I grew up in the “Look but don’t touch” era, with strict parents who instilled an appreciation for beautiful things in me. They shared a simple but classic taste, leaning towards the conservative side. The prospect of doing anything more with a watch than fastening it around my wrist is daunting, to say the least, but I couldn’t resist the offer of a Tudor Clair de Rose trial. Having fitted it for the first time at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2023, it is one of those pieces that once on you don’t want to take off. Light and perfectly sized – I requested the 26mm case for my small (15cm) wrist – I was delighted to discover it’s just a few millimetres larger than the first watch gifted to me by my parents. A birthday present, as I recall, with a manual winding movement that’s still in working order. It’s also just as elegant in style and practically weightless in this size. “My watch” arrived in stainless steel with a blue, diamond-set dial. Other options have Roman numerals only for the indexes. The date window is at 3 o’clock, but it is so tiny in this model that I struggled to read it.
Getting back to the “look, but don’t touch” scenario took a few tries before I could confidently reset the time. After 38 hours off my wrist, the watch stopped as promised, so I gave myself several opportunities to get that right. The winding crown is decorated with a precious spinel cabochon, and you have to be really sensitive to the degrees of extension to determine which one is for the time and which is for the date setting.
I love a small dial size, hence my choice, but a note to others who might be buying online without trying one on first. Allow a couple of extra millimetres in the bracelet measurement to cater to environmental temperature changes. I measured my wrist at night, and it felt tight when the watch arrived on a blistering hot day. Thankfully, there were cooler days (and nights) when it felt just right. The blue of the dial isn’t a specific Tudor shade, but it’s a family favourite, so I loved wearing it everywhere, from open-air theatre events and art exhibitions to product launches and dinner with friends. I was proud to have it on my wrist.
The steel bracelet that accompanies all Clair de Rose models is composed of small “rice grain” links, which delivers on its promise of “unrivalled suppleness and shine.” It has a folding clasp that’s easy to operate and a safety catch that emits a reassuring click sound when fastening.
The allure of Clair de Rose
Tudor’s elegant Clair de Rose collection draws inspiration from clair de lune – French for “moonlight” – and the brand’s historic rose emblem. Reimagined in 2017, this refined collection is crafted exclusively in stainless steel, blending delicate details with a strong, enduring design.
Each timepiece features a robust 316L stainless steel case that is waterproof up to 100 metres, ensuring durability while maintaining a soft, graceful aesthetic. The collection is offered in three sizes – 26mm, 30mm, and 34mm – with opaline dials adorned with intricate relief decorations complemented by blue-lacquered Roman numerals or diamond hour markers. A self-winding mechanical movement with a date function powers each model, delivering beauty and performance.
Completing the look, the Clair de Rose is fitted with a polished steel bracelet composed of tiny “rice grain” links, providing exceptional suppleness and a radiant finish. The bracelet is secured with a folding clasp and safety catch for comfort and reliability.
A perfect blend of classic sophistication and modern craftsmanship, the Clair de Rose is a tribute to Tudor’s heritage and dedication to precision watchmaking.
Key features
- Five-year guarantee: Transferable with no registration or maintenance checks required
- Case: 26mm polished steel case (10.3mm thickness, 7mm lug width)
- Movement: Self-winding mechanical movement, Calibre T201
- Power reserve: Approximately 38 hours
- Winding crown: Steel screw-down crown with a transparent blue spinel cabochon
- Water resistance: 100m
- Bezel: Smooth, polished steel
- Dial: Blue with diamond markers
- Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal
- Bracelet: Stainless steel with a folding clasp and safety catch.
