One of the many factors that makes a brand stand out is the iconic component that is unique to its identity. For the Swiss horology brand Tudor, this exclusive element is undoubtedly the Snowflakes emblem – angular hand needles with square shaped hour calibres, which has been featured on countless timepieces across the decades.

Originally introduced on two diving watches in 1969, this innovation allowed watch manufacturers to add luminescence to it – resulting in timepieces that are legible in any given lighting condition and fitting for the house’s tagline #BornToDare.

In the decades to follow, Snowflakes became well-known not only among watch collectors, but amassed new followers among the divers of navy forces from all over the world including France, Canada, Italy, who all started sporting timepieces that featured this specification by Tudor.

Initially a configuration that appeared only on diving watches, the high-end Swiss watchmaker later reinforced this unique element on its Black Bay and Pelagos models that were launched at the Baselworld 2012.

Fast forward to fifty years from its very first appearance, Snowflakes has continued to be one of Tudor’s defining features that is immediately recognised by watch aficionados globally.