Just ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the moon is at its brightest, Tudor unveils its first ever watch with a moon phase complication… and some magic from Jay Chou.

The Moon occupies a special place in Eastern lore: in the Chinese tradition of the Mid-Autumn Festival, it symbolizes togetherness and the unity of family. It was the most fitting occasion to harness the creative energy from Tudor’s own family, particularly the multi-talented Jay Chou, to create the first ever moon phase watch in the collection.

The subtle sophistication of the 1926 line was the perfect place to start. This line is named after the year when “The Tudor” was first registered as a brand on behalf of Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf. It captures and stays true to Tudor’s philosophy, representing both beauty and value. Working with Tudor’s designers, Jay added his magic to the watch, and the result is as magnificent as a resplendent full moon lighting up the night sky. Framed by a perfectly polished bevel, the moon phase indicator appears at 6 o’clock on three brand new dials in 39mm stainless steel cases for the 1926: Blue, Black and Jay’s own, champagne-colour. The moon phase indicator for each dial is distinct, and Jay’s vision for the champagne-colour dial model has come to life in a truly fantastical way, with the phantom moonlight gold disc representing the moon hidden behind an inky black cutout that slowly disappears as the moon waxes and wanes.

In Roman mythology, Luna the goddess personifies the divine beauty and magical mystery of the moon. Most years have 12 full moons that appear once during a lunar cycle lasting roughly 29.5 days, but our calendar doesn’t necessarily sync up perfectly, so some years might see 13 full moons. This is what makes the moon phase complication so mesmerizing – the watch measures our 24-hour days right down to the very second. Meanwhile, it also measures a completely different cycle – the lunar cycle. Not only can you tell the time, but you can also tell when it’s time to… watch out for werewolves.

1. 39mm polished case in 316L steel
   
2. Domed dials in black, blue and champagne-colour, featuring a moon phase complication at 6 o’clock
   
3. Chronometer-grade Swiss self-winding mechanical Calibre T607-9 with moon phase indicator
   
4. Polished and satin-brushed bracelet in 316L steel
   
5. Five-year transferable guarantee, with no registration or periodic maintenance checks required

Since its founding in 1926, TUDOR has endeavoured to produce the best possible watches at the best possible price. This mission, bold then as it is now, is inspired by the vision of the brand’s founder Hans Wilsdorf. The inventor of several cornerstones of modern fine watchmaking – wristwatch precision, waterproofness and the self-winding mechanism – Wilsdorf dreamed of devising a watch that was technically perfect while remaining affordable and so created the Tudor brand to bring his dream alive. The 1926 models form part of this uncompromising heritage, promising their future owners no less than the best possible quality at the best possible price. Made from a block of one of the most robust stainless steels in existence, 316L steel, and highlighted with touches of satin-brushed rose gold, the case on these models is waterproof to 100 metres (330 feet) thanks to its screw-down crown and case back. The movement, the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking expertise, is finely decorated despite not being visible, and is adjusted to the highest chronometry standards in the watchmaking industry. The hands and embossed dials are crafted by the most meticulous professionals in the field. Finally, the metal bracelet stands out thanks to the quality of its design, manufacturing and finish. All these things and more come together to produce the famous Tudor quality, a philosophy summarized by the brand’s signature, “Born To Dare” – always striving to do better.

The dials of the 1926 model are a fine example of Tudor’s thorough attention to detail. Domed for a vintage touch, the delicate design points to Tudor’s origins. These dials have applique even-numbered Arabic numerals between faceted arrow-shaped hour markers. The wealth of detail on the dials of the 1926 line creates a striking and intricate play of light that perfectly complements the sword-shaped hands with their matching colours, and the moon phase indicator is a novel touch that adds a bit of poetry to the watch.

The metal bracelet has taken pride of place in Tudor design from the very beginning. Much more than a mere accessory, it is an integral part of the brand’s aesthetic and practical heritage. The 1926 line naturally has a purpose-made bracelet designed with comfort, refinement and quality in mind. Made up of seven links of varying sizes, it closely follows the curve of the wrist. Its outer links are satin-brushed while those in the middle are polished – a variety of finish that enhances the elegant appearance of the watch. Meticulously assembled in accordance with Tudor’s longstanding skill in the field, the bracelet is flexible as well as strong.

Since its creation by Hans Wilsdorf in 1926, and in line with his vision of an ideal watchmaking product, Tudor has never stopped producing the most robust, durable, reliable and precise watches in existence today. Bolstered by this experience, and confident in the knowledge of the superior quality of its watches, Tudor offers a five-year guarantee on all its products. This guarantee does not require the watch to be registered or any periodic maintenance checks to be performed and is transferable should the watch change ownership during coverage. Tudor also recommends that its watches should be serviced approximately every 10 years depending on the model and the extent of its use on a day-to-day basis.

Tudor is an award-winning Swiss-made watch brand, offering watches with refined aesthetics, proven reliability and unique value for money. The origins of Tudor date back to 1926, when “The Tudor” was first registered as a brand on behalf of the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf. He created the Montres TUDOR SA Company in 1946 to offer watches with the quality and dependability of a Rolex, at a more affordable price point. Because of their robustness and affordability, throughout their history Tudor watches have been chosen by the boldest adventurers on land, underwater and on ice. Today, the Tudor collection includes emblematic models such as Black Bay, Pelagos, 1926 and Tudor Royal. Since 2015, Tudor has also offered mechanical Manufacture Calibres with multiple functions and superior performance.