Jewellery & Watch News
TUDOR returns to the archetypal dive watch DNA of the Black Bay, redesigning it to offer a monochromatic, METAS-certified iteration that is sure to prove just as popular as all Black Bay watches that have gone before it.
The TUDOR Black Bay watch hit the market in 2012 as a sporty vintage diver’s watch that has since grown and grown. The standard model now sits inside a multi-faceted range where you can find small sizes without the diver’s bezel, in-house powered movements, GMT models, and even some iterations that are inspired by the brand’s very first official diving watch. As if the TUDOR Black Bay watch collection was not diverse enough, the Swiss expert has now released a revamped Black Bay watch for 2024, complete with a monochrome aesthetic and an emblematic design that now forms part of the third generation of the popular neo-vintage dive watch.
The Origins of the Black Bay Watch from TUDOR
When Hans Wilsdorf founded TUDOR in 1926, his vision was to create timepieces with the same substance and style as Rolex but at a more affordable price. Originally, some of the styles could be directly likened to those of some of Rolex’s most popular wristwatches. But over time, the TUDOR brand came to grow its own wings, garnering a huge following with its own identity, thanks to designs like the Black Bay.
The first TUDOR watch equipped with the famed Oyster case came along shortly after the brand was founded. The TUDOR Prince watch followed in 1952, around the same time that the brand was partnering with the French Navy. The relationship would result in the brand’s first dive watch – the TUDOR Oyster Prince Submariner. It was water-resistant to 100 meters and boasted a Mercedes handset, but would soon be improved to offer 200-meter water-resistant capabilities, complete with an oversized winding crown. The most substantial redesign, however, came about in 1969 with the launch of the dial with the “Snowflake” hands – a feature that would lend an element of inspiration to the Black Bay series.
The Black Bay Watch Re-Designed
The new Black Bay 41 watch from TUDOR features the classic black dial with “Snowflake” hands, treated with generous amounts of luminous material. This time, brand specialists refer to the dial as “inky black” – giving these watches a new enticing, luxurious and indulgent edge. The lollipop second hand against a radial brushed black dial is a nice feature. It sits on a domed and radially brushed surface, adding a touch of depth to the display. Surrounding the “inky blackness” is a unidirectional rotating bezel in matching black, with a clear 60-minute scale that proves useful when measuring elapsed time underwater (or elapsed time anywhere, for that matter!).
One other key feature of the newly redesigned TUDOR Black Bay watches for 2024, is their METAS certification. In what has been a gradual vision for TUDOR, the brand moves closer to its task of eventually making all TUDOR watches Master Chronometer certified. To pass the test, the Calibre MT5602-U must function within a 5-second range of variation each day (0/+5). It must also guarantee the timekeeping accuracy of a watch subjected to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. To carry the METAS-certified name, a watch must also be Swiss-made, be COSC-certified, operate within certain temperatures, and have a power reserve of at least 70 hours. It must also be protected within a case integrated with at least 200-meter water resistance – all qualities of which the new TUDOR Black Bay watch guarantees.
Speaking of architecture, there are some subtle changes to the case and a few nice strap options to enjoy the design on. There has been a gentle redesigning of the crown, which now sits further into the case, hiding the crown tube. Strap-wise, you can opt for the brand’s 3-link stainless steel bracelet, which points to the riveted bracelets originally developed by TUDOR in the 1950s. Or you could choose the five-link bracelet, with oval-shaped links - a nice choice if you want to use the watch for dressier occasions too. Both options come with the brand’s “T-Fit” clasp, enabling you to make quick adjustments whenever necessary. The fine adjustment allows for five different measurements and proves easy to carry out, requiring no additional tools. Alternatively, for something a little sportier and more relaxed, TUDOR offers its cut-to-size black rubber band. The inside of the strap is adorned with the iconic Snowflake pattern and also comes equipped with a handy T-FIT clasp.
The new Black Bay watch from TUDOR is also outfitted with the Calibre MT5602-U, which bears a sun laser design and mentions its Master Chronometer certification on its bridges. If you look closely, you’ll appreciate the rotor, fashioned in tungsten monobloc and openworked with radial grooving and sandblasted finishes.
The New Collectible
The new TUDOR Black Bay 41 watch is a redesign that is sure to be welcomed by devoted fans of the vintage diver watch. Although the differences are incredibly subtle, what is important is that the brand has preserved all the signature hallmarks that make the watch so collectable and well-loved.
If you’d like to experience the new TUDOR Black Bay watch for yourself, you can call and speak to a member of our C W Sellors sales team on 01335 216004 or email us at sales@cwsellors.com. Alternatively, you can check out all the new TUDOR Watches and Wonders 2024 releases here on our website.
