In a surprise launch from a brand best known for its dive watches, Tudor just rolled out the 1926 Luna. It’s a thinnish, 39 mm dress watch with a moon phase – a first for Tudor – as well as a date, though in the typical Tudor style the case is still rated to 100 m and fitted to a solidly constructed steel bracelet. And unusually for a new launch from Tudor, the 1926 Luna is equipped with an ETA (or Sellita) calibre, which means lower specs than models powered by Tudor’s in-house movements, but also substantially more affordable at just US$2,800 or CHF2,400.

The 1926 Luna debuts in three dial colours, including a champagne iteration that was conceived with the help of Jay Chou, a Taiwanese singer who’s one of the most famous musicians in the Mandarin-speaking world.

Initial thoughts

Tudor has long excelled at sports watches with high specs and low prices – making them some of the best value propositions out there – but dress watches have always been a weakness. The brand has made several attempts at dress watches with mixed results.

The 1926 Luna, on the other hand, is much more promising. The design is classical, even a little conservative, but the look is appealing. The brushed dial in metallic colours give this a much more modern look than the rest of the 1926 line, which appears a little dated.

Purists will complain about the date window, and it probably looks better on a leather strap than a bracelet, but the 1926 Luna is a strong proposition in its price segment.

Priced around US$1,500 less than a Tudor dive watch with an in-house movement and steel bracelet, the 1926 Luna is one of the most affordable watches in the brand’s catalogue. Granted, the ETA equivalent movement inside is far from the industrial sophistication of Tudor’s Kenissi manufacture movements, but the price easily justifies it.

Lunar launch

Tudor has employed very, very few complications in its offerings over the years, and the 1926 Luna is its first moon phase-equipped model.

The watch sticks to the design language of the 1926 line, but streamlines the aesthetic for a more contemporary look. Gone is the pattern dial, which is replaced by a simple radially brushed finish in metallic colours with contrasting markers and print. One of the three launch models is a champagne dial with a black moon phase indicator that was the brainchild of Mr Chou, a longtime Tudor ambassador.

At 39 mm in diameter and 10.1 mm high, the polished steel case has relatively compact proportions, suiting the dress watch-type aesthetic. But it’s still robust and rated to 100 m of water resistance.

Finishing with alternating brushed and polished surfaces, the seven-link bracelet with a safety-lock clasp might be too much metal for a dress watch, but replacing it with a strap is easy.

The movement inside is the T607-9. Though unspecified, the movement is likely an ETA 2892 with moon phase or its Sellita equivalent, hence the relatively short 38-hour power reserve.

Key facts and price

Tudor 1926 Luna
Ref. 91560-67050

Diameter: 39 mm
Height: 10.1 mm
Material: Steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. T607-9
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, and moon phase
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Steel bracelet

Limited edition: Regular production
Availability: Now at Tudor boutiques and retailers
Price: US$2,800; CHF2,400; or 3,700 Singapore dollars

For more information, visit Tudorwatch.com.