Rolex Tudor Oyster Prince Ranger

Ask people to name a desirable watch and I am willing to bet 99% of them will say Rolex. Founded all the way back in 1905 by Hans Wildorf (in London surpisingly), Rolex has a long and distinguished history of innovation and achievement. This includes:

• Creating the first wristwatch to be awarded a chronometer certificate.
• Creating the first waterproof case (the Oyster case).
• Developing the automatic watch as we know it today with the perpetual rotor.
• The first date display on a watch, and later the first day display as well.
• Pivotal in developing the diving watches we know and love today.
• Developed the GMT complication for following multiple timezones.

This innovation combined with very strong branding and advertising has made Rolex the most recognizable premium watch brand in the world (even the purists can't argue with that!). That also makes them expensive and second hand models are still very difficult to purchase at a reasonable price.

However, for those of us with more meagre budgets, the Rolex Tudor might be what you're looking for. This is essentially a second branding from Rolex, with watches generally combining genuine Rolex parts such as the Oyster case with different (often ETA) movements. They carry a lot of the same quality without such an absurd surcharge.

I love this watch becuase while it carries the Rolex logo, it looks very understated and the black dial / numbers give it a vintage military look. It also has the famous Oyster case as shown in the picture. The only problem is it is a tiny bit small (as many men's vintage watches are) which encourages my girlfriend to wear it as much as me.