Tudor’s vast collection of watches goes back to its early connection with the French navy in 1954. Since then, the Tudor watches have been adopted by other important military organizations, including the US.
One of the more sought-after lines has been the Tudor Black Bay, a watch with a history going back over 60 years. Now, in a move many collectors have been waiting for, Tudor has released a new Black Bay lineup and brought the movements in-house. The calibers all have a 70-hour power reserve (except for the smaller, 31mm model, with a very respectable 50-hour reserve).
These new Black Bay watches are available in various colors; blue, anthracite (which is black with glit indices), and light champagne. Missing from the collection is a silver dial, however the champagne color comes close.
Sizes come in 31, 36, 396, and 41mm cases and a five-link bracelet with a T-Fit rapid adjustment clasp. The T-Fit is something the public has been asking for in recent years, and it makes a significant difference in the ease of wear.
Tudor has done a brilliant job of paying homage to the 1950s style and given it many modern features. But the heritage is the star of these watches with its general lines, domed dial, and crystal inspired by the first Tudor diving watches.
Among the other releases, Tudor brings out the Black Bay 54, which gives the durability and accuracy of a modern watch with the 1950s Submariner style still intact. The “54” refers to 1954, when Tudor release the Oyster Prince Submariner used by both Us and French Navies and pro divers in the era.
According to Tudor, the bezel and crown were designed to match the proportions of the 1954 original, so you get the feeling of wearing a 1950s dive watch with the accuracy of a modern watch. People will think you have on an original, while you’re enjoying all the modern updates.
The Basics
Brand: Tudor
Model: Black Bay
Reference Number: 79600, 79640, 79660, 79680
Diameter: 31mm, 36mm, 39mm, 41mm
Case Material: Steel
Dial Color: Blue, anthracite or light champagne-coloured
Indexes: Circular
Lume: Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Steel five link bracelet with T-fit quick adjustment
The Movement
Caliber: MT5201 (31mm), MT5400 (36mm), MT5602 (39mm) MT5601 (41mm)
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds
Diameter: 20.0mm (MT5201) 30.3mm (MT5400) 31.8mm (MT5602) 33.8mm (MT5601)
Thickness: 5mm (MT5201, MT5400) 6.5mm (MT5602, MT5601)
Power Reserve: 50 hours (MT5201), 70 hours (MT5400), 70 hours (MT5601), 70 hours (MT5602)
Winding: Automatic
Jewels: 26 jewels (MT5201), 27 jewels (MT5400), 25 jewels (MT5602, MT5601)
Chronometer Certified: COSC-certified with silicon balance spring
Additional Details: Variable inertia balance, micro-adjustment screw, Non-magnetic silicon balance spring