Skip to main content

Precision’s New Home: TUDOR’s Groundbreaking Manufacture Sets New Standards in Watchmaking

Precision’s New Home: TUDOR’s Groundbreaking Manufacture Sets New Standards in Watchmaking

February 21, 2024

The Swiss watchmaker inaugurates its state-of-the-art facility in the historic Swiss town of Le Locle, heralding a future where tradition and technology converge

Amid the storied peaks of the Jura Mountains, in the watchmaking hub of Le Locle, Switzerland, stands the newly inaugurated TUDOR Manufacture.

This red-hued architectural marvel, unveiled in early 2023, encapsulates the Swiss watchmaker’s near-century of legacy, merging its historical craftsmanship with an indomitable spirit of innovation.

The facility spans five floors across 5,500 square metres. At the heart is its workforce of dedicated professionals, each a custodian of the brand’s relentless pursuit of horological perfection – a fundamental principle being TUDOR’s commitment to delivering unparalleled value in its timepieces to customers.

The new TUDOR Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland will bring watchmaking operations such as research and development, movement making and quality control under one roof. PHOTOS: TUDOR
The new TUDOR Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland brings watchmaking operations such as research and development, movement making and quality control under one roof. PHOTOS: TUDOR
By combining new-age technology with age-old horological craftsmanship at the new Manufacture, TUDOR will be able to deliver top-notch creations consistently to clients.
By combining new-age technology with age-old horological craftsmanship at the new Manufacture, TUDOR will be able to deliver top-notch creations consistently to clients.

Here, TUDOR timepieces, including the Black Bay Burgundy and Black Bay Ceramic, are meticulously assembled and rigorously tested, embodying the stringent standards synonymous with the brand.

A highlight at Watches & Wonders 2023, the TUDOR Black Bay Burgundy echoes the brand’s flagship design with its distinctive burgundy unidirectional bezel yet reinvents itself with a slimmer profile and ergonomic features.

Master Chronometer-certified by Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), this model not only meets the rigours of precision but sets a new standard for TUDOR, boasting a robust resistance to magnetic fields and a 70-hour power reserve.

Its refined “T-fit” clasp, inspired by historical models, enhances wearability, while subtle design tweaks to the crown and dial amplify its vintage appeal without sacrificing modern performance.

The Tudor Black Bay Ceramic, as TUDOR’s inaugural model to attain Master Chronometer status in 2021, represents a bold step into technical mastery.

It showcases a monolithic black ceramic case, embodying a sleek and stealthy aesthetic.

The new-generation Master Chronometer-certified Black Bay Burgundy comes with a choice of rubber strap or stainless steel five-link or three-link bracelets.
The new-generation Master Chronometer-certified Black Bay Burgundy comes with a choice of rubber strap or stainless steel five-link or three-link bracelets.
The Master Chronometer-certified Black Bay Ceramic sports a matte black monobloc ceramic case, which has sand-blasted surfaces with bevelled edges mirror-polished for a striking contrast.
The Master Chronometer-certified Black Bay Ceramic sports a matte black monobloc ceramic case, which has sand-blasted surfaces with bevelled edges mirror-polished for a striking contrast.

The Calibre MT5602-1U, visible through the case back, is a triumph of engineering, attuned to a precision of 0/+5 seconds per day – surpassing traditional COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) standards and reflecting TUDOR’s internal benchmark of excellence.

At the heart of it all

Conjoined to the TUDOR Manufacture is Kenissi, its movement production facility.

This physical and conceptual linkage highlights a symbiotic production process that ensures every TUDOR watch starts off with research and development and ends with final assembly under the same roof. Importantly, it is an unspoken guarantee that every watch is equipped with a movement of unparalleled precision.

Created in 2010, Kenissi is where TUDOR’s Manufacture Calibres are conceived and crafted.

Here, automated production technology and artisanal expertise coalesce, producing watches that not only epitomise durability and precision but also offer exceptional value.

TUDOR’s production philosophy eschews the accumulation of stock; instead, each watch is crafted with a specific wearer in mind, enhancing efficiency and the personal connection between the timepiece and its owner.

Pushing limits to achieve perfection

The stringent testing that each watch undergoes is a microcosm of TUDOR’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

Kee Hing Hung Tudor Manufacture Master Chronometer 3
At the new facility, the watchmaking environment is designed such that watchmakers are able to work cohesively to produce only the best watches.

With the new Manufacture and the brand’s focus on delivering superlative quality every time, TUDOR continues to forge a path for those who dare to venture beyond the ordinary – a philosophy rooted in the vision of Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex.

With the doors of the TUDOR Manufacture now open, a new chapter in watchmaking has been revealed. In Le Locle, the fusion of heritage and innovation continues to beat at the heart of TUDOR’s timepieces, promising that every second is crafted with unparalleled horological prowess.

Kee Hing Hung Tudor Manufacture Master Chronometer 4
Besides Kenessi producing the calibres in-house, the Manufacture also tests them rigorously with standards higher than that of COSC.

Visit the TUDOR Boutique at 18 Robinson Road to find the perfect festive gift. Kee Hing Hung’s dedicated and experienced sales advisors will be delighted to guide you in discovering your ideal TUDOR timepiece.

Tags: Tudor; Tudor Manufacture; Master Chronometer; METAS; Black Bay Burgundy; Black Bay Ceramic

[instagram-feed num=4 cols=1 showfollow=false]

back to top