Tudor North Flag
Discussion
My 50th birthday this year and I'm considering a new watch to celebrate. I've liked the Tudor North Flag for a while now, and before I jump into the market wanted to hear the collective PH thoughts.
Are there any owners here who can comment on ownership? It's going to be worn daily, so is it has hard wearing as it looks?
They dont seem very popular, so I assume a deal could be struck below RRP?
Anything else I should know before I start dropping unsubtle hints to my wife?
Are there any owners here who can comment on ownership? It's going to be worn daily, so is it has hard wearing as it looks?
They dont seem very popular, so I assume a deal could be struck below RRP?
Anything else I should know before I start dropping unsubtle hints to my wife?
jimmyslr said:
I’ve worn one for c2 years now. No marks on the crystal and a few minor ones on the bracelet/case, but nothing much and I’m not a particularly careful owner. Wears like a pretty normal watch!
For me I liked the simplicity, the yellow accents and the fact it was a little different.
Cheers, I assumed that they were robust but its good to have it confirmed.For me I liked the simplicity, the yellow accents and the fact it was a little different.
UnclePat said:
I really like the North Flag.
Tried one on and researched it a lot, but ultimately bought a Tudor Black Bay instead (I'm a sucker for a dive watch).
Offering an in-house movement, sapphire display back, chronometer certification, solid build-quality, 100m water resistance, good lume, legibility and decent technology (70-hour power reserve, free-sprung silicon hairspring, power reserve indicator, instant date change, ceramic clasp closures...), it's also pretty good value to my mind (well, as far as that can be said of any luxury item).
A few of those features were firsts for Tudor I believe, certainly since its modern re-launch, but I don't think it's ever sold terribly well or captured wider imagination like the ever-expanding Black Bay collection. As such, I wouldn't be overly surprised if Tudor decides to quietly discontinue or upgrade it at some future point. If it does disappear, I could almost see it being later re-discovered as a bit of a cult classic, even if it'll never earn anyone a fortune.
Privately, they seem to re-sell second hand for circa £1,400 - £1,500, so don't buy it if value retention is important from new (though they do no worse than the majority of brands in that regard, it's no slight at all on the model itself). They do sell for higher from Trade, but then they'll offer you a rubbish buying price.
Also, the integrated bracelet/strap configuration with the case means it's not easy to change its look by switching it to generic aftermarket straps. Like any watch purchase, the OEM Tudor bracelet would be expensive to purchase separately afterwards, so buy on bracelet from the outset if you plan to wear it as such.
I'd have zero doubts about reliability or durability. That in-house movement is very well-constructed and has been around a longish time now to work out the kinks. Just check if the one you buy has been hanging around the display window for years. The bezel wouldn't worry me overly - the black ceramic ring will be very scratch-resistant, but its placement is such that it's as much a cosmetic touch as protective measure, still with a metal edging on top. One great design feature of the case & bracelet are those super-crisp lines, but the sharp edges are possibly slightly more prone to nicks as a result. But it's designed to look like a tool watch, so a few scratches & bumps won't detract from it at all, quite the opposite. The crystal is sapphire, flat & doesn't protrude at the edges much higher than the surrounding bezel, so it'll be as durable (if not more so) than any watch with sapphire.
In terms of haggling, ADs don't discount steeply on Tudor, so whilst 5% is very achievable, 10% is tougher (though I have seen more available). That said, it isn't a big seller, so push hard. If you can buy through a cash-back site like 'Quidco', it would help.
I think they're great, excellent value, handsomely durable and of laudably distinctive design, so a second-hand one will probably make its way into my watch box at some point.
Thanks, I'm buying to keep, so depreciation doesn't concern me. The only thing making me question the purchase is the lack of options for replacement straps, but I'll probably buy on bracelet and also buy the strap too. Tried one on and researched it a lot, but ultimately bought a Tudor Black Bay instead (I'm a sucker for a dive watch).
Offering an in-house movement, sapphire display back, chronometer certification, solid build-quality, 100m water resistance, good lume, legibility and decent technology (70-hour power reserve, free-sprung silicon hairspring, power reserve indicator, instant date change, ceramic clasp closures...), it's also pretty good value to my mind (well, as far as that can be said of any luxury item).
A few of those features were firsts for Tudor I believe, certainly since its modern re-launch, but I don't think it's ever sold terribly well or captured wider imagination like the ever-expanding Black Bay collection. As such, I wouldn't be overly surprised if Tudor decides to quietly discontinue or upgrade it at some future point. If it does disappear, I could almost see it being later re-discovered as a bit of a cult classic, even if it'll never earn anyone a fortune.
Privately, they seem to re-sell second hand for circa £1,400 - £1,500, so don't buy it if value retention is important from new (though they do no worse than the majority of brands in that regard, it's no slight at all on the model itself). They do sell for higher from Trade, but then they'll offer you a rubbish buying price.
Also, the integrated bracelet/strap configuration with the case means it's not easy to change its look by switching it to generic aftermarket straps. Like any watch purchase, the OEM Tudor bracelet would be expensive to purchase separately afterwards, so buy on bracelet from the outset if you plan to wear it as such.
I'd have zero doubts about reliability or durability. That in-house movement is very well-constructed and has been around a longish time now to work out the kinks. Just check if the one you buy has been hanging around the display window for years. The bezel wouldn't worry me overly - the black ceramic ring will be very scratch-resistant, but its placement is such that it's as much a cosmetic touch as protective measure, still with a metal edging on top. One great design feature of the case & bracelet are those super-crisp lines, but the sharp edges are possibly slightly more prone to nicks as a result. But it's designed to look like a tool watch, so a few scratches & bumps won't detract from it at all, quite the opposite. The crystal is sapphire, flat & doesn't protrude at the edges much higher than the surrounding bezel, so it'll be as durable (if not more so) than any watch with sapphire.
In terms of haggling, ADs don't discount steeply on Tudor, so whilst 5% is very achievable, 10% is tougher (though I have seen more available). That said, it isn't a big seller, so push hard. If you can buy through a cash-back site like 'Quidco', it would help.
I think they're great, excellent value, handsomely durable and of laudably distinctive design, so a second-hand one will probably make its way into my watch box at some point.
Whats the problem of buying one thats been on display for a while, and more importantly other than asking (and believing the response), how do you know?
AlasdairMc said:
I was looking at the North Flag but ended up with a Ranger instead. The strap was my main concern as I wanted to vary between a Nato and a leather strap (my other watches are all bracelet only).
The Ranger is a lovely watch, a nice vintage look to it.
Hmmm, I also like the Ranger too The Ranger is a lovely watch, a nice vintage look to it.
I'll have to try them on and see which I prefer. Seeing as I've just come into some money, might be able to get both....Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff