One of the most admired, gifted and successful football players of all time, a philanthropist, an entrepreneur and a global style icon, David Beckham’s life journey embodies the daring values that made Tudor what it is today.
Tudor is Born to Dare
In 2017, Tudor launched a new campaign, signed “Born To Dare”, reflecting both the history of the brand and what it stands for today. Brave people have long chosen the Tudors for their extraordinary achievements on land, on ice, in the air and underwater. This signature also references the vision of Tudor founder Hans Wilsdorf, who created a Tudor watch that could withstand the most extreme conditions and was born for the most daring lifestyle. In the end, it tells the story of the unique way that Tudor has become known around the world, leading the major trends in the watchmaking industry.
The Tudor “Born To Dare” spirit is reflected in the campaign manifesto (see below and expanded) and supported by ambassadors around the world, whose success in life comes directly from taking a bold approach to life. David Beckham is one of them, and Tudor is proud to welcome him into the family.
“We are devoted to the classic. But reject the status quo.
We keep the best of the past, the best watchmaking practices, the best designs.
And push the boundaries of what’s new.
Born for a purpose. Field-tested to the extreme.
For those who are up for anything.
For those who face their fears.
For those who reinvent themselves every day, a Tudor is born to dare.”
Devoted to the classic
David Beckham is a multi-talented man with a deep interest in beauty. “Especially as a Brit, you really appreciate a nice suit and a nice watch. They get along very well,” he said. A long-time watch lover, he met Tudor through its sister brand, Rolex, and he owns several watches. “The attention to detail that I saw in Tudor watches attracted me. Then I learned about the history of the brand. Adventure one, pioneer diving and daring expeditions. I was hooked right away.”
David Beckham wears the Black Bay S&G, a vintage-inspired steel and gold diver’s watch, and the Black Bay Chrono, a COSC-certified column-wheel manufacturing caliber chronograph, borrowed from Tudor of diving and motorsport traditions.
Born for a purpose
As a child, David Beckham had a dream. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he always answers “footballer”. That early push made him one of the most famous, popular and successful players in gaming history. With three major clubs in English football and 115 selections, including 59 as captain, he left his mark: 6 English league titles, 2 MLS trophies, 1 Spanish title and 1 UEFA Cup United Champions.
He may not be the top scorer or the fastest player, but he has a unique style that is both accurate and spectacular. One of the perfect passes, great kicks and pinpoint accuracy that proved crucial on the pitch. “Bend like Beckham” explains his chip. David Beckham went all the way to fulfill his childhood dream.
Reinventing himself, constantly
David Beckham is one of the hardest working players in football history. Even if injured or on loan to another team, he doesn’t take anything for granted and trains harder than most. As a player, he reinvented himself every game.
Despite his retirement from professional sports, he remains inspiring. His philanthropic activities focus on the protection and welfare of children worldwide. As a long-time UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and anti-malaria campaigner, he devotes his energy and time to the health and education of children in Africa.
Pushing the boundaries
Charity and football aside, David Beckham’s endeavours are more than just a legend. He faced his post-sports fears and built his ambition to establish himself as a global fashion icon. His influence on pop culture extends beyond the court. He is a model with hundreds of millions of followers around the world.
About Tudor
TUDOR is a Swiss made watch brand, offering mechanical watches with sophisticated style, superior quality and unique value for money. The origins of the TUDOR brand date back to 1926, when ‘The Tudor’ was first registered 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 accessible price point. Over the course of history, TUDOR watches became the choice of daring individuals worldwide on land, ice, in the air and underwater. Today, the TUDOR collection includes flagship models such as Black Bay, Pelagos, Glamour and Style and since 2015 it has offered mechanical manufacture movements.
THE TUDOR BORN TO DARE MANIFESTO – EXTENDED VERSION
- PRODUCT PHILOSOPHY
“We are devoted to the classic. But reject the status quo.”
With a will to go beyond the norm, Tudor’s watchmaking philosophy draws inspiration from its heritage and combines cutting-edge technology, exclusive innovation and breakthrough ideas.
The Tudor company was founded by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf with the mission of “providing (his) agents can sell at more modest prices than (his) Rolex watches but (his) ) can reach the watch to explore new areas of “reliability standards”.
Today’s Tudor has not strayed from the original vision. Tudor watches are designed with strict adherence to excellence, reinterpreting a rich history to create something truly unique – a bold blend of originality and modernity in an unparalleled product.
A Tudor watch is born to dare.
- PRODUCT FEATURES
“We keep the best of the past, the best watchmaking practices, the best designs. And push the boundaries of what’s new.”
For more than half a century, Tudor has recreated the classics, making its timepieces unique. Never shy from redefining the rules, Tudor’s new watches are closely connected to the past while incorporating 21st century technology. They also never shy away from pushing the boundaries of new things and experimenting with unusual materials, combinations and inspirations.
Consider when Tudor decided to revisit its diver’s watch history. They draw inspiration from the past while embracing modernity. The Tudor Black Bay has direct ancestors in some of the most iconic Tudor watches. The 1958 Oyster Prince Submariner Ref. 7924 contributed to its oversized crown and general lines, while the “snowflake” Tudor Submariner worn by the French Navy in the 1970s displayed its distinctive square hands. Classic design, modern new century.
The Black Bay Bronze features a marine-grade aluminum bronze gold-tone case carefully selected for durability in marine environments. The alloy develops a distinctive sheen over time, while also paying homage to Tudor’s long-standing relationship with the French Navy, which is a bonus.
But without performance, design is nothing. In fact, the Black Bay watch is equipped with an extremely powerful in-house movement that the Tudor R&D team spent five years developing. With an ample power reserve of 70 hours, superior ergonomics and independently certified precision, it sets even higher standards. A Tudor watch is born to raise standards
- WORLD OF THE WATCH
“Born for a purpose. Field-tested to the extreme.”
Tudor watches are designed for those who dare to step out of their comfort zone.
It is designed to work in all conditions. From elegant evenings to the most extreme environments imaginable.
Over the years, Tudor watches have been tested every day on the wrists of the bravest of men, in land races on rough alpine roads, on the ice for British expeditions in North Greenland, and in the air for American paramedic rescue teams. The air is used underwater with combat swimmers of the French Navy. They never fooled them and consistently delivered strong and reliable timekeeping.
Today, from pure purpose-built tool watches to timeless elegant dress watches, the Tudor collection perpetuates that spirit of supreme dependability, having every single watch undergo a strict and demanding testing protocol guaranteeing precision, waterproofness and robustness, beyond industry standards. A Tudor watch is born to go above and beyond.
- THE TUDOR WEARER
“For those who are up for anything. For those who face their fears. For those who reinvent themselves every day … a Tudor is born to dare.”
Today’s Tudor wearers aren’t all that different from those of the past. They are people with unconventional attitudes. aspiring people. People who are willing to pursue their passions – wherever they take them. Like Tudor, they believe in learning from past experiences and building on that to understand how they think and behave today.
Tudor wearers are looking for experiences that broaden their worldview. They value exceptional craftsmanship and feel. They are as interested in how things are made as they are supposed to be. They insist on having the best tool for the job and pride themselves on being on the cutting edge.
Those who wear a Tudor share a thirst for discovery. A spirit of adventure. And the will to go further. They are curious. They are fearless. They are born to dare.