The Laings Journal
To mark the 70th anniversary of the British North Greenland Expedition, TUDOR presents the Ranger model, a tool watch celebrating the spirit of this daring adventure, complete with Manufacture Calibre MT5402, a 39-millimetre case and a clasp with rapid adjustment system.
Just three years after the registration of “The TUDOR” trademark, Hans Wilsdorf registered the “Ranger” name in 1929. At this time, the name was not used to indicate a model specifically, but instead to signify a timepiece in the TUDOR collection that carried a unique adventurous spirit. The TUDOR Ranger developed its distinct identity in the 1960s, with its large Arabic numerals, generously coated with luminescent material at 3 (for non-date models), 6, 9 and 12 o’clock as well as its characteristic arrow-shaped hands – rounded for the hours hand and angular for the seconds hand.
Inspired by the Legendary Archetype
The TUDOR Ranger encapsulates the spirit of the TUDOR tool watches worn by the members of the British North Greenland Expedition from 1952 to 1954, presenting a robust, practical and attainable instrument. The expedition was a monumental moment for TUDOR in affirming its rightful place as leaders in exploration timepieces, marking one of the very first long-term tests, under real-world extreme conditions for TUDOR watches to undergo the treacherous conditions that they are built to sustain. After monitoring variations in precision of their timepieces throughout the expedition, one member wrote to TUDOR to say that his watch “maintained remarkable precision” and that “at no time did it need to be rewound by hand”.
The new Ranger model draws inspiration from the aesthetic standards established in the course of its history, especially its dial with Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock, whilst incorporating new state-of-the-art technical elements like the TUDOR “T-fit” clasp with rapid adjustment system. To echo this functional heritage, the 39-millimetre case and the bracelet of the Ranger are satin-brushed, creating an overall matt finish, in the purest spirit of a “tool watch”. The historic influence is further perpetuated in the dial of the watch, with beige hour markers painted in luminescent material, contrasting with the matt black dial, and matching with the tone of the TUDOR shield logo and inscriptions.
Manufacture Calibre MT5402
The Ranger model is equipped with Manufacture Calibre MT5402. Its construction has been designed to ensure robustness, longevity, reliability and precision due to its variable-inertia balance, which is held in place by a sturdy traversing bridge with two points of fixation. Thanks to this balance and the non-magnetic silicon balance spring, the Manufacture Calibre MT5402 has been certified as a chronometer by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), with its performance going beyond the standards set by this independent institute. The 70-hour power reserve of the Manufacture Calibre MT5402 is “weekend-proof”, which enables the wearer to take the watch off on a Friday evening and put it back on again on Monday morning without having to wind it.
Versatile Strap and Bracelet
The new Ranger model is available with three versatile bracelet options. For its signature fabric strap, TUDOR chose an olive-green bracelet with two red stripes and one beige stripe woven by the craftsmen. The Ranger is also offered with an entirely satin-brushed steel bracelet, with the TUDOR “T-fit” clasp equipped with a system for rapid length adjustment. Easy to use, requiring no tools and offering five positions, this practical system allows wearers of the TUDOR Ranger to carry out a fine, instant adjustment of the total length of the bracelet along an adjustment window of 8 mm. Finally, a third bracelet option is offered, in natural rubber and fabric-like textured black leather, with beige topstitching and a folding clasp.
Our experts are on hand to guide you through the collections of TUDOR. Visit the Glasgow showroom and explore online to discover more.