Although nothing here (other than the stainless steel insert) is actually all that brand new, 2 Tudor City Place Nyc have again proven their ability to create solid offerings one of their particular multitude of watches such that there is something for everyone’s own individual taste. One thing is for sure, the Tudor Black Bay Steel and really the whole Black Bay line present a solid argument for value equipped with in-house manufactured motions priced at $3,800 about the stainless steel bracelet or3,475 on an aged leather strap. Besides sorting out all the facts to learn about a watch, a few watches you won’t know if you’ll enjoy until you place them on. Appreciating a wristwatch is truly a combination of three things. First is liking the way it looks. Second is liking the way it feels while wearing it. Third is the ability to feel the value would be well worth the asking price – especially compared to the contest. Walking from the window of this Tudor booth at Baselworld 2017, ” I did not think much of the “me too” two-tone Tudor Heritage Black Bay S&G with its attractive but predictably handsome gold and steel looks. Afterward, wearing it, I finally realized that it had been, for me, Swiss Tudor’s celebrity of this show.I can’t talk for the entire world, but I understand that in the United States that the Tudor Heritage Black Bay collection is easily the most successful and best selling of Tudor’s watches. Because of this, Tudor has created a fairly large family of Black Bay models, while at the same time trying to offer you a wholesome degree of selection (versus mere color adjustments) between the many models. Although I do not personally have one yet. Eventually, I probably will. One good reason for that is that I am pretty stuck on Tudor’s big brother Rolex, though I really do feel that Tudor offers a great deal of value for those whose price cap is roughly $3,000 – $5,000.

Tudor launched a pair of dive watches at Baselworld 2012, one of which is the retro styled Heritage Black Bay, ref. 79220R. The other new diver is the 500 m Pelagos in titanium, ref. 25500TN, with self-adjusting dive clasp. Both watches have received lots of positive attention due to their design and price. There was lots of anticipation building up to its release date. Finally the Black Bay is just being delivered now and is already selling briskly, as expected. 

The Tudor Black Bay on the aged leather strap

Unlike most vintage inspired watches, the Black Bay is not a faithful remake of any specific model, rather it has elements from various dive watches from the past. Despite being a mish mash of different models, the result is a compelling buy.

The Black Bay has all the right details that are most attractive in fifties dive watches, the gilt dial. 

The text on the dial is hews to the vintage Tudor diver

And it has Tudor’s trademark snowflake hands, plated in rose gold to match the dial. Together wih the red bezel this is a very distrinctive watch, which is an achievement for a traditional looking dive watch.

The uniquely shaped snowflake hands

Another noteworthy detail is the slightly domed sapphire crystal, hence the slight distortion at the edges when viewed at an angle.

What gives away its modern origins is the red band around the stem of the crown. I don’t like this detail, it is somewhat incongruous with the rest of the watch, though it does not that bothersome since it’s a subtle detail.

The ring around the stem matches the bezel insert

And of course at 41 mm the Black Bay a lot chunkier than its 39 mm predecessors. And on the bracelet – which has solid links and end-links – it feels solid on the wrist.



Like the other models in the Heritage series like the Heritage Advisor alarm, the Black Bay is available with a steel bracelet as well as fabric band (it comes with both), which retails for S$4550, about US$3600. Note that the fabric strap is styled like NATO strap with a loop under the watch, but it is actualy uses the spring bars which run through the band to secure it. 

From left to right: fabric strap, aged leather strap and steel bracelet

The woven fabric band

Another option is the aged leather strap and the fabric band, which is S$4130, approximately US$3260. I instinctively like the bracelet version but the aged leather band really grows on you.



Tudor’s strap supplier did a convincing job of aging the leather

This watch is even more compelling than the Heritage Chronograph “Monte Carlo”, even though it’s a far less accurate historial remake. The Black Bay is well priced and a strong design, proving that the Monte Carlo was not a one hit wonder and that Tudor is on the right track. Enjoy the rest of the photos.

– SJX

The Tudor rose logo on the crown