Introduced in 2018, the Tudor 1926’s name references the year Tudor’s name was registered and not an actual design dating that far back. 

Diameter: 39mm

Lug-to-lug: 46mm

Thickness: 9.31mm

Lug width is: 21mm

The watch has 100 meters of water resistance.

Looking at the face of this watch one can see that this is the opaline version, so you can see a white dial with blued hands, as well as applied blued markers and Arabic numerals at the even time positions. The dial features a waffle pattern which extends out to the minute markers, though this is broken up at the Tudor label near the 12 and the rotor self-winding label at the 6. There is a white date wheel at the 3. The watch features no lume and has a sapphire crystal.

The case itself is polished and the watch has a smooth polished bezel. The crown features the Tudor shield. The crown has four positions as the watch does feature a quick date-set in position two. The crown does screw down (position zero). In position one the watch can be wound. Position three allows the time to be set and the watch does hack.

The watch has a closed caseback. In terms of the bracelet, it is a steel seven-row format with the external links satin-brushed and the center links polished. Screws are used to affix the removable links. The clasp folds and has a safety catch, and uses spring-loaded ceramic ball bearings to secure the clasp. Sadly, there is no micro adjust.

Tudor lists this watch on their website as having the Calibre T601, and used to note it as the ETA 2824. The T601 is a Sellita movement, though depending on when it was built the 1926 could have the ETA 2824 instead. One can open the caseback to know for sure, though it is safe to assume newly built models are using the Sellita. I have assumed mine had the ETA but I have not confirmed and reports indicate the changeover did happen before the website was updated. Regardless, in both cases these are self-winding 4 Hertz movements with approximately 38 hours of power reserve. Also, Tudor modifies the movements and, back in the ETA era, were known to use Top grade, which as I understand it is within COSC standards without being COSC certified.

In terms of measured accuracy I used the Watch Accuracy Meter app on my cell phone to measure the watch in five different positions, getting an average gain of 0.4 seconds per day with a positional range of -4 seconds per day to +4 seconds per day. So my own measurements do correspond with other reports that Tudor does regulate these movements to a high degree of precision.

My overall thoughts:

The positives:

• Extreme accuracy

• Easy-to-read dial

• Unobtrusive date

The negatives:

• Short power reserve

• No micro-adjust on the bracelet

• 21mm lug width not ideal for finding alternative straps

Overall, I think the 1926 line is a good option to consider if you’re looking for something akin, but not identical, to a Rolex Datejust (for far, far less money). Given the lack of lume and the look of this seven-row bracelet the watch presents more on the dressy side than the sporty side, though strap changes can help with that. Purportedly, 20mm straps work okay with this but I have not confirmed; of course custom leather for 21mm is always an option and Tudor does sell this line on leather straps if favored over a bracelet. The limited power reserve is disappointing for those who like to take their watch off for the weekends but it isn’t a particularly big deal given the quick-set date. I find the waffle pattern subtle and interesting but others may find this line boring to look at. Some may be disappointed at the lack of an in-house movement but given how low it keeps the price I think it’s a fair trade-off, especially given how much work Tudor did to the movement to actually make it accurate. In all, I think this is a solid choice for those looking for a luxury watch at a lower price point to function as a sort of go anywhere do anything watch.