Tudor Grantour: what does its owner think?

The Tudor Grantour, launched in 2009, is a sports-watch collection developed by Tudor around the world of Gran Turismo, grand touring cars and motor racing. It appeared at a time when the brand was seeking to establish a more independent and contemporary identity, before the spectacular rise of the Heritage and Black Bay families. The first Grantour models were a three-hand watch with date and a chronograph, both offered in a 41 mm stainless-steel case with black bezel, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown and 150 metres of water resistance.

Their styling directly referenced the automotive world through dashboard-inspired dials, red details, perforated leather straps recalling sports-car seats and driving gloves, and lockable chronograph pushers. In 2011, Tudor substantially redesigned the collection, increasing the diameter to 42 mm and introducing the Chrono Fly-Back, capable of resetting the chronograph to zero and immediately beginning a new timing sequence. The Grantour subsequently remained associated with motor sport and notably with Tudor’s involvement in the World Endurance Championship.

Design & legibility: Gran Turismo translated onto the wrist

The Grantour takes an approach very different from the dive watches and historically inspired models that dominate Tudor’s image today. Its relatively broad case, flowing lugs and surfaces combining polished and satin finishing are intended to recall the taut lines of a sports car rather than an old military instrument. The black lacquered steel bezel plays an important visual role: it broadens the impression of the dial while giving the watch a more technical appearance. The hands are long and angular, with enough luminous material to preserve reading in low light. On the chronographs, the counters use red details recalling the coloured zones of an automotive rev counter. The perforated leather straps and red dashboard-inspired accents are the distinguishing features most immediately connected with the automotive world of the Grantour. The Date is the cleanest version with three hands and an aperture at 3 o’clock. The Chrono uses a more conventional three-register layout, while the Fly-Back reorganises the counters with running seconds at 3 o’clock, a 60-minute totaliser at 9 o’clock and the date at 6 o’clock. This variety maintains a family identity while clearly separating the three levels of complication.

Case, straps and comfort: from 41 to 42 mm with 150 metres of water resistance

The first 2009 Grantour uses a 41 mm stainless-steel case, already a substantial size for the period but consistent with its sporting positioning. In 2011, Tudor reworked the proportions and increased the principal models to 42 mm. The lugs became more streamlined and their satin surfaces contrasted more strongly with the polished areas of the case. The crown remained screw-down and stated water resistance stayed at 150 metres on both the Date and chronographs, giving the collection greater versatility than a simple urban automotive chronograph. The combination of a sporting construction rated to 150 metres and driving-inspired straps allows the Grantour to retain genuine everyday versatility. The models are offered on a three-link steel bracelet with a polished centre link or on black leather featuring large or micro perforations. Steel increases weight and wrist presence, while leather more directly emphasises the automotive inspiration and can improve comfort throughout a long day. The 42 mm diameter and thickness of the chronographs remain noticeable on smaller wrists. Sapphire crystal provides good scratch resistance and the closed caseback keeps the movement protected from everyday impacts.

Movement: three mechanical architectures depending on function

The Grantour collection is not based on one single movement. Date models use an automatic architecture derived from the ETA 2824-2, a movement operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and providing approximately 38 hours of power reserve on documented references. The Chrono uses a Valjoux 7753 base, recognisable notably from its three-register display and quick date corrector positioned beneath the lug around 10 o’clock. Its power reserve is stated at around 46 hours. The Chrono Fly-Back, meanwhile, uses an architecture based on the ETA 2892 supplemented by a specific chronograph mechanism providing the flyback function, with stated autonomy around 42 hours. The flyback function is the most mechanically distinctive proposition within the entire Grantour family. Pressing the appropriate pusher while the chronograph is running causes the hand to return immediately to zero and restart without requiring the conventional stop, reset and restart sequence. The function has a historical role in aviation and sports timing but can also be useful for rapidly timing consecutive intervals. None of these movements is presented as a Tudor manufacture calibre in the sense of the later MT movements used by the brand.

Chronological milestones and main models (2009–2025)

(2009) Tudor Grantour Date Black 41 mm:

The first Grantour Date forms the entry point to the collection and establishes its automotive vocabulary from 2009. The Tudor Grantour Date 20050N has a stainless-steel case measuring approximately 41 mm, a fixed black-lacquered steel bezel, sapphire crystal and screw-down crown. The black dial uses large applied markers, luminous hands and a central seconds hand whose red tip adds a sporting detail. The date is positioned at 3 o’clock and remains the only complication. The automatic movement is based on the ETA 2824-2, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides approximately 38 hours of power reserve. Water resistance reaches 150 metres. Tudor notably offers a black micro-perforated leather strap whose design recalls sports-car upholstery, together with a steel bracelet. The combination of a highly legible dial, date, substantial water resistance and comparatively restrained dimensions makes this the easiest Grantour to use as a straightforward daily watch.

(2009) Tudor Grantour Chrono Black 41 mm:

The chronograph launched at the same time makes the connection with motor racing considerably more explicit. The Tudor Grantour Chrono 20350N uses an approximately 41 mm stainless-steel case, fixed black bezel and three-register dial with a minute counter at 3 o’clock, hour totaliser at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock. The date aperture sits between 4 and 5 o’clock. The chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock use a limited-turn locking system to prevent accidental operation. The automatic movement is based on the Valjoux 7753 and provides approximately 46 hours of power reserve. The crystal is sapphire, the crown screws down and water resistance reaches 150 metres. The leather strap with large perforations deliberately recalls a driving glove. Its black dial, red indications and highly functional layout give this first Grantour Chrono a more instrumental personality than the Date.

(2011) Tudor Grantour Date Black 42 mm:

In 2011, Tudor evolved the three-hand model by refining several details while increasing its diameter. The Tudor Grantour Date 20500N now uses a 42 mm stainless-steel case combining polished and satin-finished surfaces. The fixed bezel remains black lacquered and graduated, while the dial retains a simple architecture with applied markers, luminous hands, central seconds and a date at 3 o’clock. The automatic movement retains an ETA 2824-type architecture and a stated power reserve of around 38 hours. The crystal is sapphire, the crown screws down and water resistance remains 150 metres. Tudor offers a three-link steel bracelet with polished centre link or different perforated sports-leather straps closed by a folding clasp with safety catch. This second generation appears more assertive visually than the first, but its more streamlined lugs prevent the increase in diameter from simply turning the watch into a more massive version. Black, white and silver dials are documented on the market.

(2011) Tudor Grantour Chrono Black 42 mm:

The Chrono receives the same general evolution in 2011 and also increases to 42 mm. The Tudor Grantour Chrono 20530N retains a polished and satin-finished stainless-steel construction, fixed black bezel, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown and 150 metres of water resistance. Its automatic Valjoux 7753-type movement powers a three-register layout with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour totaliser at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock. The date is positioned around 4:30 and its quick corrector sits beneath the lug at 10 o’clock, requiring a small tool rather than the crown. Power reserve is stated at around 46 hours. The lockable pushers use black markings, while red accents on the dial continue the motor-racing theme. Steel, large-perforation leather and micro-perforated leather options allow the character of the watch to vary substantially between sport-chic and dedicated driving chronograph.

(2011) Tudor Grantour Chrono Fly-Back Black Steel:

The Fly-Back becomes the most technical and emblematic model of the renewed collection. The Tudor Grantour Chrono Fly-Back 20550N has a 42 mm stainless-steel case, graduated black bezel, sapphire crystal and 150 metres of water resistance. Its black dial moves away from the conventional three-register Chrono layout in favour of two large counters: running seconds at 3 o’clock and a 60-minute totaliser at 9 o’clock. The date appears at 6 o’clock. The bistable pushers can be locked and use red and black markings to distinguish them. The automatic movement, developed around an ETA 2892 base with chronograph module, offers approximately 42 hours of power reserve and above all a flyback function. This allows the running chronograph to be reset to zero and restarted with one press. On a three-link steel bracelet, the watch has a comparatively luxurious presence; on perforated leather, its relationship with the automotive world becomes much more explicit.

(2011) Tudor Grantour Chrono Fly-Back Steel & Pink Gold:

The two-tone variation adds a more luxurious dimension to a model that had previously been primarily technical. The Tudor Grantour Chrono Fly-Back 20551N retains the 42 mm case, black dial, sapphire crystal, flyback function and 150 metres of water resistance but combines stainless steel with 18-carat pink gold on several visible components. The crown and pushers can notably use the precious metal, while certain bracelet configurations combine steel and pink gold. The black bezel provides enough contrast to maintain the sporting appearance. The dial retains running seconds at 3 o’clock, the 60-minute totaliser at 9 o’clock and the date at 6 o’clock. The ETA 2892-based automatic movement provides around 42 hours of autonomy. The principal interest of this version lies less in mechanical differences than in positioning: it transforms the automotive chronograph into a sport-chic watch capable of accompanying dressier clothing without abandoning its lockable pushers or flyback complication.

Choosing the right version: Date, Chrono, Fly-Back and everyday use

The Grantour Date is the easiest version to recommend for everyday wear. It avoids the additional thickness and complexity of a chronograph while retaining the Grantour styling, 150 metres of water resistance and an easily read date. The 20500N is particularly suitable for someone primarily seeking the Grantour design rather than a timing complication. Its ETA 2824-based calibre is also extremely familiar to watchmakers and its architecture remains comparatively straightforward to service.

The Chrono 20530N is more coherent for someone who genuinely wants a classical chronograph appearance. Its three counters provide familiar reading, while the lockable pushers and date corrector beneath the lug give the watch a particular mechanical personality. The Chrono provides the best compromise between automotive styling and a traditional chronograph architecture. Its thickness and weight will nevertheless be more noticeable than those of the Date, especially on the steel bracelet.

The Fly-Back is aimed more directly at complication enthusiasts. Its ability to reset and instantly restart the chronograph is rarely essential in ordinary daily life but provides more interesting mechanical interaction. Reference 20550N is the most distinctive Grantour for someone seeking more than a conventional sports chronograph. The condition of the pushers and correct operation of the flyback system should nevertheless be checked carefully on a pre-owned example.

The choice between leather and steel significantly changes comfort and appearance. The steel bracelet provides greater weight and a more luxurious impression, whereas perforated leather remains the configuration most coherent with the Gran Turismo inspiration. Leather with large perforations is particularly appropriate if the objective is to preserve the collection’s full automotive identity. It is, however, less suited to repeated immersion despite the case’s 150-metre water resistance.

Finally, the Grantour should be considered a discontinued collection now available mainly on the pre-owned market. The condition of the polished and brushed case, presence of the Tudor bracelet and clasp, operation of the pushers and maintenance history therefore become particularly important. A complete and recently serviced example can be preferable to a cheaper watch whose chronograph mechanics have unknown maintenance history. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Conclusion

The Tudor Grantour is aimed at enthusiasts who want to discover a period of Tudor very different from the one now dominated by Black Bay and Pelagos watches. Its automotive inspiration, perforated straps, red accents and black bezels give it an immediately recognisable identity. The Date prioritises simplicity and versatility, the Chrono uses a more traditional sporting architecture and the Fly-Back provides the family’s most original complication. The 2009 and 2011 generations also allow a choice between slightly more restrained proportions and a more assertive 42 mm case. Selection should take movement, strap, thickness and mechanical condition into account, especially now that the model is principally available pre-owned.

To understand how this collection actually performs in terms of comfort, accuracy, perceived quality and wrist enjoyment, Dialicious customer reviews provide a useful complement to the technical specifications.

(Updated August 2026)