and I loved the watch specs and aesthetics.

My biggest recommendation is to try on a bunch of watches before making your decision, especially for a watch in this price point. It is terrible to spend a lot of money on a watch you have never tried on only to dislike it and then lose a bunch of money selling it or keeping it but never wearing it. 

I have this watch and I can honestly say it is my fav. You won’t regret your purchase my friend. The fact that it has an ETA  movement is a plus imho. Any shop can service an ETA. So many “in-house movements” from other manufacturers are based on that movement. It is rock solid. 
 

Plus, if I may rant a tiny bit, the preference for an in-house movement is truly unwarranted. I understand that it adds an air of “legitimacy” for a brand to make that claim, but honestly, in the past, many of the top brands today (including Rolex and Patek) used movements  and cases from other companies and no one batted an eye (until recently.)

Agreed. I have a wedding gift (watch) being delivered tomorrow with a Sellita based movement. This particular model will likely have an in-house movement next year. I’d much rather have the Silleta due to support and long-term cost. 

Thanks for your advice! Although being able to support it is certainly a very important factor for me, I think another reason why I am attracted to the in-house movement is that I am drawn to the romanticized idea of someone taking the time to carefully design and build something that is tailor-made (similar to Apple's philosophy of marrying hardware and software). However, from the practical perspective, it seems newer watches are aiming for the 70-hour power reserve threshold and I think that would actually make quite a quality-of-life difference.

I hear you. In-house is more romantic. And I understand wanting the extra power reserve — especially if you plan on expanding your collection in the future. I’d say go with your gut. 

Can just agree with @JBird7986 , @tempus  above. Those standard movements must be the safest to find a watchmaker taking care of in the future.a

Yes, I do understand that feeling! :)

Great, great first watch. Much better than what I went with 10 years ago, LOL.

No need to wait for an in-house movement. The current gen BB 36 is a great watch without qualifiers. I think in-house is only valuable when it offers something truely distinguishing, like the Cal. 32111 in the latest IWC mark 20 that offers 120h power reserve (mind blown). Or similarly the Oris Cal. 400. But the Oris Cal. 400 is also a case in point of the risk inherant with in-house. They are more idiosyncratic, sometimes that manifests itself as quirky issues like the Oris' minute-hand jumping issue. Or the Tudor GMT date wheel issue. 

I prefer the ETA personally.

I have the 41mm version and love it! In fact I purchased this as my first Tudor partially because it didn’t have an in house movement, which is in keeping with Tudor history. I love the “smiley” on the dial that indicates that. ETA And Sellita movements can be served by any watchmaker worth their salt, far more reliably than in house. 

Excellent point...it's like getting an exotic motor worked on vs an engine that is in a million cars

Have you tried it? If you did and you fell in love with it, go for it. I wouldn't wait for an in-house movement and I didn't. The ETA movement is solid and runs like it's COSC certified. And you won't get the smiley self-winding text as well. If you want in- house, try the Ranger. Good luck!