What We Know
Tudor’s North Flag has always been something of an outlier. It was originally launched in 2015 at Baselworld and was the first Tudor to feature one of the brand’s in-house movements. Only ever available in two specs, on a bracelet or on a leather strap, the North Flag (91210N) was discontinued in 2021. Today, the Northflag (now one word) returns, evolving the 2015 offering with a single reference that sports a 24-hour hand for a second time zone.
The new Northflag, ref. 9140G1A0U, uses 316L stainless steel for its 40mm case and integrated bracelet. The case is 12.7mm thick and 48.8mm lug-to-lug. Compared with the 40 x 13.3 x 50mm of the original North Flag, this new model should be more compatible with smaller wrists thanks to its more compact dimensions. The water resistance is 100 meters, and it has a domed sapphire crystal up front and a display caseback.
Inside, and viewable via that display caseback, is Tudor’s MT5652-U automatic movement. It’s a 4Hz METAS-certified Master Chronometer with a stated accuracy of -0 to +5 seconds/day. For those keeping track, this is the same second time zone-equipped movement found in the Pelagos FXD GMT. Both the date and the GMT function are set via the crown, and adjusting the second time zone is done by jumping the local hour hand to a new time zone (such as when you land at your destination) in standard “flyer” GMT functionality.
Like its predecessor, the second-gen Northflag’s dial is black, with minimal text and yellow accents (a real year for Tudor’s use of yellow). Both the seconds hand and the 24-hour hand are yellow, as are the hour sub markings on the rehaut design and the “Northflag” title on the dial. The date is presented in black on white in a chamfered aperture at three o’clock, and the lume for the hands and markers is a blue emission Grade A Super-Luminova.
The bracelet, integrated as it may be, is a matching steel two-link design with Tudor’s T-Fit micro-adjustment in the clasp. Like the case, it is largely brushed with minimal polished accents. There is only one reference at launch, and the Northflag carries a price tag of $5,525 and is available only via Tudor boutiques.
What We Think
Pretty good for a Tuesday morning before the kickoff of Geneva Watch Days. The first generation of the North Flag was always a deep cut appreciated for its distinctive design, in-house movement, and oddball charm. Thinner and better equipped than the original, the new model has traded the original’s (very cool) power reserve for a 4th hand and a 24-hour rehaut.
For a watch formed within the realm of exploration, I think a second time zone is likely a stronger selling point than a power reserve, especially given the automatic movement and the evolution of taste among Tudor’s core audience. As with the first gen, I think this new reference will be the insider’s choice, a strong but perhaps less commonly seen alternative to the Black Bays.
Keeping in mind that I have not seen anything more than the photos you see here, I dig it. It’s a great improvement in sizing, and the design maintains much of what made the North Flag interesting. While I think the gen 1 had a visual clarity that isn’t as strong in this new model, the addition of the second time zone should open up the market a bit, and you better believe I’m excited to see one in metal soon.
The Basics
Brand: Tudor
Model: Northflag
Reference Number: 9140G1A0U
Diameter: 40mm
Thickness: 12.7mm
Lug to lug: 48.8mm
Case Material: 316L Stainless steel
Dial Color: Black
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes, hands and markers
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Integrated steel two-link bracelet with T-Fit enabled clasp
The Movement
Caliber: Tudor MT5652-U
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone 24-hour hand
Diameter: 31.8mm
Thickness: 7.5mm
Power Reserve: 65 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 2,8,800 vph
Jewels: 32
Chronometer Certified: Yes, METAS certified to 0 to +5 seconds a day and COSC certified.
Pricing & Availability
Price: $5,525
Availability: Immediate via Tudor boutiques worldwide.
Limited Edition: No
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