It’s a good day for the Tudor Black Bay lineup today at Watches & Wonders 2023. From subtle dial changes to new case sizes, the collection continues to serve as Tudor’s most widely-appealing flagship lineup. Now the watch that started it all—the Black Bay in 41mm—is getting an overhaul inside and out. Debuting in the original colorway Tudor chose for its release in 2012, this third-generation Tudor Black Bay is now available with METAS Master Chronometer certification and a few visual adjustments to help with the refresh.
It’s a slight relief, really, to see that the larger Tudor Black Bay in 41mm will not be discontinued. That was a concern of mine when we recorded our pre-show predictions episode this past weekend. Instead, Tudor has given new life to the model and marks their intent to transition the entirety of their range to METAS certification. While it retains its 41mm case size, the slab sides have been slightly rounded and the thickness reduced down to 13.6mm. Not exactly the most vintage-y dimensions. But hey, Tudor basically has you covered now at every size with the Tudor Black Bay 58 and Black Bay 54. We also get subtle changes to the minute hand and the Black Bay now comes with a lollipop seconds hand.
I love that they went full circle with the burgundy bezel here. And I’m guessing that later this year might be a good time to roll out blue and black versions. But that’s just me speculating. You also get some new strap and bracelet options along with the new and very popular T-Fit quick adjusting clasp. The watch is available on rubber with a fitted end link, or the three-link or five-link stainless steel bracelet. These are all handsome options that’ll help distinguish the watch from previous generations.
And let’s not forget that METAS certification is no small accomplishment. That means this MT5602-U movement should be operating at 0 to +5 seconds per day (COSC tolerance is -4 to +6 seconds a day). It’s a fitting transition to greatness for a watch that has done so much for the brand. I might even like this more than the white dial GMT. It’ll be a tough watch to get but you can learn more about picking one up at the brand’s official site.
Category: Tudor Watch
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Four 79000N
Earlier today, Tudor announced all of their novelties for Watches & Wonders 2023. And, among everything from an opaline-dial BB GMT to a METAS-certified steel Black Bay 41, the brand also took the wraps off of a new expression of the Black Bay format – the 54.
Intended as a sort of modern take on Tudor’s first dive watch (the reference 7922 of, you guessed it, the year 1954), the new Black By 54 (which goes by reference 79000) follows the downsizing pattern we’ve seen applied to the Black Bay line over the past few years, going from 41mm to 39 in the Black Bay Fifty-Eight, and now 37mm for the Tudor Black Bay 54 .
As I said in my original Intro, this will undoubtedly bring a new balance to the Black Bay line and offer specific appeal to those who either prefer a genuinely smaller dive watch or those who want a modern and robust Tudor that still feels like vintage.
Well, now I’ve had the chance to wear one for the better part of half an hour and I think Tudor made a great call in giving a smaller Black Bay the green light. The combination of minor detail tweaks (like the new crown and more sterile bezel, along with the very thin case profile) make for a lovely-wearing watch. It captures the proven appeal of the Fifty-Eight, but does so in a way that feels more willful in both its vintage inspiration and more intentional in the push for a smaller wrist presence. Despite measuring 37 x 11.24 x 46mm, the Black Bay 54 has 200 meters of water resistance. And though such dimensions are not so diminutive as to make the listed water resistance especially difficult, sub-38mm dive watches do not commonly offer 200 meters of water resistance. I’m not entirely sure why, but once you start to get on the smaller side of the dive watch realm (which is likely centered around 41 to 42mm), some of the specs start to diminish, with passive crowns, less water resistance, and the like.
Not here. With the Tudor, you get an actually small, vintage-like dive watch that still offers good water resistance, a luminous pip at 12 on the bezel, and a smooth 60-click bezel. After all, if you’re buying a Black Bay, even a small one, you want a proper diver watch. Additionally, you have the option of a steel bracelet, which tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 18mm at the clasp, or a black rubber that shares a similar taper en route to its fold-over steel safety clasp. Also of note, and value to my eyes, both the bracelet and the rubber strap feature clasps with Tudor’s T-Fit toolless micro-adjustment. I think it’s great that Tudor is including this on more of their bracelets – and even better that it’s now available on the available rubber strap.
For those asking, there is no official comment as to whether or not any of the Tudor Black Bay 54 hardware is interchangeable with other Black Bay models. Regardless, I really like T-Fit and it makes a lot of sense for a rubber strap that uses a fold-over clasp. Aside from the design elements I mentioned in the introduction to the 54, the main takeaway that I found from having it on my wrist is that it feels very much like a smaller Fifty-Eight, but that’s only partially because of the 37mm case. The rest comes down to thickness and, and the manner in which the 54’s various layers stack up on your wrist.
At 11.24mm thick, it’s already a slim watch, but even compared to my Pelagos 39 (which is only 11.8mm thick), the two wear very differently and the 54 both looks and feels much thinner. This is primarily due to how much of the thickness is tied to the crystal and bezel edge rather than in the bulk of the main case structure. The central case element is both quite thin and shaped to keep the lugs flat against your wrist. This gives the watch a very low profile that I didn’t expect, and one that made my Pelagos feel almost thick by comparison. It’s a nice bit of ergonomic consideration that ensures that the Black Bay 54 will likely suit a wide variety of wrists (also thanks to the 46mm lug-to-lug) while also wearing in a manner similar to an actual vintage sports watch.
The Tudor Black Bay 54 is offered only in no-date with a black/gilt-effect dial. Beneath that dial, we find Tudor’s manufacture MT5400 movement, which is COSC certified, ticks at 4 Hz, and has 70 hours of power reserve. Also seen in other no-date Tudor divers like the Pelagos 39 and the Black Bay 925, the MT5400 is produced under Tudor by Kenissi in a new Le Locle-based manufacture that is also where Tudor’s watches, including the new Black Bay 54, are assembled. I got a chance to tour the new facility just before Watches & Wonders and was very impressed by the experience. Expect a full report soon enough.
The Tudor Black Bay 54 will retail for $3,850 on the steel bracelet or $3,625 on the rubber strap. With such a small delta between the two prices, I’d be keen to see what the asking price would be if I got the steel and added the rubber, too. Both work well and as much as I’m often a fan of 3rd party rubber straps, the T-Fit clasp and the fitted end links are both welcome refinements over more conventional aftermarket options. At the price point, the Tudor Black Bay 54 remains a premium offering, similar to that of the other steel Black Bay models, but in a space that has fewer options in terms of dive watches with equal proportions and equal specs. It’s not the only option on the market, but I’d wager that after today – if you’re in the market for a smaller dive watch – it’s almost certainly on your list (or should be).
With the Tudor Black Bay 54, Tudor has managed a cool trick. They’ve expanded their scope by shrinking the Black Bay and creating one of the most appealing vintage-inspired dive watches I’ve seen so far in 2023.
TUDOR Ranger 79950
In July of 1952, Commander James Simpson of the British Royal Navy led a group of scientists and military personnel on a mission to Northern Greenland. This mission, known as the British North Greenland Expedition (or BNGE) involved conducting seismological and gravimetric surveys. Additionally, a number of scientific studies in geology, meteorology, physiology, and glaciology were also carried out. The mission took place over a period of two years and claimed the life of one of the men involved. Of the 30 men who participated, 26 were equipped with Tudor Oyster-Prince wristwatches. During their stay in Northern Greenland, they used BBC radio signals to keep track of the accuracy of these timepieces.
Today, Tudor sets its sights back on the adventuring spirit of 1952. The brand uses the inspiring tale of the icy expedition that surrounds those watches as spiritual inspiration for the new Ranger. Announced this afternoon in London, this latest Tudor watch is sure to cause a stir amongst Tudor fans. Whether it’s a welcome return or not, however, is yet to be seen. The new Ranger takes early 1960s design and charm, a pinch of Tudor and Rolex DNA, and wraps it up in a conveniently wearable 39mm package. But before I jump into the key details about the watch, let’s go back to earlier this week.
The new Tudor Ranger is a 39mm stainless steel sports watch with a classic 12-3-6-9 dial layout. Its design and looks harken back to both something old and something recent. The Ranger has its roots in the early ’60s. It was re-launched by Tudor several years ago, then discontinued a few years later. This new version, however, features the Tudor shield instead of the rose, a silver seconds hand with a red tip, and just the word “Ranger” for the text 6 o’clock. And though the BNGE was used in the campaign for the North Flag, it’s the Ranger’s return that it signals this time. The Ranger name does inspire a sense of adventure, so it also fits the bill. And as much as I still love the North Flag, the new Tudor Ranger is a likable, understated value proposition.
After the requisite period of social media teasing, Tudor has announced their big new summer release, a relaunch of the popular Ranger. While Tudor has been working feverishly over most of the past decade to build out their Black Bay line, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that, yes, the brand has a history of making sports watches that aren’t specifically made for diving. The Ranger, in this guise, is a simple three handed sports watch that will draw some comparisons to a certain watch made by Tudor’s sister company, which has a somewhat similar name, dial layout, and size. What it doesn’t share with that watch, however, is an affordable price tag, which feels like the most immediate story coming out of this launch.
We’re only halfway through July, but 2022 is already shaping up to be the year of the field watch. Legible, function-forward, military-adjacent wristwatches have been around for a century now, but have been on something of a glow-up lately. A lot of you know, love, and maybe even own the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical, which has not slowed down since its launch in 2017. Then we have the Rolex Explorer’s 2021 return to 36mm, followed by this year’s Watches & Wonders release of both the Tudor Black Bay Pro and the Patek Philippe Calatava 5226G-001. Add it all up and you’ll see that straightforward and casually capable steel sport watches are enjoying a moment.
Now Tudor is back with a new take on the Ranger to mark – to the day, no less – the 70th anniversary of the British North Greenland Expedition. While the new Tudor Ranger ref. 79950 doesn’t blaze new Tudor territory, it does re-establish the simple, straightforward, and endlessly robust steel sports watch in their lineup. And it’s yet another high-profile field watch with enthusiast chops, a strong value statement, and a vintage-derived aesthetic.
I won’t spend any time rehashing the British North Greenland Expedition, as Mark Kauzlarich covered it nicely with his initial introducing for the Ranger and my pal Jason Heaton wrote a lovely background on the only known surviving watch from the expedition here. This is the watch that inspired the new 2022 Tudor Ranger – at least spiritually.
Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G
Launched in 2022, the two tone Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G instantly captured the hearts and minds of watch enthusiasts across the world. Everyone expected for Tudor to come out with some amazing new watches in 2022 but I don’t know if anyone expected something like this.
The Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G is Tudors first reference in expanding the collection from the original Pepsi that was released in 2018. Many thought we were getting a coke version or at least something in stainless steel. This time, I’m glad the community was wrong.
Enough of the hype, let’s begin to talk about the watch. The two stand out features of this watch are the brown & black bezel and the mixture of stainless steel and yellow gold. Some might say that this is a little flashy for the brand, mostly known for being tool watches, but it’s such a great combination. It kind of reminds us of another watch produced by Tudors big brother Rolex, the Root Beer GMT Master II. Comparing both of these watches side by side and you’ll instantly notice some similarities but after close consideration, you’ll start to notice that both can stand on their own.
What make the Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G unique is that it has all the qualities, features, and value of its comparison that is sold at a much higher price tag. With a MSRP price of $5,550 the Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G is one of the best value purchases of maybe any GMT watch on the market. For that price you get a watch that has an in-house movement that is COSC certified, gold, brand recognition, superb quality control, and is manufactured to last a lifetime. It’s hard to beat the Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G on quality and price.
When I first saw the aluminum bezel color of brown and black I instantly smiled. It literally warmed my heart that Tudor had decided to come out with their own version of the Root Beer. This color combination, in my opinion, can only be pulled off when matched with a two two watch. The day night visibility may not be a vibrant on other GMT watches but I bet there are only a few that look better than this one.
Tudor as a brand has made great strides when it comes to their movements. They have made consistent investments into their R&D and manufacturing capabilities over the years and they are finally starting to show in their collections. In the past Tudor has been slightly criticized for only using the MT5652 movement in only one of their watches. Seeing this calibre now being used in two more watches, the Tudor Black Bay Pro being the other, is a great sign that the investment has been paying off.
When it comes to the specs of the Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G movement, well they are pretty good. The accuracy rating is +/- 2 seconds per day and the power reserve is 70 hours. Exactly what you’d expect from modern watchmaking technology and a brand on the level of Tudor.
Expect for there to be a waitlist for this watch but not to the same lengths as other watches in the Tudor collection. Our estimate is average waitlist times for customers who have a prior relationship with a Tudor authorized dealer is 3-9 months.
Tudor Heritage Ranger
People often overlook the Tudor Ranger and its qualities. Tudor, being the little brother of Rolex, easily garnered attention among the collecting and professional circle. You may be more familiar with the Tudor Heritage Chronograph or the Tudor Black Bay. Both watches have endured their times being number one, not only for the brand but for their respective categories in general. These are amazing watches themselves, but there’s something about the humble Tudor Ranger that makes it a true classic.
No, you won’t find any record-breaking or historic moment anchored with it. No deep seas, high mountains, or never-travelled-before routes, but it surely has its merits. The Tudor Ranger is more than just a tool watch. It’s an everyday piece with an appeal and aesthetic that not all watches can carry. We all know how some watches simply like to serve a certain purpose. For instance, the Rolex Submariner functions mainly as a dive watch. You may not find the same features from such a powerful and expensive watch, but its simplicity is what people vie for in the Tudor Ranger.
If you’re an experienced collector, a quick look at the Tudor Ranger will give you the Rolex Explorer vibe. Don’t dismiss it as it’s mostly compared to the timepiece. This is due to the fact that the Ranger and the Explorer are almost the same age. It’s most likely that the Ranger launched in response to the Explorer. Just like the Explorer, the Ranger features a black dial with Arabic numerals for the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. Many people refer to this as the “Explorer Dial.” The vintage Ranger, however, measures 2mm short of the vintage Explorer.
While the vintage Explorer focused mainly on time, Tudor produced date iterations of the Ranger. Not to mention, the vintage Explorer only had one reference throughout its production; the Ranger has a few. As expected, these references have variations from each other, no matter how small they may be. Generally, the Ranger features the usual stainless steel case. It went into production from the late 1960s through the 1980s.
Come 2014, Tudor launched the Tudor Heritage Ranger at BaselWorld. It came as a surprise for many people. It doesn’t have any innovative features. In fact, it’s the most honest iteration of a vintage one can find in the 21st century. Collectors especially had positive reviews of the watch. The watch doesn’t have any unnecessary feats like a ceramic bezel, sapphire casebacks, or even an added complication. It’s as if Tudor really meant to bring an old timepiece back to life, period.
Today, we’ll take a look at the 2014 Tudor Ranger and what makes it special. But to understand the great thing about the Ranger, we must first get deep into the history of the Tudor Oyster.
While the origin of the Tudor Ranger is no secret, it’s not a parade either. Tudor has been keeping it low when it comes to this watch. Perhaps, this is how the Ranger’s “most faked vintage watch” title comes from. A lot of people can be dismissive of certain Ranger references, while others can be fooled by faked ones. This is because there isn’t a lot going on about this watch. Not even Tudor themselves provide a comprehensive guide on this watch.
The challenge with the Tudor Oyster relies on the fact that it’s not necessarily a reference of its own. Assembled right in Geneva, the Ranger isn’t much of an identity in itself when it first launched but an iteration of a Tudor Oyster. People would always refer to the number in between the lugs of the watch’s case where Rolex and Tudor would typically place it at. Collectors would often refer to this as one of the indicators of a watch’s heritage and even authenticity. However, the serial and reference number of the Ranger isn’t as clear as others would assume. It doesn’t have a unique reference number for its case. In fact, in the 1960s and 1970s, The Ranger comes in the same case as the Tudor Oyster, Oyster Prince, and Oysterdate. Therefore, it possesses similar reference case numbers to the aforementioned Tudor watches.
So, what exactly is a Tudor Ranger? It’s easiest to describe the watch as a 34mm Tudor Oyster. It also has a matte black dial and an “Explorer dial” with Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock mark. Its hands also come in a distinguishable shovel hour hand. Now, the rest of the watch feels like an amalgamation of everything great about watchmaking at the time of its launch. It features an ETA calibre with a crown signed with the Rolex insignia, available with an Oyster bracelet. Still with us?
Tudor Heritage Advisor
The Tudor Heritage Advisor is, from historical, horological and aesthetic perspectives, perhaps the most interesting watch the brand has ever made. It’s also, not coincidentally, the only alarm watch that Tudor has ever produced.[/ I’ve been pretty open about my love for the rather underappreciated Advisor for some time now. The Advisor is precisely my kind of watch because it’s so interesting from every angle you can look at a watch. It’s got an interesting history, it’s got an interesting movement, and it’s got an interesting design. Quite obviously, this is the most complicated dial that Tudor makes. For that matter, it’s the most complicated dial Tudor has ever made, even including the original Advisors. That’s mostly because it’s the only watch with an alarm complication that Tudor makes, and much of the complexity of the dial is dedicated to that function.
Before I jump into the alarm complication and the design of the watch, it’s worth noting the historic importance of the Tudor Heritage Advisor . The Advisor was, and is, the only alarm watch that Tudor has ever made, which is significant enough by itself, but it’s important to remember that, in 1957, Tudor was nearly an identical clone of Rolex, albeit at more affordable price points. The Advisor was one of two early watches (the other being the Ranger) that brought Tudor out of Rolex’s shadow because it was the first watch that Tudor made with no Rolex equivalent whatsoever, which remains true today. Here we can examine an unusual element to the alarm complication. You might guess, as I think most experienced watch collectors will, that this is the power reserve of the watch, but this is actually dedicated exclusively to the power reserve of the alarm complication, which has its own crown to both set and wind. Winding the alarm is manual, as is typical in the genre. Here we can see a very straightforward on/off mode selector. This has two uses, the first of which is obviously to disable the alarm. It’s also useful in setting the alarm because in the fairly likely event the alarm hand crosses the hour hand, the alarm will sound unless it was disabled beforehand. Here we can see the pusher that controls the on/off switch. This is oversized and very thoughtfully placed to be easily accessible while the watch is on your wrist.
Now we can take a look at the simple, and classic, dauphine hands, as well as the alarm hand. The red alarm hand, which many will guess is a GMT hand, is very straightforward, although oddly, it can only be set counterclockwise. One minor criticism I have is that I feel the alarm hand should also have some lume, as I can definitely see someone wanting to know what their alarm is set for in the middle of the night. Here we can see the dual crowns, one with the rose emblem and the other emblazoned with Advisor. The lower crown is basically a conventional crown and is used to set the time and date, as well as to wind the mainspring if you want to (the watch is automatic, so this isn’t necessary). The upper crown winds and sets the alarm. This works well enough, but I wish I could wind the alarm complication without pulling it out to the first step, and it’s not clear to me why this wasn’t done, as neither crown screws down. Tudor has also opted for a pointer date subdial, which looks terrifically classical and fits with the overall theme nicely. Ironically, this vintage touch is entirely modern as the original Advisor simply had no date.
As was the case with the Tangente Sport I recently reviewed, I was surprised how bright the deceptively tiny application of lume was. The Advisor certainly doesn’t wow anyone with the intensity of its lume, but in a genre of watches that often has no lume at all, finding a useful amount like this is a very nice touch. Again, I would advise (get it?) Tudor to consider putting a luminescent triangle on the alarm hand to make this complication visible at night.
So how does it sound? It’s surprisingly loud and has a pleasant bell quality to it. There’s quite a bit of vibration too, which may make it useful in noisy environments or, for those who sleep with their watch on, in waking its wearer up. All in all, it’s much more powerful than I expected and I believe this would reliably wake people up and certainly get your attention that it’s time to leave for a dinner engagement.
The 42mm case is quite interesting, from the sense of pushers and crowns, but it’s also interesting in terms of composition. While the bezel is steel, the back and central case are apparently made from titanium, which is said to have superior acoustic properties for applications like this or perhaps minute repeaters. The steel bezel will assist in scratch resistance, although looking closely at the watch, it’s surprisingly difficult to see a color difference between steel and titanium components, making it hard to tell which is which. This is a bit unusual as titanium is typically a darker gray, but custom alloys have reduced that appearance in other watches, like Grand Seikos, so perhaps Tudor has used a similar approach h
Another area that distinguishes the Advisor is the movement. While Tudor is now quite well known for its in-house movements in the North Flag, Pelagos and recently the Black Bay, the Advisor is actually Tudor’s first serious foray into movement design. The alarm complication, which is far more sophisticated than something like a date, moon phase or GMT complication, was developed entirely by Tudor. Thus, this movement, which is based on the excellent ETA 2892, has a substantial in-house character to it. While it remains exclusive even within Tudor, it can also be seen from the historical perspective as the beginning of Tudor as a manufacture, which it appears to be transitioning to.
For all of these wonderful historical and horological traits, my favorite aspect of the watch is simply how it looks. As I’ve said before, I like basically two kinds of watches: the super clean designs, as typified by Nomos or Grand Seiko, or the crazy complex ones, like you might find in my recent Zenith Chronomaster review. The Advisor obviously falls into the latter, albeit in a very reserved and subtle way. Yes, it’s a dial brimming with features, but it doesn’t overwhelm you in the way other busy watches might. It’s a crazy complex watch that is intended to be worn every day. In fact, after my own North Flag, I’d say the Tudor Heritage Advisor is my favorite Tudor watch. Few other models within Tudor, or in the watch market generally, can be so compelling from this many different angles.
Tudor Fastrider Black Shield Ceramic
Tudor just released a new version of the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield, this time in a less wild, but no less bold, monochromatic look. This model was designed after the new Ducati xDiavel, a suitably awesome looking bike which sports a similar finish. Like all Black Shield models, its pièce de résistance is its super tough ceramic case.
The Tudor Fastrider Black Shield is, unlike many other popular Tudor models, a watch that belongs squarely in the present. Even in these times when vintage watches are extremely popular, it’s crucial for brands like Tudor to also maintain a solid lineup of contemporary models. That’s not only because not all watch collectors are into vintage styling, but also because the company must continue to innovate, both horologically, like with their new movements, but also stylistically. The Black Shield may not do anything particularly radical, design wise, but it does set itself apart from other Tudor chronographs, like the Chrono Blue and the regular Fastrider.
The most remarkable aspect of a Black Shield, however, is clearly its case. All feature a ceramic monobloc middle case and all in this nice matte black finish. Ceramic is a wonderful material for watch cases, particularly if you like black watches, because not only is it extremely scratch resistant, the black coloration will never come off.
If the new Black Bay with black bezel is the Black Bay Black, should this be called the Black Shield Black? Well, I’ll leave those questions to the forums, but I have noticed something intriguing here. This watch features a black ceramic case, a black dial, a tachymeter bezel and a chronograph. Is it possible that Tudor was targeting the far more expensive Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon watches? There’s no way to say for sure, and the massive price differential likely means few will cross shop the two, but perhaps they ought to be looked at together.
The dial, although not particularly vintage, is certainly not out of line with Tudor’s design credentials. It’s a little more stylized in some areas than Tudor’s more tool watch designs, but legibility is not sacrificed. It’s particularly difficult to make a chronograph, especially one with three subdials and a date complication, easy to read, but Tudor has done a good job here.
That legibility is mainly the product of an extremely high contrast between white accents, not all luminescent, and the black dial. It is, nonetheless, fairly busy, which is pretty much inescapable given this movement (Valjoux 7753). The dial’s texture itself is not entirely flat black as the subdials receive a subtle black guilloche finish. Even more subtle is the sunburst finish to the rest of the dial, which you’ll need bright, direct light to appreciate. In most lighting it appears matte.
The hands are among the Black Shield’s most interesting features and bring some artistic flourishes to the watch. The minute and hour hands are partially skeletonized, allowing the owner to see through to the subdials underneath, although this is more for looks than utility. The chronograph seconds, as well as all subdial hands, have white tips, likely to make them more legible. The main hands have luminous paint on the last half or third of them to provide similar clarity. Perhaps most intriguing are the diamond shapes throughout, like on the counterbalance of the seconds hand.
This area of the dial is very interesting. For one thing, it features the name of the particular watch quite prominently, which is atypical. For another, although you can’t easily see it in this photo, the TUDOR GENEVE area is actually applied and apparently PVD coated black (or perhaps also ceramic?). It’s also somewhat 3 dimensional, with the GENEVE section sloping downward from the flat TUDOR area, not unlike a desk nameplate. But I think the best aspect of this view is the applied Tudor Shield logo. I think it looks great (although I wish it were luminescent), but mostly I just enjoy the fact that the shield on the Black Shield is white.
I find the applied hour markers particularly cool. They’re solid white, like the shield, and very three dimensional in appearance. The subdials each receive what appears to be an applied border. It’s very subtle from most angles, given that they’re solid black against solid black, but it’s a nice touch The date is extremely subtle, just a tiny porthole between 4:00 and 5:00. It’s not particularly difficult to read but it’s very out of the way. The lume isn’t bad at all for a watch in this genre, particularly against the black dial, although it’s unfortunate that Tudor didn’t take the opportunity to add lume to the hour markers and shield. As usual, neither the color or intensity of the lume has been altered in this photo.
The 42mm case of the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield is its most crucial feature, thanks to its ceramic composition. Ceramic cases offer a big advantage for watch collectors because they are much, much harder than a comparable steel case. They are far harder to scratch, and this is especially true when comparing them to their most direct analog, steel watches with a black coating. Black coatings can be made very tough, but they are not invincible, and with a serious enough impact the black coating can be removed in a scratch, revealing the shiny steel behind it. This black case, however, is not a coating and cannot be separated from any other part of the case. Thus, the Black Shield will remain new looking for a very long time. It’s not the only interesting feature, however. Notice this shape on the 9:00 side of the case, which strongly reminds me of the Mazda rotary logo. This is actually where the date is set. Using an included red Tudor shield-shaped pusher device, you push the center of the logo to advance the date. Now, in general, I always prefer to have a date set from the crown, but I will say that Tudor’s implementation is much better than many others I’ve seen. Generally the pusher is tiny and recessed and the tool is steel, which looks nice, but poses a hazard to the case if you get careless. I prefer the large red plastic one it comes with. It’s easier to hold, harder to lose and is unlikely to ever scratch the case (this is one instance in which plastic is probably superior to steel). The target is also very large, and, thanks to a concave portion at the center, the pusher will slide into the perfect spot every time.
The crown is emblazoned with the the shield logo. The shield logo is indeed best associated with Tudor’s contemporary pieces, like this one, and it was obviously the way to go on a watch named the Black Shield. The crown screws down and while the pushers do not, it is rated for 150 meters, so with the rubber strap (this one is on leather) it should be plenty good for swimming. The black strap that it comes with accents the watch well, particularly with the white stitch. As is virtually always the case with Tudors, a solid back hides the movement, in this case a Tudor Calibre 7753, which is based on the Valjoux/ETA 7753.
The Tudor Fastrider Black Shield is one of the edgiest and most contemporary designs from Tudor and it needs to be put in context. First, how does this new model, in black and white, compare to the other Black Shields? In my opinion, this is the Black Shield to get. The other two are great in their own right, one of which even has a bit of a vintage flair to it, but the monochrome incarnation is the most serious of them and has more of a tool watch feel to it. It’s also much more versatile. The more interesting comparison, I think, would be with the Omega Dark Side of the Moon. Of course, it can never be a direct comparison because not only does the Omega have an in-house 9300 movement, but it also costs much, much more. And yet, I can’t help but feel that the same collector could wear both. They’re not really all that similar to each other, but blacked out ceramic chronographs are not altogether common, at least not yet. The Black Shield is a great looking sports watch, but it’s surprisingly tough too. Hardened cases are becoming more common, with options from Bremont, Sinn and Damasko for instance. It’s nice to see Tudor’s entrant into this category, and opting for ceramic over hardened steel makes it somewhat more unique in its price point. I’d love to see a Black Shield three hander to round out the ceramic options, but that seems improbable. Right now, if you’re looking for the toughest Tudor watch you can get, it’s probably either this or the Pelagos, although the titanium middle case of the Pelagos is more vulnerable to scratches (on the other hand, it has much better water resistance). If you happen to be lucky enough to have a Ducati Dieval, however, this is a no brainer.
Tudor Grantour Flyback Stainless Steel
Looking at the new Tudor Grantour Chrono Fly-Back that was officially presented last March during the annual Baselworld 2011 show, I can’t figure out whether Rolex is serious about its resurrected entry-luxury sub-brand or just amuses itself with an old toy.
From the exterior point of view, the new timekeeper looks good, even classy. Although the black bezel with stylized Arabic numerals is not a polished ceramic, the lacquer is of great quality and it nicely echoes the black background of the dial.
Unlike another model from the same collection, the bezel is fixed, so you can’t use the Tudor Grantour Flyback Stainless Steel as a GMT watch: the Arabic numerals are here just for extra legibility. Well, I can live with that.
The bistable lockable chronograph pusher at 2 o’clock features a bright red marking supported by red accents on the dial.
The layout of the dial with the small seconds indicator at 9 o’clock, a chronograph counter at 3 hours, and a date aperture at 6 o’clock is also okay. Their source of inspiration seems to be the 1970s Tudor Monte Carlo Heritage Chronograph.
Originally, the vintage timekeeper sported the good old Rolex Valjoux Caliber 234 hand-wound movement. However, around 30 years ago the Swiss brand reintroduced the model with the well-known Valjoux 7750 caliber.
I am not sure about this particular model (in its press release Tudor only says that it is animated by an “automatic” caliber,) but, sold under an “entry-level” brand, it may also be powered by a mass-produced Swiss-made movement. Most probably, it features the same ETA 2892 automatic movement with the Dubois-Depraz DD 2054 module that powered the 2010 “re-edition” of the Monte Carlo. If that’s indeed the case, then Rolex stepped on the same rake twice.
The problem is not only that a model of this class must be equipped with a natural-born chronograph caliber (we understand that Rolex won’t equip Tudor watches with its own in-house movement,) but that the DD 2054 piggy-back module is known for its reliability issues.
And when it comes to repairing the module, it is easier to buy a new one, which may be a cause of severe headaches after the module is discontinued and will definitely significantly reduce the resale value of the ref. 20550N.
Well, if this doesn’t bother you and if you do not treat it as an investment (which it isn’t) then there is no reason not to get one.
It looks great, fits both casual and formal dress, and must feel great on a wrist thanks to its relatively compact size of 42 millimeters.
Tudor Pelagos watches
How good is the Tudor Pelagos?
The Tudor brand was founded in 1926 on behalf of the Rolex founder. This is an immediate sign of quality.
Tudor recently released a new version of their famous model, the Pelagos. This used design elements of their Submarina which was designed for the Navy in France, but widely popular in the 70s.
There are some aesthetic changes from the original but they’ve stuck to the design very well. At $4,400 this isn’t a cheap investment, so it really needs looking over in detail.
Case
The Pelagos case has the very same design as the original. It has a 42mm by 50mm by 14.5mm case, which is huge! This case is made of titanium and is bigger than Tudor’s other signature timepiece, the Black Bay. Despite the size, it’s still very comfortable thanks to the lightweight material.
Visually-speaking the design is also similar to the Black Bay, but has a crown guard and escape valve for helium.
The mid-case has thickset lugs running on the side of the case.
The side that has the corn has a bevel that runs smoothly into the guards.
On the reverse you’ll see a number, which is a prime feature for keen collectors.
The titanium on the case is brushed for a sophisticated finish.
The bezel offers impeccable action. It’s wide and flat and easy to grab. It’s unidirectional and offers sixty clicks then locks at the 60 position; a subtle benefit.
The Pelagos has a ceramic bezel insert that’s matte, where it would typically be gloss. This gives exceptional scratch-resistance.
The crown guard and escape value for helium aren’t unique features on a dive watch, they simply offer impact protection. They’re both there as an indication that this watch has expert capabilities. Which it actually does. It offers 500m water-resistance.
Dial
The dial has a traditional Pelagos look. The surface is both matt and satin in part. There’s a triangular marker at the 12 position and slimline rectangular ones at 6 and 9. All other hours have a small square.
The markers are beige to match the bezel insert. This small detail gives the whole timepiece a vintage vibe.
At the 3 position there’s a window telling you the date. The cool bit is that it’s on a roulette ring so every day it’ll flick between red and black. This doesn’t give any benefit, per se, it’s just a cool feature of vintage watches.
At 6 you’ll notice five lines of text. This was seen on the older versions and divides opinion on whether or not it clutters the face. Depending on the colour, this can impact how obtrusive it is.
The hands are traditional. They are stocky. The hour is a wide diamond style whereas the minute is more slight, like a sword. They’re luminous, too. The stick-thin second hand offers luminosity, too. In dark lighting it’ll give off a greenish-colour.
Movement
Inside the Pelagos is a 26 jewelled automatic with hand-winding movement. You get 70 hours of power reserve with this. You also get a chronometer, which aids the roulette date function.
There’s credibility from this movement being in-house. You get a lot for the actual price of the watch. A lot of technological development from Tudor has been folded into this watch. The only issue here is that you need to take it directly to either Tudor or Rolex to get it serviced.
Wristband
The Pelagos has a titanium wristband but also comes with a rubber one featuring titanium links on the ends.
The latter is pretty minimal. The links are a bit marmite, but ultimately boil down to personal taste. The rubber makes the watch look more modern, which is why it divides opinion. The Pelagos is a nod to the past, so it’s up to you if you want to adjust the look to suit today or not.
The titanium bracelet has a Tudor-patented clasp that offers expansion of the band. It has ceramic components that make for a smooth and satisfying ‘click’. You can get ½ an in expansion on this band which is just enough allowance to give you the level of comfort you might need in a given situation, without having to take it to a Rolex expert for additional links or a new bracelet altogether.
On the whole, it’s a very comfortable wear. It’s not too large at 42mm (although if you have small wrists, the recommended max case size is 40mm. You can read more about that here.)
The height is a potential barrier. At 14.45mm it’s on the large side and a long cry from svelte, and this is down to the in-house movements on the inside. Saying that it’s a meagre 1mm wider than the Black Bay so if you’re able to notice that, congratulations, you are a genuine watch expert.
Look
The Pelagos is a delicious-looking watch. The classic version in black is considered by many to be dressier than the blue, but again this is a personal choice. The use of beige brings out a retro feel that’s hard not to love. The markers have been added with precision and care has been made to not overly-clutter the face (and again, it depends how you feel about those five lines of text).
It exudes sophistication.
Summary
The Tudor Pelagos doesn’t attract the praise it deserves. It’s certainly the best timepiece in the Tudor collection.
The attention to detail and use of only the best materials proves it’s more than style. It offers exceptional accuracy and precision. Titanium and ceramic components mean this is a lightweight but incredibly durable.
It’s got an impressive specification and pays a wonderful homage to the original version.
It’s neither more or less impressive than any of its siblings, a lot of whether you think this is worth the investment is purely down to your own tastes. If you’re curious about Tudor watches, compare this with the Black Bay.
If you’re in the market for luxury watches, our review of the kinds of timepieces worn by stockbrokers and investors will be the perfect eye candy for you; read it here.
The Tudor Pelagos. This is a watch I’ve been dying to get my hands-on for an extended period of time since I first saw it at Basel World in March of last year. And, despite the fact that Tudor isn’t even sold in the country in which I reside, I still felt strongly that we needed to review this watch in detail, for your sake. You see, there seems to be an almost preternatural desire to learn more about Tudor from readers. We’ve received countless emails, tweets, and message about both the Pelagos and the vintage inspired Black Bay, so we did everything we could to get our hands on one. So, without further ado, here is your Week On The Wrist review of the Tudor Pelagos.
And now for the bad news. The Pelagos, and in fact the entire Tudor line is not currently sold in the United States. As I mentioned above, it has been this way since the early 2000s when the brand was not nearly as strong as it is now. I personally believe this is ripe to change, but there is little word on when that might happen. So if you want one of these watches, you’re going to have to work for it (unless you’re based outside of the US, in which case you can just walk down to your local authorized dealer). Should any of that change, you can guarantee we’ll be the first to let you know.
In summary, I loved the Tudor Pelagos. I also love the Black Bay and hope to review it soon. I think these two watches, plus the Heritage Chrono, are exceptionally cool watches for guys that have any appreciation for the great sport watches of the 20th century – especially these prices. I will, after reviewing the Black Bay, probably buy a Tudor dive watch as my summer watch. I will be sure to chime back in when I make that decision to let you know.
Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze 79250
Perpetually remembered as the “little brother of Rolex”, Tudor has been exponentially gaining momentum and lining dealer exhibits with bold and captivating watch releases.
Equally as promising is their value proposition, given the exceptional quality and aggressive price point that characterizes the brand.
Today, we’re reviewing the now-discontinued Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze 79250BM. Ahead of the bronze craze when it was initially released, this 43mm Black Bay set the bar for future bronze watches to come.
We’ll be reviewing this Tudor 79250BM, as well as taking a look at the latest Tudor Black Bay Bronze release, via the following sections:
This Black Bay Bronze 79250BM, while a true Black Bay through-and-through, represented the first time that Tudor changed the case size on a variant in the popular model line.
The case is 43mm as opposed to the standard 41mm, and is constructed of a copper-aluminum alloy. Without diving into a chemistry lesson, the importance here is that the particular bronze employed by Tudor lends to a unique and more even patina.
On the other hand, this same metal alloy is also deemed the culprit for the case size increase. Apparently, when crafted in a 41mm case size, the structural integrity of the watch was not to Tudor’s standard.
Once on the wrist, this Bronze Black Bay wears tall and wide. The base Heritage Black Bay model has a case depth of ~14.5mm, a dimension which has gone unchanged in the Black Bay Bronze 79250.
The sporty nature of this Tudor diver easily lends itself to the larger case size; we certainly didn’t find it to detract from the watch’s appeal. At the same time, it’s easy to see how the case size can be the main point of contention on this watch.
Size aside, the case itself is phenomenal. The satin finish of the bronze makes for a rugged look. Conversely, the sharp edges and delicate details, like the rose on the crown and the lug holes, bring in an element of finesse.
One thing is evident after handling the watch – the construction is remarkable. The watch head is sturdy, although not too heavy. Likewise, the click of the diver’s bezel inspires confidence in the longevity of the timepiece.
Tudor has established a standard of quality, one which was not overlooked when crafting the Tudor Black Bay Bronze 79250BM.
On the back side, the contrasting caseback represent’s Tudor’s response to a problem encountered with bronze watches. A PVD-coated steel caseback maintains the color scheme while also preventing oxidation stains when on the wrist.
Powering this 2016 Baselworld premiere is the Tudor Manufacture MT5601 calibre. The first in-house movement in the brand’s history, the MT5601 boasts a 70 hour power reserve as well as a COSC-chronometer certification.
The box set that accompanies this Black Bay Bronze is the standard black lacquered Tudor-branded box. To protect its glossy finish, a brown outer box is also included.
As has become customary with the Tudor Black Bay line, this Black Bay Bronze brings with it an additional NATO-style strap. This secondary strap is olive / khaki green in color and made of a springy fabric. Naturally, this fabric strap also possesses a bronze buckle.
The 79250BM is primarily displayed on a distressed calf leather strap. Undoubtedly, this strap is sure to develop some character with wear and time, not unlike the change expected on the case itself. Similarly, this effect is to be expected on the buckle, given that it’s presented in bronze as well.
In addition to the above accessories, the box set also includes an instruction booklet, a warranty booklet, and a document holder for both as well as the warranty card. Given that the Black Bay Bronze we review here was purchased pre-owned, it did not happen to include the original warranty card.
The only issue we can find with the box set is the fact that there’s no strap-changing tool included. Indeed, it is clear that the intention is for customers to change the strap on their timepiece; so why not include some sort of tool to help them do it without risking damage?
Panerai, among other brands, is known for including a small plastic tool in their box sets for strap-changing needs. Likewise, Tudor could have included something similar here, even if its presence tipped the retail price over $4,000. Surely the box set would have been better for it.
In its own right, the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze 79250BM is an incredible watch. Not to mention the fact that it was ahead of the curve of the bronze trend, it also established a standard of value and quality for future bronze watches to measure against.
The muted gold and brown hues give it a unique look, while the case size provides the wrist presence expected from a true tool watch.
Moreover, the size almost ensures that it’s worn in the proper environments, notably outside an office. This watch deserves to be worn outdoors, where the environment can take its toll and be reflected in the unique patina.
Finally, we were quite surprised to learn how well the watch paired with different strap combinations. At the beach, the Tudor Black Bay Bronze 79250BM looked surprisingly attractive on a purple perlon strap. Indeed, this Tudor Black Bay Bronze 79250BM is assured to hold “classic” status for years to come.
In March of 2019, Tudor made a foreseeable move – they continued to expand on their already successful Black Bay line. Interestingly, the new variations that we are accustomed to seeing year after year from Tudor have yet to become boring.
Among the premieres was a new dial variant of the TUDOR Black Bay Bronze, the Tudor Reference 79250BA. Outside of the dial and bezel colors, there’s not many new things to unpack here.
Nevertheless, this slate grey dial Black Bay looks outstanding. The fumee effect on the dial, along with the presentation of the bezel and straps in black, play wonderfully against the golden hue of the bronze case.
Previous to this year’s show, Tudor had deviated from the brown dial and bezel only for special editions, such as the blue seen in the Carl F. Bucherer Black Bay Bronze. With this Baselworld 2019 release, they’ve dared to push their own boundaries once more, and they’ve made it accessible for the masses.