SpotlightA Robust Trio: Tudor’s Black Bay Collection Is Strengthened With Three New Outstanding Creations

Known for their mechanical watches offering unmatched precision, sophisticated style, and proven reliability, the award-winning brand Tudor have knocked it out of the park at this year’s Watches and Wonders—the largest horological extravaganza that sets the ball rolling for the watch industry. They have focused majorly on their famed Black Bay line, which was first introduced in 2012 and upgraded with a manufacture calibre, four years later. And now this three-hand timekeeper has been given a monochromatic avatar with an inky black dial and applied rhodium-plated hour markers and hands for a modern aesthetic. This watch is a fine example of the brand’s commitment to cutting-edge technology imbued with design elements of robust professional dive watches created in the 1950s—strengthened over the years. This is one of the most distinct designs from Tudor and the latest reference retains the original case proportions of 41mm albeit with a slimmer profile. It is topped by a unidirectional bezel in steel with black aluminium insert, which is easy to manoeuvre, and features a 60-minute scale. These numerals are subtly curved, aligning with the outline of the outer ring. Here, even the hands are reminiscent of dive watches of yore, especially the seconds hand with a lollipop design, in sync with the neo-vintage aesthetic. The crown has also been redesigned to incorporate the curves found on the crowns of Tudor’s historical tool watches.

It is powered by the manufacture calibre MT5602-U, which is both COSC- and METAS-certified, and these vouch for the timekeeper’s technical supremacy and unmatched performance. Its rotor is crafted in tungsten monobloc and is openworked along with a polished and decorated main plate and bridges. This Master Chronometer runs within a tolerance range of 0/+5 seconds, and is impervious to magnetic fields below 15,000 gauss. It can run smoothly up to 70 hours and is ‘weekend-proof’, which means that the wearer can take it off on a Friday and strap it on to the wrist again on Monday, without having to wind it.

The Black Bay 58 18-karat yellow gold—a material used for the first time in the brand’s dive watch segment, looks spectacular as it is entirely satin-finished for a matte effect. It is paired with an olive green dial that complements the rich hue of the case and bracelet, and also features the signature ‘Snowflake’ hands and applied hour markers in 18-karat yellow gold

Then there are also two new iterations introduced in the Black Bay 58 line—a resplendent three-hand model in 18-karat yellow gold and a stylish GMT model—both measuring 39mm. The Black Bay 58 is named after the year when the brand’s first dive watch, waterproof to 200m—the reference 7924, popularly known as the ‘Big Crown’, was introduced. The 18-karat yellow gold model—a material used for the first time in the brand’s dive watch segment, looks spectacular as it is entirely satin-finished for a matte effect. It is paired with an olive green dial that complements the rich hue of the case and bracelet, and also features the signature ‘Snowflake’ hands and applied hour markers in 18-karat yellow gold. This version is powered by the new manufacture calibre MT5400, which offers a power reserve of at least 70 hours and is visible through the exhibition caseback.

The Black Bay 58 GMT is a sophisticated timekeeper with a contemporary design and is an ideal companion for jet-setters. The 39mm stainless-steel case has been crafted in a manner that keeps up with the characteristic proportions of the 1950s era. This was a time when the popularity of aviation watches was soaring among the general population and they were no longer just restricted to professionals. This was also a time when people were fascinated by the glamour of commercial travel and jet-setting through different time zones.

The bezel is one of the most outstanding features here and comes in a burgundy and black colourway with a gilt 24-hour scale, keeping up with the general design codes of the Black Bay line

The dial is satin black and is gently radial-brushed for a subtle glow when placed under direct light and also features the ‘Snowflake’ hands as well as the seconds hand with a lollipop design

Finishing gilt touches are also found on the hour markers and hands, and the crown features the trademark Tudor rose logo in relief

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The bezel is one of the most outstanding features here and comes in a burgundy and black colourway with a gilt 24-hour scale, keeping up with the general design codes of the Black Bay line. Finishing gilt touches are also found on the hour markers and hands, and the crown features the trademark Tudor rose logo in relief. The dial is satin black and is gently radial-brushed for a subtle glow when placed under direct light and also features the signature ‘Snowflake’ hands as well as the seconds hand with a lollipop design.

This handsome watch is driven by the new mid-size GMT manufacture calibre MT5450-U, certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), with a silicon hairspring, and a 65-hour power reserve. It also offers a generous water-resistance of 200m, thanks to the sturdy case profile

This handsome watch is driven by the new mid-size GMT manufacture calibre MT5450-U, certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), with a silicon hairspring, and a 65-hour power reserve. It also carries a Master Chronometer certification from METAS that guarantees unparalleled precision and supreme accuracy even when the timepiece is subjected to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. It also offers a generous water-resistance of 200m, thanks to the sturdy case profile and is offered in a choice between a stainless-steel three-link ‘rivet-style’ bracelet or a black rubber strap—both replete with the brand’s ‘T-fit’ rapid adjustment clasp for a snug fit on the wrist.