The Watch: Tudor doesn’t talk much about the Hydronaut era—and neither do most collectors. From 1998 to 2012, these watches bridged the gap between Tudor’s Rolex-shadowed past and its modern revival. It was a time of experimentation: bolder shapes, unusual dials, and aggressive branding (see: the Tiger Woods tie-ins). You won’t find these watches on Tudor’s official timeline, but they mattered—this was the final chapter before the Black Bay reset the brand in 2012.
The 85190P is the midsize model from that era: 36mm in stainless steel with a smooth bezel, silver sunburst dial, and classic Prince Date layout. Applied indices, Mercedes hands, and a magnified date at 3 keep things functional. The five-link bracelet mixes polish and brush, with screw links and a fold-out dive extension—surprisingly well-built for what was then a mid-tier sports watch.
Inside is the ETA 2824-2, automatic and easily serviced. Water resistance is rated to 200m, and the drilled lugs make strap swaps easy. It’s compact, under-the-radar, and undeniably of its time—in the best way.
Condition: Excellent pre-owned condition. Some light marks. See photos.
