Until a few years ago, Tudor was always shadowed by its bigger sibling; Rolex. This was never intended, as Tudor was created to develop designs while using cheaper, more affordable components, attributing to one of many reasons why the Tudor Submariner 79090 is pursued today.

Housed in a Rolex case, with the famous logo on the crown, but running an ETA 2824-2 movement, it’s hard to argue bang for buck rests with Tudor.
At 39mm & 13mm thick, the sub is a perfectly proportioned diver for everyday wear – suits included.

Legibility has always been priority and witnessed by the no-fuss, large round and triangular indices with the beautifully executed Mercedes handset stacked above. Backed by the stunning semi-matte black dial, it is pure simplicity that wins here.
However, don’t be caught out in the dark, as the tritium lume is virtually non-existent, which is a shame given how well the dial reads in daylight hours.

While drilled lug holes lend to quick strap changes, the standard Tudor Oyster-type steel bracelet with folding links and a “Fliplock” clasp is rattly, thin and feels cheap compared to today’s modern offerings. Some say it adds charm however while comfortable on the wrist, given today’s prices, something more substantial would be appreciated.

Bezel action is smooth, bidirectional with no ratchet mechanism. The grip is moderate to high given the grooves were deepened on the Tudor Submariner 79090 line of watches.

Overall the Tudor Submariner is an excellent proposition for those wishing to play the vintage game, but not pay Rolex prices (a mantra echoed since Tudor was introduced over 6 decades ago). You better get in quick though, as prices are continually rising and soon Tudor Submariners will be far beyond the realm of what they were built for all those years ago.
A watch meant for those who couldn’t — or wouldn’t— pay for a Rolex.