This year, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the British Scientific Expedition to Greenland, TUDOR presents the Ranger model, an instrument watch that pays homage to the daring spirit of this adventure, equipped with the Manufacture Caliber MT5402, a 39mm case and of a closure with quick adjustment system.
The history of the name "Ranger" long predates that of the British Scientific Expedition to Greenland. Although the TUDOR watches used by members of the expedition between 1952 and 1954 never featured this name on the dial, the post-mission Ranger models carried on the expedition watch concept embodied by TUDOR at the time: a robust instrument, practical and affordable.
The origins of the TUDOR Ranger family date back to 1929. That year Hans Wilsdorf registered the name “Ranger”, three years after registering the “The TUDOR” Trademark. At the time that name was not used to indicate a specific model, but to give a connotation of adventure to some models of the TUDOR collection. The aesthetic that today distinguishes the Ranger line was only introduced in the 60s and includes clearly visible Arabic numerals, generously coated with phosphorescent material at 3 o'clock (in the models without date), 6, 9 and 12, as well as exclusive hands created specially.
There are many variations of this model presented over time: with and without date, with automatic or manual winding, initially with the TUDOR rose logo followed by the shield on the dial. Starting from 1973, a version of the Ranger with integrated bracelet cataloged "Ranger II" is also presented.
The real feeling on the wrist
I am a lover of small speakers, especially when it comes to tool watches of this kind. Indeed, Tudor has done very well in making these 39mm smaller and the fit of this new Ranger is very interesting.
The dimensions are "on paper" larger than what we expect from a re-edition of the famous vintage Tudor Ranger, which incorporates the lines of Rolex's 1016. However, compared to the first Ranger re-edition, seen in the catalog a few years ago, we have a distortion of the lines and of the final result.
In my view, the new Ranger is a fair watch. Right in the shape of the lugs, the middle case of the case is balanced, all satin with these polished bevels on the bezel and lugs that creates a precise detachment with the satin parts and gives, to the wrist, a three-dimensionality that would have been lost if the case had been completely satin. It is clean, simple, smooth and they gave that right touch of tool-watch by choosing this finish, but that polish gave it another flavor, it managed to embellish the whole watch.
Once worn it is really comfortable. The idea of adding a dedicated bracelet, so much tapered (20-16mm in the closure) with the new T-Fit is simply the best that Tudor has ever thought. We have a case, which as I described to you, is very thin, perfectly wraps the wrist and is a combination of proportions that hides the 39mm very well.
I do not deny that the 39mm worried me precisely because it is not always easy to make a 39mm so versatile, especially if we are in the absence of rings or details. However, Tudor has once again hit the mark.
The aspect that most binds me to this maison is the ease of use, the simplicity of the lines and the robustness of the watch. And this re-edition, which celebrates an extreme expedition where the man with his watch has created an indissoluble bond, Tudor has demonstrated that link with the past in an excellent way, bringing that spirit of adventure back onto our wrists. And it's easy to say, in this case: Born To Dare.
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