The Tudor Ranger has become a symbol of rugged reliability and timeless adventure. From its expedition routes, it has evolved into one of Tudor’s most iconic models. In this Tudor Ranger review, we’ll explore the Ranger’s journey from its early beginnings to its role in the British North Greenland Expedition, examine how it transitioned into a distinct model with its own identity, and delve into the modern iterations that continue to captivate watch enthusiasts worldwide.
The birth of an expedition icon
Who would have thought that the British Army’s expedition to North Greenland in 1952 would mark the birth of a watch icon, The Tudor Ranger. Whilst the watches worn by the army in 1952 didn’t bear the Ranger inscription on their dials, the concept of a reliable, affordable and adventurous expedition watch was born. I would love to have been part of the expedition party and I would die for an original 1952 army issue Tudor Oyster Prince. What a timepiece to own!
The Ranger name and the 1952 expedition
The Tudor Ranger has a history spanning nearly 100 years. It’s truly remarkable to think that Hans Wilsdorf registered the ‘Ranger’ name back in 1929, just three years after he registered the ‘Tudor’ trademark. I love the heritage of this watch and the fascinating journey it’s been on, being born from the experience, not the looks, of the Tudor Oyster Prince!
In the early years, the ‘Ranger’ name was used to acknowledge a hint of adventure to other models of Tudor watch in the family collection. A key point in the Ranger history was triggered when the Tudor Oyster Prince was selected by Hans Wilsdorf to support the British North Greenland Expedition from 1952 to 1954. During this expedition the Tudor Oyster Prince was subjected to temperatures as low as -50° F, heavy use in rugged terrain and a daily dip in ice cold waters.
Despite the extreme terrain and harsh environment, in November 1953, JD Walker, Captain of the Royal Engineers, wrote to Rolex to express his admiration for the Tudor Oyster Prince, commenting on the reliability and accuracy of the watch throughout the expedition.
A model of its own
It wasn’t until the 1960s that the Tudor Ranger was launched as a model in its own right, inspired by the adventurousness of the British North Greenland Expedition and the outstanding performance of the Tudor Oyster Prince throughout the journey back in 1952. Whilst the Tudor Ranger paid tribute to the North Greenland Expedition and the Tudor Oyster Prince, there are no technical or aesthetic similarities between the two models. The Tudor Ranger is more a spiritual tribute to the 7809 and from that experience and story, Tudor’s field watch, the Ranger, was born.
However, the true identify of a Tudor Ranger was quite obscure until the 1980s, when it received its own case reference number, with the introduction of the 90000 series. Prior to that in the 1960s and 1970s, they were manufactured in same model reference numbers as Tudor Oysters, Oyster Princes and Oyster Dates, which blurred the lines and made distinguishing them a challenge for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
This evolution created two distinct generations of the Tudor Ranger. The early years, represented by the 7900s series, shared case references with other models, reflecting a transitional phase in its development. The later introduction of the 90000 series in the 1980s not only solidified the Ranger’s unique identity but also introduced refined design elements that have since become hallmarks of the collection. Together, these two generations illustrate the journey of the Tudor Ranger from a tribute to adventure to a model with its own undeniable legacy.
The evolution of the Tudor Ranger watch and its key features and design
In 1969, a subtle change was made from the Tudor Rose logo to the Tudor Shield logo. Personally, I prefer the Tudor Shield logo, so it was a change I approve of.
The features we recognise today in the Tudor Ranger, of Arabic luminescent numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 on a black dial together with an arrowhead hour hand, were also firmly established in the late 1960s and then embedded in the 90000 series from the 1980s. The integrated stainless-steel bracelet was introduced in 1969 under the name Ranger II.
In 2014 the Heritage Range was introduced with a 41mm case. For someone like me with larger wrists, the Tudor Heritage Ranger suits my wrist better than the Tudor Ranger 36mm or the Tudor Ranger 39mm. I especially love the red second hand, which adds a bold touch to the design.
In 2022, on the 70th anniversary of the British North Greenland Exhibition, Tudor launched the latest 39mm Ranger with a MT5402 Calibre Movement and a clasp with a rapid adjustment system, to celebrate the daring adventure in the 1950s. This model seamlessly combines classic design with modern developments.
Why the Tudor Ranger stands out today
The current models are popular luxury timepieces, combining simplicity with rugged sophistication. They all come with a five-year guarantee from Tudor and at a price of £2,580 for the leather and fabric strap versions and £2,860 for the steel bracelet, they are very good value too.
The power reserve of 70 hours and water resistance down to 330 feet provide great features for outdoor adventure and the aesthetics have an active, rugged and yet sophisticated air to them. I love the original Tudor Rose in the winding crown; a subtle nod to the roots of this luxury watch. I think they’re an outstanding example of a highly wearable luxury field watch and a great lower value alternative to the Rolex Explorer or IWC Pilots Watch Spitfire.
Final thoughts
The Tudor Ranger’s rich history, combined with its rugged design, makes it a hot contender for most. Whether you’re drawn to its adventurous spirit or its timeless elegance, it’s a watch that bridges the gap between heritage and practicality.
