Look at some classic dive watches out of Tudor and you’re going to see where the “snowflake” hour hand and marker designs come out of. This was from largely the 1970s, I think, when Tudor was attempting to take Rolex’s signature dive watch dial design and alter it somewhat so that there was less “model confusion.” Now watches like the Tudor Heritage Black Bay in addition to the Pelagos prominently include the block snowflake-style hour, and accompanying dial layout elements.Other case design elements are borrowed from classic Tudor layouts, but largely in decorative ways. I say it to explain that Tudor wasn’t held back by the necessity to pay homage to its history while growing the Pelagos. Instead, when they had to figure out stuff like the design of their lugs, crown guards, hour markers, etc. they simply pulled from their history. These arguably decorative elements (that can be designed in a ton of ways) are the skin on a very modern and solid tool watch.The first Pelagos watches had a limited lifespan since only a couple of years later Tudor chose to replace the Swiss ETA-sourced automatic movements with those made in-house by Tudor. In 2015, aBlogtoWatch reviewed the Tudor Pelagos 25600 TB view in blue, which sported the in-house made caliber MT5612 automated motion. Besides the new movement, the situation was created a hair thicker, as well as the dial text shifted a bit. The price of the Pelagos went up several hundred dollars, but is still regarded as a very good value compared to the competition.The Tudor Pelagos LHD was debuted (here on aBlogtoWatch) because of mid-cycle launch toward the end of 2016. Many left-handed people (not myself actually) wear watches on their right arm, given the crown would be in the “right place” facing the wrist. Most left handed watches are in fact not worn to the ideal hand, but instead on the left hand (as right-handed watches are) because people either like the look of the crown facing the direction, or since it raises wearing comfort as the crown is not in a position to dig into your wrist.

While the original Tudor Y Estuardo Heritage Black Bay was all gilt and faux patina, the Black Bay in blue (ref. 79220B) is the complete opposite. While keeping the exact same design, Tudor has taken most of the colours out, giving the new Black Bay a nearly monochromatic look. The result is a serious-looking and understated dive watch.

Instead of striking red, the latest Black Bay has a midnight blue bezel with a matching dark blue ring on the crown tube. Blue is not a new colour for Tudor dive watches, its Submariners were once offered in blue, including the so-called Mil-subs issued to the Marine Nationale Française (French Navy).

The dial design is the same as before, just in different colours. Instead of a dark brown hue, it is deep, pure black, with silvered indices and white text instead of the gold-toned dial of the original. And the creamy ivory luminous material of the first Black Bay has been replaced with stark white Luminova. Though it still has a vintage style, the new Black Bay feels fresher and more contemporary than the original.

Just as before, the steel case is 41 mm in diameter, with an ETA 2824 automatic inside. It’s fitted with a domed sapphire crystal, and rated to 200 m.

Available on either a steel bracelet or a dark blue distressed leather strap, the Black Bay is also supplied with an additional blue fabric NATO-style band.

It will retail for the same as the original Black Bay, at 2950 Swiss francs (~US$3330) on the strap and 3250 Swiss francs (~US$3670) on the steel bracelet.