While in these respects Tudor and Rolex movements diverge, both companies test their prototypes the same way. In a lab just a few metres from Tudor’s conceptors, designs are put through their paces using identical processes and equipment to the sister brand – indeed, many of the machines here bear the Rolex logo. The common goal of the machinery is to artificially age prototypes and see how they fare. So, there’s a device that rapidly twists the winding stem, another that repeatedly sets the date and one that pushes and pulls the crown – some of these simulating up to 27 years of use. Elsewhere on the premises, there’s a room shared by Tudor and Rolex where prototype watches are subjected to shocks – dropped from heights, smashed with hammers – to make sure they can survive even the most careless owner. The only time Tudor uses its own dedicated equipment is to test unique functions, such as the alarm on the Tudor Heritage Advisor… More here.

Always good to see what justifies the cost of the better timepieces.

Categories: Articles, Watches