Tudor Ranger automatic beige dial steel bracelet 36 mm

The Ranger Spirit & the New 36mm Format

The TUDOR Ranger is one of the brand’s most emblematic watches, shaped by decades of expeditions carried out in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Its true legacy begins in 1952 with the British North Greenland Expedition, a British scientific mission that spent two years on the ice fields of Greenland. Thirty members of the team were equipped with Oyster Prince watches — TUDOR’s first models to combine automatic winding and water resistance — whose accuracy they recorded daily following a strict methodology. These tests, conducted in polar cold, isolation and a complete absence of technical support, would become one of the pillars of TUDOR’s philosophy: creating reliable, simple and robust watches capable of withstanding the unimaginable.

But the spirit of adventure associated with TUDOR goes back even further. As early as 1929, Hans Wilsdorf registered the name “Ranger” to designate watches intended for exploration, long before it became a standalone model. In the 1960s, the Ranger’s aesthetic crystallised and became instantly recognisable:

• large Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12,
• a matte dial with strong contrast,
• distinctively shaped hands,
• exemplary legibility,
• a purposeful utilitarian sobriety.

The Ranger would evolve through the decades — manual or automatic movements, with or without a date, bearing either the TUDOR rose or shield — culminating in the 1973 Ranger II with its integrated bracelet. Yet its purpose remained the same: an accessible, reliable toolwatch designed for those who operate far from comfort and need an instrument they can truly rely on.

In 2025, this historic lineage continues with a striking new addition: the “Dune White” dial, featuring subtly grained sand tones inspired directly by extreme desert environments. This stylistic choice echoes TUDOR’s involvement in the Dakar, the world’s toughest race, where scorching heat, abrasive rock, omnipresent dust and constant vibrations challenge both mechanics and human determination. Once again, the Ranger naturally fits this context: simple, legible, reliable, ready to accompany drivers and co-drivers across the vast expanse of the Rub' al Khali — the “Empty Quarter” — one of the most hostile places on Earth.

This “Dune White” version is more than a brighter dial: it represents a new facet of the Ranger, oriented toward heat, dust, compass navigation and endurance, while remaining faithful to the polar heritage from which it was born.

The introduction of the new 36mm diameter further reinforces this identity. More compact, more versatile and better balanced, this format brings natural elegance without sacrificing the robustness that defines the Ranger. Fully satin-brushed for a matte, functional finish, the 36mm Ranger retains its understated yet assertive presence. Paired with the sand-coloured dial, it reveals a softer, more contemporary character while remaining a resolutely functional watch.

An instrument for adventure, a field watch but also a reliable everyday companion, the 36mm “Dune White” Ranger embodies the most accomplished expression of TUDOR’s spirit today: a simple, precise, luminous watch designed to accompany every moment — from burning dunes to city pavements.

The “Dune White” Dial & Legibility

The “Dune White” dial is the major aesthetic highlight of this new generation of Ranger. Its sand-coloured, lightly grained surface evokes both the dust of Dakar rally tracks and the dry whiteness of arid deserts. Unlike a traditional white dial, its matte, textured finish eliminates unwanted reflections, reinforcing the utilitarian spirit that defines the line.

To ensure optimal legibility despite the light background, TUDOR has opted for fully black Arabic numerals and markers, printed in strong contrast on the dial. A key detail: these numerals are not luminescent, giving the dial a more graphic, authentic look. Nighttime visibility is provided by small luminescent dots positioned around the edge of the dial — a discreet but effective solution, perfectly in keeping with the instrument-like design.

The hands, darkened to match the dial, retain the Ranger’s signature design:

• a shovel-shaped hour hand, instantly recognisable,
• a precise, angular minute hand,
• and a seconds hand with a bordeaux-red tip, a nod to recent models that adds a subtle and dynamic visual touch.

Together, these elements create a display of great clarity: clean, efficient and designed entirely for functionality. In this 36mm format, the tighter proportions give the dial an even more balanced and compact appearance, reinforcing its identity as a true field toolwatch — faithful to its origins yet adapted to today’s extreme environments.

The Manufacture MT5400 Movement

At the heart of this 36mm Ranger beats the Manufacture Calibre MT5400, engineered to deliver exemplary robustness and long-term precision, true to the spirit of TUDOR’s expedition watches. Developed at the Manufacture in Le Locle and certified as a chronometer by COSC, it even exceeds the demands of the independent institution thanks to TUDOR’s stricter internal tolerances: –2 to +4 seconds per day on the fully assembled watch.

Its construction relies on a variable-inertia balance held in place by a solid transversal bridge with double anchoring, ensuring superior stability against shocks and temperature variations. Paired with an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring, it provides excellent resistance to everyday disturbances as well as more extreme environments.

With a power reserve of approximately 70 hours — the so-called “weekend-proof” autonomy — the MT5400 allows the wearer to leave the watch off on Friday evening and pick it up again on Monday morning without winding.
A modern, high-performance movement designed for long-lasting reliability — perfectly aligned with the Ranger’s identity.

The Steel Bracelet & T-fit

On this “Dune White” version, the steel bracelet plays a key role in the watch’s overall visual balance. Fully satin-brushed and composed of three harmoniously proportioned links, it extends the Ranger’s utilitarian approach while giving it a more assertive presence on the wrist. Its matte, non-reflective finish naturally echoes the soft, granular texture of the sand-coloured dial, creating a visual identity that is both robust, luminous and subtly contemporary.

TUDOR equips this bracelet with its innovative T-fit clasp, a rapid adjustment system that allows the bracelet length to be modified over a range of 8mm, in five positions, without the need for any tools. This is particularly useful for adapting to temperature changes, shifts in activity or simply the level of comfort desired throughout the day.

Solid, well-balanced and remarkably comfortable, this steel bracelet enhances the versatility of the 36mm Dune White Ranger. Equally at home on a desert track or in the city, it gives this version a confident character and timeless appeal — a true modern toolwatch, ready for any terrain.

The Everyday Toolwatch

With its fully satin-brushed construction, compact 36mm diameter and sand-coloured dial that is both soft and highly legible, the 36mm “Dune White” Ranger stands out as a true modern toolwatch, built to endure environments as extreme as Greenland’s ice fields and scorching deserts. Water-resistant to 100 metres, protected by a domed sapphire crystal and equipped with a screw-down crown adorned with the TUDOR rose, it combines strength, sobriety and efficiency in a remarkably balanced ensemble.

Brighter than the black version yet equally functional, this 36mm Ranger offers outstanding comfort and a discreet wrist presence, perfectly suited to everyday use. Whether during an intense day, a journey, a hike or a simple urban routine, it proves precise, intuitive and entirely dependable.

True to the spirit of the Greenland explorers as well as the adventurous energy of the Dakar, the 36mm “Dune White” Ranger stands as a durable, practical and versatile instrument: a simple, robust watch ready to accompany every moment without ever losing its identity.
A true companion on the road, in the noblest sense of the term.