IntroducingThe Tudor 1926 Luna Adds A Moonphase Complication To The Lineup

Tudor's model lineup has long leaned in to the brand's hearty and robust reputation and used complications sparingly, limiting them to mostly practical applications such as chronograph timers, travel-handy GMTs, and useful days and dates. Today, with the Tudor 1926 Luna, the brand is getting a bit more lofty, setting its sights on a more celestial sphere and adding a moonphase complication to the collection for the first time. 

Best known for its Black Bay heritage-inspired diver, GMT and field watch collection as well as its modern dive instrument Pelagos line, the new Tudor 1926 Luna expands the brand's dress watch offering with its refined, classic, and traditional style and finish. Named for the year of Tudor's founding, the 1926 is a staple in the collection and a core offering in Asia, particularly in China, where Tudor has a significant presence. 

Under a domed sapphire crystal, the new 1926 Luna allows for the tracking of the moon's phases, from a sliver to quarter, to half and full moon over 30 days. In steel and sized at 39 millimeters in diameter, it comes in three dial colors with a satin sun-brushed finish in black, blue, and champagne.  The sword hands point towards applied indexes with hour markers and Arabic numerals at 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12, allowing for a date at 3 o'clock with the moonphase complication at 6 o'clock.  The numbers and indexes are gold on the black dial, silver on the blue dial, and black on the champagne dial. 

Driving the time, date, and moonphase functions is the Sellita-based Tudor T607-9 movement. While Tudor has increasingly been using more in-house movements from its Kenissi manufacture in Le Locle for more of its watches, it's chosen a third-party  movement for this model. This recalls the roots of Tudor's position as a sister-brand to Rolex that utilized cases, crowns, and other components from the big brand while using third-party ebauche to keep prices lower. The Tudor 1926 is priced at CHF 2,400, placing it on the more approachable end of the collection's pricing. 

The polished steel case also features a polished bezel, adding to the more upscale look. But it's still a Tudor, of course, and offers 100 meters of water resistance and a screw-down crown and closed caseback. The bracelet is Tudor's Jubilee-like seven-row link in steel. With satin-brushed outer links and polished center links, it adds to the refined and classic style. 

With a moon phase complication for the first time, this one's a bit of a surprise from the Shield, we've got to admit. But it reminds us of Tudor's mandate to produce watches with broad appeal and at approachable prices. While not particularly useful in a tool watch kind of way, a moon phase is a novel and romantic feature for plenty of watch buyers and a classic complication for most of the top Swiss watchmakers (Rolex being the rare exception). 

The brand says this model and the use of the moonphase were designed with the help of Taiwanese superstar actor, singer, and Tudor ambassador Jay Chou. Considering its price, timeless design, and hearty build quality, the 1926 Luna will likely serve as a fresh gateway for new customers to the mighty Tudor brand or an attractive dressier piece with a classic complication for those already in the brand fold.

Brand: Tudor
Model: 1926 Luna
Reference Number: 91560 - 67050
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: N/A
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Dial Color: Black, blue and champagne
Indexes: Applied
Lume: No
Water Resistance: 100 meters (330 feet)
Strap/Bracelet: Seven-row with brushed outer and polished inner links

Caliber: TUDOR T607-9 (Sellita-base SW280-1)
Functions: Hour, minutes, seconds, date, moonphase
Power Reserve: 41 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz
Jewels: 26
Chronometer Certified: No ''but adjusted to chronometer standards"

Price: CHF 2,400, €2,630,
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No

For more, click here.