Tudor  BLACK BAY  Watches

Tudor Black Bay: A Tribute to a Classic

The Black Bay collection was first released by Tudor in 2012, and it is an ode to Tudor's iconic 1954 Submariner. The Tudor Black Bay collection has a variety of watches that range from chronographs to time-only versions. Some timepieces pay tribute to designs and watches of the past, while others challenge the conventions and reimagine the archetype of vintage watches. In all, the Tudor Black Bay collection is a versatile range that presents a touch of the past with modern complications that bring forth timepieces that are eye-catching, functional, and possess the highest quality of complications.

Prices at a Glance: The Most Popular Tudor Black Bay Watches

How much is a Tudor Black Bay watch?

To give you an idea of the prices you can expect from the Tudor Black Bay collection, we've listed down some of its noteworthy pieces below:

Starting this list is the Tudor Black Bay S&G. This gold and steel watch is equipped with the Manufacture Calibre MT5612, sporting a more refined look compared to other dive watches. With a distinct look that sets it apart from the traditional Black Bay watches, the Black Bay S&G has a starting price of $3,875. 

The Tudor Black Bay Black is yet another noteworthy timepiece in the Black Bay collection. This model began a lot of "firsts" for the collection: it was the first to feature a rivet-style bracelet, the first to feature a traditional black bezel, and the first timepiece to feature the manufacture movement. The watch is also known to be highly versatile in terms of use, as you can pair it with almost anything and wear it anywhere. Moreover, this timepiece’s design is the closest that you'll get to the 1950s Submariner, a nod to the early watches that inspired the collection. The starting price for the Black Bay Black is $3,475.

Adding a new flair to the Black Bay line-up is the Tudor Black Bay GMT. The watch is pegged as a modern diver and a travel watch that is the ideal travel companion for those who are always on the search for adventure. It has a date window, a 24-hour GMT hand, and a rotating 24-hour bezel. With this watch, it's unlikely that you'll lose track of them wherever you may be. The Black Bay GMT is a culmination of modern and vintage design by combining elements of old-school GMT watches with the robust proportions of a modern watch. The prices for the Black Bay GMT start at $3,625. 

The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Navy Blue is one of the longest lines in the collection. This timepiece, in particular, is a 39mm wide and 11.9mm thick timepiece that runs on the brand's in-house MT5402 movement. It is a diver watch that pays tribute to the original French-military-issued Tudors. This Navy Blue timepiece is at once eye-catching and subtle, meaning that you can take it anywhere without it inviting too much unwelcome attention. The prices for the Black Bay Fifty-Eight Navy Blue start at $4,519.

Lastly, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono is a modern take on an old-school dive watch. This particular timepiece takes on the image of a vintage dive watch and turns it into a modern chronograph with complications of the highest standards. The watch retains the elongated Snowflake hands and the silhouette of a vintage watch, but also adds on to these with a tachymeter bezel and other complications that transform it into a modern timepiece. While the Black Bay Chrono shares the same silhouette of a vintage watch, it still has its own personality and challenges the conventions on what a sports chronograph can and should be. The starting price for the Black Bay Chrono is $4,775. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg of the Tudor Black Bay collection. There is more to love about this collection and even more timepieces to look forward to. 

Tudor Black Bay's History and Design Details

Tudor first launched their Black Bay collection in 2012 as an ode to the brand's iconic Submariner. The collection is inspired by the Reference 7922 Submariner, which was released way back in 1954 and established a name for itself in the world of horology. 

At present, the Black Bay collection has more than a dozen different variations. Some designs pay tribute to the original design, while others are complete reimaginings of the original Submariner. From high-quality chronographs to time-only versions, the Black Bay collection does not run out of surprises for fans and collections alike. 

The Black Bay collection is strongly connected to the brand's distinctive design and qualities that set the company apart from other watches. While the Black Bay is a modern incarnation of the Submariner, they do not have the same crown guards. Instead, the watches are patterned after the 1950s Submariner models, which boasted oversized crowns that made for greater water resistance and better manipulation. 

While the Black Bay collection takes inspiration from the previously-released Submariner, it still possesses its own unique charm. Not only are the watches powered by Tudor’s in-house calibers, but they also boast designs that set them apart from each other.

Tudor Black Bay’s In-House Movements 

In 2015, Tudor took a huge leap towards becoming a more independent company when it launched its first in-house caliber. Not only did the launch of this in-house caliber give Tudor a clear direction towards the path of success, but it also gave the brand more power and control over its manufacturing process. This was a big step for Tudor, as they only used common or off-the-shelf calibers since the company began producing watches.

All of the company's in-house calibers are certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) and are given the COSC Certification which certifies that the watch is Swiss-made and that they have passed the testing made by the organization involved. 

That said, here are some of Tudor's in-house calibers that you should familiarize yourself with:

First up is the Caliber MT5621, the first in-house caliber launched by Tudor. Displaying hours, minutes, and seconds, this piece has an instantaneous date and stop-seconds for  better time settings. Additionally, the caliber allows the watch to have a 70-hour power reserve. 

As for the Caliber MT5652, it is Tudor’s first GMT movement. This movement was first seen in the Tudor Heritage Black Bay GMT 79250BM. Timepieces equipped with this caliber have an additional hour hand and a date function. Furthermore, watches of this caliber also allow users to keep track of multiple time zones. 

Next is Tudor's Caliber MT5612. This caliber was made for the Tudor Pelagos. It shows the hours, minutes, seconds, and date. It also has a power reserve of 70 hours. 

Up next is the Tudor Caliber MT5601. This caliber was first found in the Tudor Black Bay Bronze 79250BM. It is a larger version of the MT5602 as the Black Bay Bronze has a larger case, and would hence need a larger movement. 

Last on this list is the Caliber MT5602. This caliber is a time-only movement and displays only the minute, second, and hour hands. This movement was first introduced in the new Black Bay model, particularly the Heritage Black Bay 79230.

New 2021 Tudor Black Bay Models

With the release of their models for 2021, Tudor prepared an array of models but none of them are as anticipated as the new additions to the Black Bay collection. Each watch stays true to Black Bay's reputation of being fun, aesthetic, and retro-inspired while still maintaining and offering the same high quality that the brand is known for. 

That aside, here are some of the new additions to the Black Bay collection.

New Tudor Black Bay Chrono

The Tudor Black Bay Chrono has an entirely new look. While it still pays tribute to vintage watches with its design, the timepiece presents two new colors that are very hard to miss. The new Black Bay Chrono now comes in black and white, which not only gives the design a breath of fresh air but it also makes the modern watch sport a more retro look. Additionally, the new Black Bay Chrono has a thinner case despite being a chronograph. The watch maintains its 41mm diameter but is now enclosed in a 14.4mm thick case which takes away some of the thickness that comes with a chronograph. 

New Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K

The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K is a timepiece that has been long anticipated by fans and collectors alike. The 39mm watch is encased in an 18K yellow gold case that greatly complements the green in the watch. This timepiece transcends timekeeping as it not only presents precision and complications of the highest caliber, but also because of its aesthetic that will surely be the talk of the town for years to come. 

New Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925

Silver is an unusual material to use for a watch, which is why the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 easily caught the attention of watch aficionados. At first, the timepiece might seem like an odd choice as it has a taupe dial that is uncommon in most watches, but the color simply exudes effortless elegance. 

New Tudor Black Bay 32/36/41

The Tudor Black Bay is known for having a variety of sizes in its arsenal. Most of their watches come with a black or blue dial but this year, the company has also released silver dial versions — perfect if you aren't a fan of garish colors on your timepieces. Not only does it present an eye-catching change in the design, but it also makes the watches more wearable on a day-to-day basis for those who are looking for something a bit more casual compared to the collection's traditional black and blue. 

Reasons to Buy a Tudor Black Bay Watch

The watch industry can get very daunting — especially since there are just so many brands to choose from. The Tudor Black Bay collection is just one of the many collections that you'll find under the Tudor brand name and in the world of horology. That said, there are many things to consider, especially if you're looking for an investment or a great addition to a collection.

If you're debating whether you should purchase a Tudor Black Bay timepiece or not, here are a couple of reasons as to why you should consider purchasing one.

1. First, the Black Bay watches run on COSC Certified in-house calibers. They also function on one of the company's in-house movements. Hence, it's guaranteed that you're getting something that is uniquely Tudor. Moreover, these calibers have a 70-hour power reserve—very impressive compared to the in-house calibers of other brands.

2. Second, design and function go hand-in-hand. Since its first release in 2012, the Tudor Black Bay collection has grown in number. They now have over a dozen models available, with something for everyone out there. From watches with bigger diameters to watches that are about 36mm in size, there is a watch for most collectors in the Black Bay collection. 

3. Third, these timepieces hold value. If you're looking to purchase a timepiece from the collection as an investment, you’re making the right decision. Because of the company’s reputation and the high quality of the watches, you can guarantee that the watches in this collection hold their value and increase as the years go by. Apart from the design, the complications of the collection help to preserve its value which makes it a great investment for those who are looking to sell their watches in the future.

4. Fourth, it boasts a retro vibe with modern complications. The collection is inspired by Tudor’s vintage Submariner. The design exudes a vibe that is vintage with modern and state-of-the-art complications. The watches may look retro but you can guarantee that you’re getting the latest technology and the latest complications in your timepiece.

5. Lastly, the Black Bay collection is large. There are over a dozen variations available for each model in the Black Bay collection. These include a variety of designs and modifications that will surely pique the interest of someone who is looking for something very specific. 

Famous Patrons of the Tudor Black Bay

As Tudor’s fame continues to rise, it won’t be a surprise if it has caught the attention of even the brightest stars and athletes. The brand is no stranger to the spotlight and has even been spotted on the wrist of celebrities and athletes alike. Here are some of them:

David Beckham

Former professional footballer and one of the most respected athletes in the world, David Beckham has been seen sporting the Black Bay Bronze among other Tudor timepieces. It’s also worth mentioning that Beckham is one of many celebrity ambassadors of Tudor alongside stars like Lady Gaga and Jay Chou.

Lady Gaga

Speaking of Lady Gaga, as an ambassador of Tudor, you can expect that she has been seen sporting a watch from the company as well. The singer-actress has been seen wearing the Tudor Black Bay 32, a timepiece known for its steel and gold body. The Black Bay 32 borders between being sporty and fashionable which makes it an ideal match to Lady Gaga's lifestyle.

The All Blacks 

The All Blacks is a Rugby team that hails from New Zealand. They are best known for their incomparable stamina and endurance in the field. Like Beckham and Gaga, the All Blacks are also ambassadors of the brand. That said, you can expect them to be spotted wearing timepieces from the brand. The All Blacks wear the Black Bay Dark, which is an elegant black steel diver's watch. 

Tudor Black Bay: Retro Watch Reimagined

The Tudor Black Bay collection breathes new life to the brand's iconic Submariner watch. While the timepieces pay tribute to the company's vintage watches, each of them sports unique personalities that make them distinct from each other. The Black Bay collection remains one of Tudor's most iconic lines and for good reason as well. Not only do they test the conventions of a traditional watch but they also combine elements from modern and retro to create watches that are both aesthetically pleasing and reliable. In all, a timepiece from the Black Bay collection is a must-have for watch aficionados.