Though nothing here (besides the stainless steel insert) is really all that new, The Tudors Cast have yet again proven their ability to produce solid offerings among their own multitude of watches such that there is something for everyone’s own personal preference. One thing is for certain, the Tudor Black Bay Steel and indeed the entire Black Bay line pose a strong argument for worth equipped with in-house manufactured motions priced at $3,800 on the stainless steel bracelet or $3,475 on an aged leather strap. Besides sorting out all of the facts to learn about a watch, a few watches you won’t know if you’ll like until you place them on. Appreciating a wristwatch is really a mixture of 3 items. First is liking how it looks. Second is enjoying how it feels while wearing it. Third is an ability to feel that the value is well worth the asking price – especially compared to the competition. Walking from the window of this Tudor booth in Baselworld 2017, ” I didn’t think much of this “me too” two-tone Tudor Heritage Black Bay S&G with its attractive but predictably handsome gold and steel seems. Afterward, wearing it, I finally realized that it had been, for me personally, Swiss Tudor’s star of the show.I can’t talk for the entire Earth, but I understand that in the United States the Tudor Heritage Black Bay collection is easily the strongest and best selling of Tudor’s watches. For that reason, Tudor has produced a rather large family of Black Bay models, while at the same time trying to offer a wholesome level of selection (versus mere colour changes) between the many versions. For the most part, I can endorse nearly all of them as good options for individuals seeking a decently priced classic-looking sports opinion. Although I do not personally have one yet. Eventually, I probably will. 1 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 lot of value for those whose cost cap is roughly $3,000 – $5,000.

Only a few days ago Tudor unveiled the Heritage Black Bay Black, a dive watch that’s closest to the vintage Submariners that inspired it. But the one of a kind Heritage Black Bay One is even better. Modelled on the Submariner reference 7923 of 1954, the Black Bay One (reference 7923/001) is a unique piece created for charity auction Only Watch, with tweaks that will make it the most expensive modern day Tudor 89193 timepiece ever once it goes under the hammer on November 7.

Tudor has had a good run with its vintage-inspired Black Bay dive watches, now numbering three models including the original in red, as well as the Black Bay Blue. They combine affordability with an easily digestible look that’s a blend of elements from vintage Tudor Submariners. The Black Bay One was conceived with the very same formula, but using elements found on no other Tudor watch.

The Black Bay One has a unique model reference 7923/001

The dial is the most obvious difference. It has a glossy finish, instead of the matte surface on the ordinary model. And the depth rating is in red – the only Tudor with this – and something reminiscent of vintage Rolex dive watches.

Like the vintage reference 7923, the Black Bay One has pencil-shaped hands, along with a seconds hand that features a disc at its tip, nicknamed the “lollipop” seconds. All the hands are gold-plated to match the gilt dial, with the lettering, logo and minute track printed in gold paint.

The aluminium bezel insert is black with a red triangle at 12 o’clock, featuring only five minute markings, lacking the hashmarks for the first 15-minutes that’s standard on modern Tudor dive watches. And the final unique feature is straight end links of the bracelet. This is also found on the Heritage Ranger, but unique amongst dive watches.

What the Black Bay One does share with the standard Black Bay is the stainless steel case. It’s 41mm in diameter, with a beautiful, broad polished bevel along the edge of the lug. Inside is the ETA 2824, also standard on all Black Bay models.

Sold with a custom made wooden presentation box as well as spare NATO-style canvas strap woven in an old school manner, the Black Bay One is lot 30 in Only Watch 2015 (e-catalogue here), set to go under the hammer on November 7 in Geneva. It carries an estimate of SFr3500 to Sfr4500, which will likely be exceeded five to ten fold.