Tudor once again brought a breath of fresh air to the world of watches with the updated version of its Ranger model introduced almost 60 years ago.
In the years when the original Ranger was introduced, it was an affordable and high-performance Rolex Explorer alternative with its 34mm diameter stainless steel case and details such as the winding crown provided by Rolex, as well as its ETA movement. Let me expand the definition of high performance: A simple and easily legible dial in all conditions, a caliber that can maintain its accuracy even under toughest conditions such as impacts and temperature changes, and a case and bracelet that do not compromise on comfort on the wrist, an engineering infrastructure that allows long-lasting use. Tudor Ranger was a watch that aimed to offer all these to its users with a rightfully affordable price tag within its category and succeeded in doing so. Today, the new model in front of us seems to have raised the bar even higher.
The new Tudor Ranger comes in a 39mm diameter stainless steel case. The watch's thickness is 12mm, which will please many Tudor enthusiasts. Equipped with a sapphire crystal, the model is water-resistant to 100 meters. Every part of the watch, including the case, bezel, crown, back cover, and stainless steel bracelet, has a satin or brushed surface form. This ensures that the surface craftsmanship is in great harmony with the adventurous nature of the watch. The sapphire crystal and matte black dial of the watch are domed. The numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9 on the dial are inspired by the iconic Ranger series. Likewise, the hands also bear traces of the original model. We will likely encounter a Ranger Date model with a date window placed at 3 o'clock in the future.
At the heart of the watch is the automatic Caliber MT5402 produced in-house by Tudor. Introduced in 2018, the COSC-certified caliber operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28800vph) and offers a 70-hour power reserve with its 27 jewels and double-direction winding rotor.
Tudor Ranger comes with three different bracelet/strap alternatives: stainless steel, hybrid leather-rubber, and NATO-style fabric. Consisting of completely brushed surfaces, the stainless steel bracelet offers a unique combination in both durability and comfort categories. Thanks to the T-fit micro-adjustment mechanism on the clasp, the bracelet can fit any wrist. The black strap, where rubber and leather are used together, and the green, beige and red double-striped NATO straps offer the key to the comfort that comes with lightness.
Tudor Ranger, like the other Tudor models, is a watch that manages to achieve the optimum in many respects. A quality case, timeless design, high-end caliber, and affordable price. The list price of the steel bracelet option is CHF 2,900, while the strap options have a list price of CHF 2,600.
