The Tudor Hydronaut story started in the late 1990s with the Hydronaut I. Then, the Tudor Hydronaut II arrived 10 years later in 2009. Indeed, the two variations represent a symbol of the longevity of the brand's family of beautiful dive watches. As a watch with 40mm stainless steel case sporting tapered lugs, there is a seamless 60-minute bezel crafted from steel, with a black dial featuring luminous markers and hands.
It goes without saying that when someone pays a large sum for something, the hope is to get their money’s worth. A luxury watch is one of the most popular choices for investments as they’re made incredibly well and should last a long time, especially if treated with a lot of love and care. However, is it possible to own a luxury watch, wear it every single day, and still have it in good condition? This is definitely a big conundrum for most people who invest in a luxury watch like Tudor. The goal is to have something that not only looks good and tells the time, but also a robust and sturdy watch that can take the daily ravages that happen on the road or just anywhere you go. A lot of watch brands have since started launching their sportier lines that are designed to take a beating and still be completely functional and resistant to damage, which also means they’re built to be resistant to water damage. The result is a watch you can wear all the time with confidence that it can get you through the day without any problems at all, and there’s no watch like the Tudor Hydronaut watch that is perfect for this very job. At first glance, it does look like most military diver watches out there, however, for its generally lower price than its luxury competitors with almost the same features, it’s no surprise why the Tudor Hydronaut is such a hit through the years. Add to that, it has a large water resistance threshold of up to 200 meters or 660 feet.
Prices at a Glance: Most Popular Tudor Hydronaut Watches
Model
Price (approximate)
Size
Features
Tudor Hydronaut II Automatic White Dial Black Rubber Ladies Watch
The original Tudor Hydronaut was released in the early 1990s as the brand’s new diver watch line. The watches had a solid and robust casing with a beautiful round silhouette that’s made to look thicker with a colored band to frame the main dial. On the bezel itself are engraved numbers to mark sixty minutes just evenly spaced out. However, there are also models of the Tudor Hydronaut I that forgo the large numbers on the 5 and 10 minute marks of the bezel and replace them with minimal indexes and also a red swoosh. There’s also a small calendar at the three o’ clock mark. The design is then finished off with luminous indexes so that the wearer will have excellent visibility even in different lighting conditions. The Hydronaut I becomes more varied with different bracelet options as well as watch diameters to suit both men and women, as well as different wrist sizes. As we all know, different diameters are flattering to certain types of wrists which is a nice touch that the brand did despite them being a more affordable luxury watch house. The Hydronaut I also sports a water resistance of 200 meters for most models while some are at the minimum of 150 meters maximum depth. The prices for the Hydronaut I models are on the more affordable side with pieces starting at just under $2000 to as much as $4000 depending on the edition as well as the complexity.
Prices for the Tudor Hydronaut II Watches
In 2009, the Hydronaut was succeeded by the Tudor Hydronaut II. Although they are both still very much active in the buy and sell marketplace of luxury watches, the Hydronaut II seems like the logical next step or even the big sibling of the Hydronaut I. In terms of design touches, the Hydronaut II takes the best features of its predecessor and switches some things up in the most subtle way. The most noticeable of its changes are the minute markings on the dial. The Hydronaut II puts the minute markers in an embossed box to clearly separate them from the smaller indices. They also appear to be more organized and structured than the minute bezel on the Tudor Hydronaut I. What they do have in common with each other is that the 5 and 10 minute mark are still omitted in favor of a color accent or just the plain metal bezel – probably to add a more unexpected twist as well as a more identifiable bezel design in such a competitive market. Aside from this, the design of the bezel also has slight variations in between models. There are units where the bezel sides are smooth and polished while there are also a lot of options where the bezels have very small ridges similar to most diver or sports watches. The Hydronaut II still retains the same luminous indexes for maximum visibility as well as the water resistance rating of 200 meters of maximum submersion. The prices of the Hydronaut II are, as expected, slightly higher than that of its predecessor, though not by a lot. The average price for this model falls under the price range of $2500 to $3000, while pre-owned pieces go for as low as $1700.
Is the Tudor Hydronaut watch a good investment?
As far as luxury watches go, the Tudor Hydronaut watch probably won’t fetch the same value increase as its more expensive competitors, however, it still does experience a good return of investment over a longer period of time. This might not be the best option if you’re looking for a fast return within the next few years as the market selling price for the pre-owned Tudor Hydronaut watches go for less or just as much as the average price of the timepiece. In terms of longevity, the Tudor Hydronaut watch won’t disappoint. It might not skyrocket in terms of value in the next few years, but it’s a watch option that’s sure to last a very long time and look good as it ages. Despite it being robust and built to withstand incredible depths of water, the design itself is quite understated and elegant and will look absolutely stunning on almost any kind of outfit you can think of. You can simply switch up the straps to better suit the style that you’re planning on going for that day and you would be instantly set to go on your merry way.
History Behind the Tudor Hydronaut Collection
For the longest time, the Tudorbrand has been constantly identified as a subsidiary of Rolex which has inevitably put it underneath the watch giant’s shadow. It is no secret that Rolex is easily one of the most identifiable horology houses around the world which makes it that much harder to separate yourself from its incredible prestige. It took the brand quite some time to develop their own name and identity in the world of luxury watches until they embraced their marginally lower price range but incredibly build quality and craftsmanship. The Tudor Hydronaut Watch was first launched in the 1990s where it definitely became one of the watches that helped set Tudor free from the shackles of its parent company. The market made a gradual realization that the brand had actually pretty much the same qualities and features of watches that are literally ten times its price.
The Hydronaut was one of the brand’s official entries into the realm of sports watches and diver watches. It had a respectable water resistance of 150 to 200 meters and it had a metal bezel with large minute markings to show 60 minutes. The material of the bracelets varied between leather, rubber, and metal to give a lot of options for personalization. After a decade, the Hydronaut II was launched as a revamp of its predecessor. The metal bezel got an update where the large minute markers got more condensed and defined into an embossed rectangle. It kept the options for bracelets as well as the luminous indexes to keep everything very visible no matter the lighting conditions.
3 Reasons to Buy a Tudor Hydronaut Watch
1. They have luxury features at a respectable price tag.
The brand earned its name from being a more affordable luxury watch with same functions and features as competitors that cost ten times its price or maybe even more. If you don’t really want to spend an incredibly large sum and you appreciate the beautiful elegance of a Tudor watch, then there’s truly no better option than the trusty Tudor Hydronaut watch.
2. The Tudor brand is an inspiring story of finding your identity to step out of the shadows.
In a world where large companies are now being held more accountable and constantly questioned for their morality and company values, Tudor’s is a story that most people can relate to. They’re a brand that produces consistent high quality goods at the fraction of a price of what the same thing would be in a more expensive boutique. They went through a past where they kept getting mislabelled as a dopey younger sibling of Rolex. Now, they’re one of the most respected horology houses in existence. It’s certainly more satisfying to patronize the underdog companies that produce the same level of quality than the giants.
3. They will last a few lifetimes if treated well.
Despite its marginally lower price tag, the Tudor Hydronaut will probably last just as long as a watch that’s triple or quadruple its price. It’s still a watch that’s made to last and also made to be passed down from generation to generation. And even in all that time, it would still be a stylish and respectable choice that would look amazing on almost any attire and have incredible durability.
Tudor Hydronaut: Affordable Luxury Dive Watches
Diver’s watches are generally a fantastic choice whenever you’re shopping for a good luxury watch to invest in. They’re always made to last thanks to a robust casing design and a sizable capacity for water resistance. They will most probably have luminous indexes to keep visibility great even in different types of lighting, and they’re just truly designed to be worn and enjoyed every single day. However, what you can’t say about a lot of luxury diver’s watches is that they cost around $2,000 USD to $3,000 USD and this is where the Tudor Hydronaut completely blows the competition out of the water. Top-shelf features and quality for less than half the price? You’ll truly never get a better deal.
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