While models like the Black Bay and Pelagos tend to hold the headlines for Tudor, one of my personal favourites is the Ranger, the pared back, utilitarian field watch that’s ready for adventure at the drop of a hat. For 2025, three years after its 2022 revival, Tudor are finally expanding the collection. They’re introducing a new size and colour to the range, with the Tudor Ranger 36mm and Dune White editions.
Starting with the new sizing, 36mm (making it a sporty challenger to the Rolex OP perhaps?) is a fairly substantial reduction from the 39mm of the existing model. I think it works quite well for an adventure watch too because a smaller diameter means that there is less risk of impediment to the movement of your wrist, which can be vital when you’re scrambling up a scree slope or other expedition-style activity. At the same time, 2025 has generally been a year in favour of smaller watches (though larger sizes are starting to creep back in, in a big way) so it makes a lot of sense – opening up the watch to collectors who prefer vintage style proportions and giving it a unisex appeal.
In order to accommodate the reduced diameter, some of the other proportions have been reduced as well. The thickness is down to 11mm from 12mm and the lug width is down to 19mm from 20mm. On top of that, as there is less space inside the watch they’ve had to swap the movement, it’s now the Manufacture Calibres MT5400 instead of the MT5402. Fortunately, the two movements are from the same family of calibres and the only difference is the size for aesthetic reasons when seen through an exhibition caseback on certain Tudor models. They are otherwise the same with a 70-hour power reserve and COSC chronometer certification.
The Tudor 36mm is available on green fabric strap at £2,650 or steel bracelet at £2,930. It’s also available with either the standard black dial or the new Dune White. Speaking of which, let’s talk about the new colour scheme. As the name suggests it’s inspired by deserts but while it’s being launched at Dubai Watch Week – where we have been hands on with the 36mm edition – it’s not based on the sands of the UAE but Saudi Arabia. That’s because it is being launched to celebrate the news that Tudor is new official timing partner of the Dakar Rally, which has taken place in Saudi Arabia since 2020.
Despite being called Dune White, the colour is predominantly beige in keeping with the sandy theme. The Arabic numerals, which are based on the 1960s version of the Ranger, are then in black to provide a strong contrast that’s easy to read. There are spots of lume on the minute track to keep the watch readable in low light conditions paired with the lumed hands. Those hands are in the signature Ranger shape as well with the chunky arrow design of the hour hand.
In addition to being presented on the new 36mm edition, the Dune White dial is also being added to the older 39mm model as well. It has the same pricing as the existing 39mm model, meaning £2,740 on fabric strap and £3,010 on steel bracelet. I like the expansion of the Tudor Ranger collection and this feels like the natural way to do it. It’s not particularly fancy or daring, just good, solid watch design that is sure to be popular.
Price and Specs:
More details at Tudor.
Hm, I would be prepared to wager that Tudor are getting a little tired to being compared to Rolex, even though they are so to speak, out of the same stable, but, maybe that’s because the styling cues normally mimic (to some extent), those of Rolex. However, this new release is akin to being the new young filly, compared to the old hunter and is fresh not tired and worn from being ridden daily by the “old colonel” types.
Nice watch, but not one I would personally buy. My vote, and similar cash exchange would be spent on the newly updated Longines spirit.