Not too big, not too small, but just right: Tudor’s finally expanded the Ranger collection! Perhaps their biggest cult classic (besides the North Flag) has been given a new colour, plus a smaller case size.
When you tell people you own a Tudor, most enthusiasts will respond with something like, “Oh, nice! Which one – Black Bay or Pelagos?” That’s hardly a bad thing, of course. Both collections form the backbone of modern Tudor: the Black Bay is admired for its heritage-forward yet contemporary design, and the Pelagos’ aesthetics and engineering have kept the brand at the forefront of the modern sports watch scene.
Still, there are three other collections worth considering, with perhaps the most beloved being the Tudor Ranger. The no-nonsense tool watch of Tudor’s line-up, the Ranger has appeared in various forms, over the years, but disappeared for a time. After that period of absence, though, it was revived in 2014 with the 41 mm Heritage Ranger, followed by a more refined and better-scaled 39 mm version in 2022.
But while the other two collections, the 1926 and the Royal, have received new references and updates in recent years, it seemed as though the Ranger’s time was running out. Despite its 2022 return, the cult-favourite Ranger was left behind, fending for itself while other field watches surged ahead both technologically and aesthetically.
But good news for us Ranger fans: the drought has finally ended. For this year’s Dubai Watch Week, the collection has been expanded with a new dial colour and size, bringing the total to six new references. The main focus of this launch is the new 36 mm case, 11 mm thick – a long-requested update and a return to form.
With a completely utilitarian, satin-brushed finish, the new Rangers retain the rugged specifications of the originals, including 100 m water resistance and a screw-down crown. However, subtle changes improve the Ranger’s comfort and subtlety on the wrist.
Compared with the 39mm model’s 12mm thickness, the 36mm version is slightly slimmer. The new reference measures up at 11mm and features a 19mm lug width for a more compact, vintage-leaning silhouette. That narrower width may make strap-hunting a bit trickier, but Tudor offers the new size on either its T-Fit micro-adjustable steel bracelet or a green NATO-style fabric strap with red and beige accents.
Alongside the new case size, Tudor has introduced a new dial called Dune White. An understated, lightly grained cream tone, it may also act as an indirect alternative to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Beige dial. The Rangers’ take on beige, though, is far more field-oriented, inspired by the sand dunes crossed during the Dakar Rally.
Setting it apart further from its sister brand are the black printed Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9. Unlike previous Ranger references, the numerals on the Dune White are not lumed; instead, small lume plots sit just outside them on the minute track. The hands of the Dune White models are blackened to distinguish them from their black-dial counterparts, and they’re filled with beige Super-LumiNova for reliable night-time visibility.
While the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation’s preference for solid casebacks continues with the Tudor Ranger, it’s an appropriate choice for a field watch of this kind. Visible or not, the new 36 mm Ranger is powered by the Calibre MT5400, the same movement used in Tudor’s other 36 mm models.
Developed in collaboration with Kenissi, the movement offers a dependable 70-hour power reserve, a silicon balance spring, and a 4Hz (28,800VpH) operating frequency. All in all, the MT5400 provides the same COSC-certified reliability as the 39 mm model’s MT5402, just in a slightly smaller format.
My Thoughts
Chatting with a few other watch enthusiasts, I’ve heard more than once that it’s getting harder for some people to feel excited about Tudor. I don’t blame them; to many, Tudor’s designs can seem a bit milquetoast compared with the Crown’s ubiquitous silhouettes. But Tudor’s core focus has always been accessibility and dependability, and these are two areas in which the brand succeeds in a big way.
My tastes usually run beyond my budget, as I tend to drool over increasingly ostentatious timepieces. Yet there’s always been a strange draw to Tudor for me, despite it being the antithesis of everything I normally look for in a watch. That’s why I jumped at the chance to get a Tudor Black Bay GMT with the Opaline dial, and why I’ve always enjoyed looking at the Tudor Ranger.
I’m glad they finally reduced the size to 36 mm, as the 39 mm case always felt a touch too large for the old-school design. I’m not entirely sold on the use of lume plots instead of lumed numerals, but then again, the black-dial version exists for those who prefer a more practical model.
Now that the Ranger comes in two dial options and a period-appropriate size, it’s about to get a lot more attention than it has since its 2022 relaunch. If and when I get my hands on one, I’ll watch it tick across my wrist with anticipation, while I wait patiently for the return of the North Flag…
References:
- 39mm: M79950-‘0008’ (Beige on steel) / ‘0011’ (Beige on NATO)
- 36mm: M79930-‘0001’ (Black on steel) / ‘0003’ (Black on NATO) / ‘0007’ (Beige on steel) / ‘0008 (Beige on NATO)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 39mm case diameter x 47mm lug-to-lug x 12mm thickness (39mm) / 36mm case diameter x 11mm thickness (36mm)
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Sunray brushed blue, silver, or copper (Large) / Silver, red, or blue (Small)
- Movement: Automatic Cal. MT5420 (39mm) / MT5400 (36mm) with COSC certification
- Power Reserve: 70h
- Beat Rate: 4Hz (28,800VpH)
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Steel three-link bracelet with T-Fit micro-adjustable clasp or green/red NATO fabric strap with steel buckle
Australian RRPs:
- 39mm: AU$5,490 (Steel bracelet) / AU$4,490 (NATO strap)
- 36mm: AU$5,320 (Steel bracelet) / AU$4,820 (NATO strap)