If you’re researching luxury watches because it’s always been a dream of yours to own one, the first thing you’ll want to do is look at the reputation of each brand. Two of the most popular types of luxury watches are the Tudor and the Omega watches, and today we’re going to look at each of these watches in detail. If you’re wondering if luxury watches are worth the money you spend on them, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Every millimeter of these watches is made to perfection with only high-quality, high-tech items, which means they always run accurately and efficiently 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Let’s take a look at some of the best features of both of these watches so that researching Tudor vs. Omega is a lot easier on you.
How Did the Two Brands Start? Heritage and History of Both Watches
Both Tudor and Omega have a lot of history, but Tudor watches were invented by the founder of Rolex, so you know they’re good. If you ask anyone who loves luxury watches which of the two watches is the “best,” you’ll naturally get many different answers, proving that the answer is always subjective. That being said, both Tudor and Omega have pros and cons, so it is up to you how to compare features so you know which one is right for you.
One of the many interesting tidbits about Tudor watches is that many of their models, including their Submariner, have been used by the French Navy and the US Navy SEALs, which proves how good their watches are.
Omega’s history is a little more colorful but no less sophisticated. The Omega Speedmaster, for instance, was the first watch to be worn to the moon, as well as in most James Bond movies. Their Seamaster watch, released in 1948, was attached to a plane and flown over the North Pole in 1956. The watch we know today as the Omega Seamaster 300 was introduced in 1957 and is water-resistant to 200 meters (roughly 650 feet), even though the number 300 is in their name.
The Omega Seamaster watches have been in every James Bond movie made since 1995. These include the following movies:
- Casino Royale
- Die Another Day
- GoldenEye
- No Time to Die
- Skyfall
- Spectre
- Quantum of Solace
- The World Is Not Enough
- Tomorrow Never Dies
The Speedmaster has also caught the attention of NASA, who allowed crewmen on several manned space missions since the 1960s to wear this watch.
Both Tudor and Omega are excellent dive watches, especially the Omega Seamaster and the Tudor Black Bay watches. These days, however, Omega’s most popular model is the Speedmaster, which was the first watch to go to the moon.
The Overall Quality of the Watches
As you can imagine, both Tudor and Omega are excellent watches. Tudor is not just Rolex’s little brother, but the inventor of the watch set out to make a super high-quality luxury watch like Rolex but which the average individual can afford. Tudor watches are solid and built to last.
Indeed, the general quality of Tudor watches is very solid. Since the inception of this watch, Tudor keeps reinventing itself and going back to the promise of a luxury watch that is also very affordable, and most experts and critics agree that they have been successful in this endeavor.
Omegas are high in quality as well, taking a total of eight days and 10 different tests to complete the testing period on each and every watch. The introduction of their Master Chronometer movements means that the watch tells time very accurately.
Keep in mind that these are also mechanical watches, which means they are usually accurate within +/- 15 seconds per day. Omega’s watches, however, are accurate within -4/+6 seconds per day and are COSC-certified.
Finally, both Tudor and Omega rarely, if ever, become damaged on the way to the retail outlets. Most problems with both of these watches usually stem from the store itself and not the actual watch company. Of course, if you do have problems that may be the company’s fault, both Tudor and Omega will repair your watch for free. Tudor offers a full five-year warranty on any watch made after January 2020, and Omega offers a five-year warranty for any watch made after July of 2018. Both companies offer shorter warranties for watches made before those two dates.
The Accuracy of the Watches
One of the things that makes luxury watches so expensive is their accuracy when it comes to telling time. As you likely already know, all watches promise to be accurate within a certain number of seconds per day, and if their accuracy is good enough, they can be COSC-certified, which means their watches have been proven to be that accurate. Omega watches, for example, are accurate within 0/+5 seconds per day if they have a Master Chronometer movement and within -4/+6 seconds per day in watches that do not have a Master Chronometer. (The watches made with a Master Chronometer are METAS-certified; only those without a Master Chronometer are COSC-certified.)
Tudor watches are also COSC-certified and are therefore accurate to within -4/6+ seconds per day. The company switched to movements produced in-house in 2016. While giving them more control over the precision of the timekeeping, it is still guaranteed to be extremely accurate regardless of the model.
Are Tudor and Omega Watches Waterproof?
Each model of each of these watches offers a different number when it comes to being waterproof or water-resistant. With Omega, their dress watches tend to have a water-resistant number that is below 330 feet (100 meters), while their sports watches are water-resistant anywhere up to around 2,000 feet (600 meters), depending on the model you choose. And the numbers do vary. The De Ville Prestige, for example, promises water-resistance to around 100 feet (30 meters), while the Seamaster Planet Ocean is water-resistant to nearly 2,000 feet (600 meters).
Tudor watches are also waterproof to certain distances and water-resistant to at least 330 feet (100 meters). In fact, all of Tudor’s watches are water-resistant from 330 feet (100 meters) to around 1,640 feet (500 meters). The Tudor Royal is water-resistant to 330 feet (100 meters), while the Tudor Pelagos is water-resistant to 1,640 feet (500 meters). Keep in mind that with all models for both Tudor and Omega, the company lists the water-resistant stats for you so that you don’t put them in a situation where they may become damaged in any way.
What About Their Resale Value?
One of the many reasons why people buy luxury watches is because they tend to keep their value year after year, which is good for people who decide they want to hand down their watch to future generations. In fact, you can even sell it and make a little bit of money in many circumstances, even though the amount of money you get can vary depending on the model, the condition of the watch, and whether or not you still have the original box and paperwork that came with it.
This being said, the average Tudor watch will depreciate in value roughly 0.7% each year. This is an incredibly small number compared to most other watch brands, but it is still a negative money that you should keep in mind if you’re going to keep it for a very long time. Some Tudor models, for instance, will maintain their value over time, which is good.
Omega watches offer very similar numbers, depreciating roughly 6.5% each year that you own yours. Just like Tudor watches, there are certain models – think some of the Speedmaster watches – that will maintain their value. It’s essentially up to you to decide how important this feature is and which model you should be looking at while shopping for the perfect watch.
The Bottom Line: What Do These Watches Cost?
As you can imagine, both Tudor and Omega watches are very pricey, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re out of your price range. Each model of Tudor and Omega will cost something different, so you can always find one that is within your price range. Below are prices for a few Omega watches, which usually range from $2,550 to $137,000:
- Prestige: $2,550
- AquaTerra: $2,750
- Speedmaster: $5,350
- Globemaster: $6,900
- LadyMatic: $8,000
- Tourbillion: $137,000
Tudor watches range from $1,800 to $5,900, making them much less expensive than Omega watches. Here are the prices of a few of the best Tudor watches on the market today:
- 1926: $1,800
- Clair de Rose: $2,200
- Black Bay GMT: $3,725
- Black Bay Bronze: $4,150
- Fastrider Black Shield: $5,050
- Advisor: $5,900
Keep in mind that many of these watches are expensive because they have features you might not consider important. Diamonds, for instance, serve no purpose on a watch other than to make it look good. If you don’t swim or go in the water with your watch, there’s no need to get one that offers excellent water resistance. In other words, before you go shopping for a luxury watch, decide which features are important and which ones aren’t. When you research only watches that have what you need and nothing else, you can save yourself a lot of money.
Why Buy an Omega Watch?
The differences between Omega and Tudor watches are sometimes subtle because they are both excellent watches built to last. You will likely lean toward getting an Omega if you like or want the following:
- The colorful history it offers.
- Timekeeping that is exceptionally accurate.
- Watches that are consistently good in quality through the years.
- Watches that are both elegant and very sturdy.
- Watches with a transparent caseback to the co-axial movement part.
If you want a durable watch built to last, the Omega is for you. When it comes to luxury watches that are reasonably priced, this is one brand that can’t be beat. They are not the most elegant-looking watches on the market today, but you can still find Omega watches for specific purposes, such as attending a formal occasion and even diving. Sometimes, the variety and cost are enough to make people want this particular brand of watch.
Between the classic and modern design and the various sizes and colors available, Omega watches are top notch. Their Seamaster and Speedmaster are their most recognizable watches, but all of their models are distinguished-looking and are true eye-catchers. Indeed, if you go out in public with an Omega watch on, people are sure to notice. This attractive yet sturdy watch is built to last and comes in hundreds of designs and styles, so finding the right one for you should be easy.
Why Buy a Tudor Watch?
On the other hand, Tudor watches are good for people who expect the following out of their luxury watches:
- Lots of aesthetic appeal and beauty
- One that tends to hold its value through the years
- One that offers excellent timekeeping
Most watch enthusiasts agree that Tudor watches are more than just the baby brother of Rolexes. The company is determined to proceed and improve on every part of making this watch, so that you continue to have the variety, appearance, and reliability of their watches. Tudor may not be as old as Omega, but they are still growing by leaps and bounds today, and it looks like that trend will continue for many years to come.
Tudor watches look great on the wrist and are easily recognized by anyone who is a watch enthusiast. The watches have a clean, sleek look with several unique features. First of all, they put “snowflake” hands on the dial, which attracts attention and makes it easier to tell the time. Second, on many models, they have a triangle where the number 12 is located. These and other features make the watch a very nice-looking watch, not to mention one that is aesthetically appealing.
When it comes to choosing between Tudor and Omega watches, the decision can be difficult. But keep in mind that both watches are high-tech and high-quality watches that will last for many years to come. It’s up to you to go over the features and details of each watch so that you can decide for yourself which one to buy.