Tudor has spent that last decade building up their brand and creating an incredibly varied portfolio of watches. The collection that has gained them the most praise is, without a doubt, the Black Bay. These watches are modeled after vintage divers and built to the highest standards using modern techniques and materials. Tudor is adding three new models to the Black Bay line-up in 2021, two of which are firsts for the brand. Let’s dive in.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
The first new release is actually a pair of watches: two new Tudor Black Bay Chrono models. These new watches feature impressive updates compared to the previous generation. To start, Tudor has redesigned the 41-mm case and adjusted the crystal, resulting in a thinner profile that sits better on the wrist. Inside the case, you’ll find the COSC-certified Tudor caliber MT5813. This automatic column-wheel chronograph movement features a 70-hour power reserve and has been tweaked to fit in the new slimmer case.
The new Black Bay Chrono comes with either a black or white opaline dial, each with contrasting black or white subdials. Furthermore, Tudor has equipped the watch with a fixed steel bezel, which features a black aluminum bezel insert. This insert boosts the overall quality and gives the watch a more modern look compared to its predecessor. The new Black Bay Chrono on a stainless steel bracelet has a list price of $5,225, while the same watch on a leather or textile strap costs $4,900. Overall, these two watches are great updates to the Black Bay Chrono and will definitely find a lot of fans – they might just be Tudor’s new stars.
Editor’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Alternatives: TAG Heuer Carrera Sport, Omega Speedmaster Racing
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925
The second new release is the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925, which Tudor has made out of a silver alloy. This is the first time that the company has created a BB58 in precious metal. The 39-mm silver case has a brushed finish, giving it an understated yet classy appearance. For the dial and the bezel inlay, Tudor has opted for a taupe tone, which pairs spectacularly with the silver.
If you flip Tudor’s first silver diving watch over, you will see the in-house Tudor caliber 5400. This COSC-certified movement has a power reserve of 70 hours. The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 comes on your choice of a brown leather strap or taupe textile strap with a 925 silver buckle. Both demand $4,300. The choice of material is notable, but it works well with the taupe color scheme. This release will definitely turn a few heads.
Editor’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Alternatives: Tudor Black Bay Bronze, Oris Carl Brashear Calibre 401 LE, Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Outerknown LE in stainless steel, rose gold, or bronze
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K
The third big introduction from Tudor is the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K. This model is the first Black Bay watch to feature a case made of solid 18-karat yellow gold, as this material only appeared on two-tone models in previous generations. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K has a 39-mm yellow gold case with a satin-brushed finish, making it much less flashy. The watch also comes with a unidirectional bezel in yellow gold, as well as a 60-minute graduated disc in matte green anodized aluminum with gold gilded markings and numerals. The dial is also matte green, giving the watch a nice, distinguished look.
Inside the yellow gold case, you will find the same movement that powers the silver version: the in-house caliber 5400. Again, it is COSC-certified and has a power reserve of 70 hours. The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K comes on a brown alligator leather strap with a yellow gold buckle and an additional green textile strap. This new solid gold Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K has a list price of $16,800. Seeing a Tudor priced far above the 10k mark is a first for the brand, and it will certainly have people talking. The biggest question will be whether Tudor is moving into its sibling’s territory. That kind of money could get you a Rolex after all. Sure, it won’t be gold, but still…
Editor’s rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Alternatives: Omega Speedmaster First Omega In Space in Sedna gold, Omega Seamaster 300 in gold, Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Automatic 42 in rose gold
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