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Tudor Royal 38mm Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold
Ref. M28503-0007
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Stepping up in Tudor's range
The Royal line is Tudor's answer to the integrated-bracelet sports watches that defined the 1970s, and this 38mm two-tone reference follows that template with some care. The notched bezel is solid 18-carat yellow gold, as is the screw-down crown, but the case body is polished and satin-finished steel, and the centre links of the five-row bracelet use gold-capped rather than solid construction — an honest division that keeps the proportions feeling right without the weight of a fully precious metal build. Against that, the chocolate sunray dial with applied gold Roman numerals reads warmer than a standard sports dial in most lights, pulling the whole thing slightly toward the dressy end of its category. At 10.6mm thick with a 45mm lug-to-lug span, it sits flatter and shorter than most integrated-bracelet watches at this diameter, which helps it disappear under a shirt cuff and suits a wider range of wrist sizes than the case width alone might suggest. The T601 runs on a Sellita SW200 base that Tudor has modified and regulates in-house — not an exotic movement, but a thoroughly proven architecture that any watchmaker can service, which over a long ownership matters more than its origins might imply.
- Reference
- M28503-0007
- Brand
- Tudor
- Collection
- Royal
- Case size
- 38mm
- Case thickness
- 10.6mm
- Lug width
- 10mm
- Case material
- Two-tone
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Brown
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- T601
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Two-tone
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Condition
- Ex-display
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 45mm
- Power reserve
- 38 hours
- Origin
- Swiss made
Learn more about Tudor
Tudor exists because Hans Wilsdorf wanted to sell a Rolex to people who could not afford one. He registered the name in 1926 and relaunched it properly in 1946 as a separate company: Rolex cases, Rolex bracelets, Rolex crowns, but bought-in movements — usually ETA — at a fraction of the price.
For decades this made Tudor the practical choice for organisations buying in bulk. The French Marine Nationale issued Submariners to its divers. The US Navy tested them. Tudor's military history is arguably richer than Rolex's, because navies bought Tudors.
The watches developed their own identity regardless. The snowflake hands fitted to Submariners from 1969, specified by the French navy for legibility, became a signature the brand still uses. The Monte Carlo chronographs of the early 1970s, with their orange and blue dials, look nothing like anything Rolex made.
The brand withdrew from the US market in 1996 and spent a decade in relative obscurity before returning in 2013 with the Heritage Black Bay, which mined the archive rather than chasing modernity. It worked. Tudor now develops its own movements through a partnership with Kenissi, supplies calibres to Breitling, and holds METAS Master Chronometer certification — a technical position it never had when it was simply the affordable Rolex.
- 1926
- Hans Wilsdorf registers the Tudor name.
- 1946
- Montres Tudor SA is established as a separate company.
- 1969
- Snowflake hands appear on Submariners for the French navy.
- 2012
- The Black Bay revives the brand internationally.
- 2015
- The first in-house Tudor calibre is released.
Also in 6 collections
This watch appears in the Tudor Royal range (11), Back in Stock (4,847), Automatic Watches (1,736), Two-Tone Watches (476), Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (344) and Brown Dial Watches (95).
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What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- 38mm suits most wrists
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Tudor's range as we list it
Worth knowing
- 38-hour reserve means winding it after a day off
Tudor Royal alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | M28503-0007 | 01 400 7778 7153-07 7 | AIRCO-M1-BK-B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,050 | £2,750 | £2,950 |
| Case size | 38mm | 39mm | 40mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Titanium bracelet | Leather strap |
| Power reserve | 38 hours | 120 hours | 38 hours |
| This watch | Closely matched |
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedHow long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 38 hours fully wound — so it will usually stop if you leave it off overnight.
What size strap does it take?
10mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Will it fit my wrist?
Lug-to-lug is 45mm, which suits wrists from roughly 16cm (6¼ inches) upward.
Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.
How to size a watch to your wristIs it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as unisex, and at this size it suits any wrist that takes the dimensions.
Cheapest place to buy
Both Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths list it at £3,050, so choose on delivery and warranty rather than price.
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