The Association Between Tudor and Rolex

Tudor and Rolex are two names in the watch industry synonymous with quality and precision. While the brands are known to be associated with one another, few people know the details of the brands’ relationship or whether Tudor is an imprint of Rolex.

This is important information if you’re a budding collector. If you buy a second hand Tudor watch, are you actually buying a Rolex product? If Tudor and Rolex are associated with each other, do different manufacture dates make pieces more or less valuable?

Same Founder, Different Vision

If you know the history of Rolex, then you know that one of the brand’s founders was Hans Wilsdorf, but you may not know that Wilsdorf also started Tudor. Together with his brother-in-law, Wilsdorf grew the Rolex brand into a global phenomenon. Today, Rolex stands as not only one of the world’s most sought-after watch manufacturers, but also as an example of how a brand can become the archetype for premium quality and craftsmanship.

While the origins of Tudor reach back to the name being trademarked in 1926 by Wilsdorf, the brand itself didn’t officially get off the ground until 1946 as montres TUDOR SA. According to Wilsdorf, the purpose of Tudor was to provide access to high-quality Swiss timepieces without the price tag associated with Rolex. Tudor watches used the same cases as Rolex, but the internal mechanisms were “off-the-shelf” in design.

Tudor Watches Today

Because of the close association with Rolex, Tudor watches today are considered functional, accessible and collectible. A second hand Tudor watch in great condition can bring in a lot of money depending on its rarity, and at the same time, a new Tudor watch is considered a fashion statement among modern watch collectors.

Although Rolex and Tudor are not the same brand, they both share a common origin and a dedication to Swiss precision in design and engineering. While Rolex is still known as the gold standard by which all other watches are measured, Tudor offers access to Rolex-like quality and craftsmanship at a lower price point.

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Hublot’s Partnership with the NFL

LVMH-owned brand Hublot, makers of lauded Swiss timepieces, has entered into an agreement with the National Football League (NFL) to become the official watch manufacturer of the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are a storied NFL team, and although the team is known for its association with Dallas, the Cowboys’ headquarters is actually located in Frisco, TX.

Companies in the United States often vie for official designation as the supplier of products and services to major sports franchises, and the Hublot deal marks a major step into the American market for the brand. While Hublot is a well-known brand among watch collectors and connoisseurs, it is not as well-known to the general American public. Through Hublot’s sponsorship of a major NFL team, the brand stands to gain more name recognition and potentially grow demand for its products in the US market.

Not the First Time

This, however, is not Hublot’s first foray into sports sponsorship. Hublot was a big sponsor of the FIFA World Cup event in 2014, and the brand has worked with FIFA since 2007. Additionally, Hublot has sponsored various basketball teams.

Sponsorship deals generally restrain a brand from sponsoring competing teams or leagues on an exclusive basis, and sponsored athletes will usually be required to use or promote the products of sponsors. Each deal, however, is unique, and regulations prohibit certain activities within sponsorship deals.

Big Promotion for Branding in the UK and Beyond

Both of these partnerships are designed to increase brand awareness and raise the social profile of Hublot in the United Kingdom and the United States. Today, a Hublot wristwatch UK dealer is more likely to draw in potential buyers due to the high-profile FIFA sponsorship deal, and Americans are also likely to take note due to the Cowboys deal.

You’re also more likely to find Hublot wristwatch UK collectors searching for collectible and exclusive pieces due to these sponsorship deals. Many times, the time period prior to, during or directly after a sponsorship deal is a good time to look for collectibles. These times will either mean a larger demand for products, and therefore higher prices for buyers, or they will mean that items released during these times will be more likely to retain value in the years to come.

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