A Regal Rendition

You can trace the Royal name back to the 1950s when TUDOR first used it in the dressy Oyster Royal Collection. And like the brand’s radically popular Black Bay lineup, Tudor reinvented the timepiece in 2020 as a sporty-chic alternative with an integrated bracelet. Last year, the brand added two new colourways to the model—chocolate brown and the salmon dial featured here.

The Tudor Royal, as it is known now, may play second fiddle to the Black Bay Collection in the popular consciousness; however, to overlook the attractive, value-laden package presented by the Royal would be a tragic case of hamartia.

As versatile as it is charismatic, the Tudor Royal is a clear example of that often over-used term…affordable luxury. While its name may have roots in the 50s, its new design is distinctly 70s. Born from the same heritage we see in Genta’s Royal Oak (or his Nautilus, for that matter), the Tudor Royal is positioned well in a competitive field of integrated bracelet sport watches that includes a wide range of offerings from the Tissot PRX to the Baume & Mercier Riviera and the Chopard Alpine Eagle.

Key Features of the Tudor Royal 41

While the watch is available in a variety of sizes, the case we have here is the 41mm in stainless steel. It is also a svelte 10.6mm thick, which makes it a highly wearable timepiece that would not get in the way of cuffs or jacket sleeves. When compared to its slab-sided cousins in the BB line, the Tudor Royal looks far more organic, with rounded mid-case edges and a nice blend of brushed and polished surfaces.

---

Advertisement

---

But what really sets it apart from other watches in this category is its notched bezel, rendered in alternating planes of cut grooves and polished squares. The design adds a touch of distinction—coming down on the chic end of sporty. Nonetheless, the watch features a screw down case back and crown (signed with the Tudor logo) and offers up a solid 100m of water resistance. It even has drilled lugs.

Under its sapphire crystal, we find the equally elegant radial-brushed salmon dial. Against this backdrop of lightplay, the polished Roman numerals positively shine. And while day/date setups can often appear clunky, the configuration we find here—with the day arcing through the 12 o’clock position—is well-balanced, transforming the complication into a feature, rather than simply a function.

The stainless steel integrated bracelet is a five-row creation with satin-brushed external and central links, divided by slender polished intermediate links. It has a signed folding clasp and safety catch, but, alas, no T-Fit system. The aesthetic is very complementary to the watch, itself, as well as being comfortable on wrist.

Inside, the Tudor Royal is powered by the self-winding Calibre T603. This is not an in-house movement, which certainly aids in keeping the price down. Instead, it is based on the workhorse Sellita SW 240. It has a smooth 4Hz sweep and a 38-hour power reserve.

---

Advertisement

---

SPECS

Case	316L Stainless Steel 41mm Diameter 47mm Lug to Lug 10.6mm Thick Integrated Bracelet Screw Down Crown & Case Back 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Sapphire Crystal Radial Brushed Dial Applied Roman Numerals Baton Handset Super-LumiNova
Movement	T603 25 Jewels 28 800bph 38-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Stainless 5-Link Bracelet /w Folding Clasp & Safely Catch

Tudor Royal 41mm Salmon Dial

---

Advertisement

---

Final Thoughts

If you are in the market for a versatile daily wear—perfect for the office, but equally suitable in more casual settings—the Tudor Royal is a smart choice. While the watch is available in other configurations—including diamond encrusted bezels—the reference featured here (available in four different sizes and a variety of dial colours) is very competitively priced. The case and bracelet finishing are what you might expect from a brand like Tudor, and the movement—while nothing special—is certainly a proven contender. Aesthetically, the Tudor Royal is more visually interesting than many other integrated bracelet sport watches, including much higher priced offerings such as the Rolex Day/Date, and yet it is available for a fraction of the price.

Of all the dial variants, I find the salmon to be the most attractive option. It has significant wrist presence without being loud. It looks great in the changing light, and—while currently trendy—I cannot imagine it going out of fashion.

Pricing & Availability

The Tudor Royal 41 retails for $2575 USD. For more information, please visit the brand website.

---

About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

---

Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.

Please understand that using any links to products on this site might result in us making money.