To mark the 70th anniversary of the British North Greenland Expedition, TUDOR has launched the Ranger model. Commemorating the spirit of this courageous voyage, this tool watch features Manufacture Calibre MT5402, a 39-millimetre case and a clasp with rapid adjustment system.

It was on 8th July 1952, that the British North Greenland Expedition left Deptford, an area on the banks of the Thames in London, for a two-year scientific mission studying ice sheets in Greenland.

Equipped with the brand-new Oyster Prince model, TUDOR’s first watch that was both automatic and waterproof, the members of the expedition, mainly British scientists and sailors, conducted in-depth glaciological and seismic surveys at several sites. TUDOR also asked them to gather performance data for the 30 Oyster Prince watches that would be worn under extreme conditions.

The origins of the TUDOR Ranger family date back to 1929. This was the year when Hans Wilsdorf registered the “Ranger” name, three years after registering the “The TUDOR” trademark. At the time, the name was not used to indicate the model specifically, but instead to add an adventurous aspect to certain watches in the TUDOR collection.

The aesthetics that we now recognise as the Ranger didn’t appear until the 1960s, with its large Arabic numerals, generously coated with luminescent material at 3 (for models without the date), 6, 9, and 12 o’clock, as well as its uniquely designed hands.

Offered in a number of variations over the course of its history, examples existed with and without the date, with automatic or manual winding and initially with the TUDOR rose logo followed by the shield on its dial. As early as 1973, a version of the Ranger was made with an integrated bracelet under the name “Ranger II”.

The new Ranger model respects the aesthetic standards established in the course of its history, especially its dial with Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock.

The 39-millimetre case and the bracelet of the Ranger are satin-brushed, creating an overall matt finish. Some elements, however, are polished to strengthen the lines of the case, including the inner edge of the bezel.

The hour markers painted in Beige luminescent material perfectly contrast with the grained, matt black dial and match the tone of the TUDOR shield logo and inscriptions.

The arrow-shaped hands, rounded for the hours hand and angular for the seconds hand, are characteristic of Ranger aesthetics, with a novel touch, the tip of the seconds hand in burgundy.

The Ranger model is equipped with Manufacture Calibre MT5402. Its construction has been designed to ensure robustness, longevity, reliability and precision due to its variable-inertia balance, which is held in place by a sturdy traversing bridge with two points of fixation.

Thanks to this balance and the non-magnetic silicon balance spring, the Manufacture Calibre MT5402 has been certified as a chronometer by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The power reserve of this self-winding movement is about 70 hours.

The TUDOR Ranger model is available with an olive-green JACQUARD fabric strap with two red stripes and one beige stripe woven by the craftsmen.

The Ranger is also offered with an entirely satin-brushed steel bracelet, with the TUDOR “T-fit” clasp equipped with a system for rapid length adjustment.

Finally, a third bracelet option is offered, in natural rubber and fabric-like textured black leather, with beige topstitching and a folding clasp.

Technical details

Model: TUDOR Ranger
Reference 79950

Versions
Ref. 79950-0001: With steel bracelet
Ref. 79950-0002: With Hybrid rubber and leather strap
Ref. 79950-0003: With tri-color (green, red and beige) fabric strap

Case
39 mm steel case, satin finish
Bezel: Smooth satin-brushed steel
Steel screw-down crown with the TUDOR rose in relief
Domed sapphire crystal
Waterproof to 100 m (330 ft)

Dial
Black, domed

Movement
Manufacture Calibre MT5402
Self-winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system
Swiss chronometer certified by COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute)
Variable inertia balance, micro-adjustment screw
Non-magnetic silicon balance spring
Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz)
Total diameter: 26 mm
Thickness: 5 mm
Jewels: 27 jewels
Power reserve: Approximately 70 hours

Functions
Hour, minutes and seconds hands at the centre
Stop-seconds for precise time setting

Bracelet
Steel bracelet with three links and a folding clasp with the TUDOR “T-fit” safety catch, hybrid rubber and leather bracelet with folding clasp and steel safety catch or green fabric bracelet with red and beige stripes and buckle