Tudor vs. Omega Watches: A 2025 Buyer’s Guide

Omega was already a well-known and respected watch brand long before Rolex was founded in 1908. In fact, it took Rolex nearly 60 years to begin selling more watches than Omega. Tudor started out as a more affordable brand created by Rolex, and today it is a sister company owned by the same foundation. 

Over the past decade, Tudor has moved more into the luxury space and built its own strong identity. It has stepped far enough away from Rolex that people now regularly compare Tudor directly with Omega. While Omega watches are still generally more expensive, comparing Tudor vs. Omega now makes real sense. 

Let’s take a closer look.

Tudor vs. Omega Watches— Comparison 

• Movement Finishing: Tudor has improved its movement finishing in recent years, especially in models like the Black Bay Ceramic, but it still feels basic compared to Omega. Omega is known for excellent movement finishing and often shows it through display casebacks, competing strongly with most luxury brands below the very top tier.
  

• Complications: Tudor focuses on practical complications such as date, day, GMT, and chronograph. The only uncommon complication Tudor has made is a power reserve indicator. Omega offers a much wider range, including chronographs, GMTs, annual calendars, moonphase displays, power reserve indicators, and even the world’s only chronograph repeater, the Chrono Chime.
  

• Price (New Watches): Tudor’s new watches usually fall between $4,500 and $6,000, making them strong value options. Omega’s latest models are generally priced higher, typically between $6,000 and $11,000.
  

• Price (Pre-Owned Watches): On the used market, Tudor is priced around $3,500 and is considered one of the best brands at this price point. Omega’s pre-owned sweet spot is closer to $4,500, where it also offers excellent value.
  

• Value Retention: Tudor holds its value very well for popular models like the Black Bay and Pelagos, and in some cases can outperform Omega in resale. Omega retains substantial value for iconic models like the Speedmaster and Seamaster, while the rest of the lineup tends to show average resale performance.
  

• Ladies’ Watches: Tudor offers a limited selection for ladies, with fewer dedicated models and smaller case sizes. Omega offers a broader range with dedicated women’s collections and more choices in size, style, and materials.
  

• Dive Watches: Tudor is best known for its Black Bay and Pelagos dive watches, which focus on durability and tool-watch design. Omega competes with the Seamaster and Planet Ocean, offering a blend of professional dive capability and luxury finishing.
  

• Chronographs: Tudor’s main chronograph models include the Black Bay Chrono and Pelagos FXD Chrono. The iconic Speedmaster and the Planet Ocean Chronograph lead Omega’s chronograph lineup.
  

• GMT Watches: Tudor offers practical, rugged GMT options such as the Black Bay GMT and Black Bay Pro, featuring vintage-inspired styling and in-house movements. Omega provides more advanced GMT and world-time options, including the Planet Ocean GMT, Aqua Terra Worldtimer, and several desirable discontinued models.
  

• Bracelets and Straps: Tudor bracelets and straps are high quality and often vintage-inspired, with options in steel, fabric, rubber, and leather. Omega takes a more modern approach, offering advanced materials, greater variety, micro-adjustments, and a more refined overall feel.
  

• Clasps: Tudor clasps are secure and functional, with some models offering on-the-fly adjustment, though they are less advanced. Omega’s clasps feature smoother, more user-friendly micro-adjustment systems and feel more premium.
  

• In-House Movements: Tudor is increasingly using in-house movements, with some models METAS-certified, though a few still use Sellita-based calibers. Omega uses only in-house movements, all with Co-Axial escapements, Master Chronometer certification, high magnetic resistance, and high accuracy.
  

• Brand Prestige: Tudor was once viewed as a “junior Rolex,” but is now widely respected for quality and value. Omega has long held a higher level of prestige, supported by its space heritage, Olympic ties, and strong luxury reputation.
  

• Innovation: Tudor focuses on reliability, toughness, and proven engineering rather than cutting-edge technology. Omega leads in innovation, having introduced the Master Chronometer standard, guaranteed +0/+2 seconds-per-day accuracy, and developed the world’s first chronograph repeater.

Tudor vs. Omega Watches: Side-by-Side Comparison

Tudor vs. Omega: Black Bay or Seamaster?

The most common Tudor vs. Omega comparison is the Black Bay vs. Seamaster. Their sizes, specs, and prices are pretty similar, making this a natural matchup. In the pre-owned market, two standout watches around $2,500 are the early-2000s Bond Seamaster (ref. 2531.80)—worn by Pierce Brosnan—and the first-generation Tudor Black Bay (ref. 79220R). Both use reliable ETA movements and are excellent daily watches, but their styles are very different.

Tudor’s “faux-rivet” bracelet (the bumps are decorative, not functional) isn’t everyone’s favorite, while Omega’s classic “Bond bracelet” has become iconic. Though older Seamasters lack modern micro-adjust clasps, their push-button release is crisp and satisfying.

For neo-vintage models, the choice largely comes down to personal style. For new watches, the Omega Seamaster is pricier: the stainless steel SMP300 starts at $5,900 with a rubber strap, about $1,375 more than the equivalent Black Bay. Pre-owned, both sell around $4,000, so Tudor may retain value slightly better, but Omega offers strong secondhand value too.

The Omega has a few technical advantages: ceramic bezel, sapphire caseback, and 300m water resistance (vs. Tudor’s 200m). The Black Bay has a longer 70-hour power reserve compared to Omega’s 55 hours. Considering current market prices and features, the edge goes to Omega.

Quick-Adjust Clasps

Collectors highly regard both Tudor’s T-Fit clasps and Omega’s micro-adjust clasps. Many luxury watch buyers today expect a way to make minor adjustments to bracelet sizing quickly, and both brands deliver on this. 

The T-Fit allows slightly more maximum adjustment—up to 8mm—compared to 5–6mm on most Omega models. Omega’s micro-adjust clasps are about 1mm thinner and have slightly better finishing. 

Interestingly, Omega doesn’t give its system a brand name and usually calls it a “comfort adjustment setting.”

Tudor Black Bay Chrono vs. Omega Speedmaster Professional

Tudor’s most popular chronograph, the Black Bay Chrono, is often compared to Omega’s iconic Speedmaster Professional, also known as the “Sapphire Sandwich.” The Speedmaster has been a legend for over 50 years, while the Black Bay Chrono debuted in 2019. 

Tudor used to have many chronograph models, but today only the Black Bay Chrono and Pelagos FXD Chrono remain.

Here’s a side-by-side look at their specs:

Movements

The Omega 9920 movement, used in some Speedmaster models, features the Spirate System and is guaranteed to run within +0 to +2 seconds per day, which is exceptionally precise for luxury watches. 

Omega no longer uses mechanical ETA movements at all. Tudor, however, still produces some watches with Sellita-based movements, mainly in the lower end of their lineup.

Omega has also pushed innovation with the world’s first Chrono Chime watches in 2022, which chime the elapsed chronograph time—a highly complex feature with prices over $500,000. 

Tudor doesn’t have movements at that extreme, but their Black Bay Ceramic represents the best of what Tudor offers in movement quality today. Most new Tudor releases are also Master Chronometer-certified, showing strong accuracy and reliability.

Shop Tudor and Omega Watches Safely at Great Lakes Watch

Tudor and Omega both offer excellent watches, but they shine in different ways—Tudor for value, robustness, and vintage-inspired style, and Omega for precision, heritage, and advanced movements. Choosing between them comes down to personal taste, intended use, and budget.

Great Lakes Watch can help you find the perfect Tudor or Omega, whether you’re buying new or pre-owned, or seeking expert advice on value and authenticity.

Note: Please note that the provided prices are approximations & may fluctuate based on various factors. Please contact us at your convenience for the most current & accurate pricing inquiries.