Tudor Black Bay (Blue)
Discussion
I have the first Black Bay version released - the Red with ETA movement - and I love it.
They really need to be experienced in person to fully appreciate the little touches that make them so good - the domed crystal, curved & eggshell texture dial, printing quality, very precise bezel action, chamfered cases, ceramic clasp closures etc.
The newer Fifty-Eight models, benefiting from both a smaller size & in-house movements, are pretty much perfect to my eyes, especially given there's little competition around that RRP offering a package of similar quality.
Re the fabric strap, they are expensive but of excellent quality - a very dense, comfortable & hard-wearing fabric weave, with sewn-in springbars for a better fit, woven on wooden looms by the same French company that supplies material to the Vatican, Chanel etc. This short video is well worth a watch to understand they're not just bog-standard NATO straps: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/visit-tudor-stra...
They really need to be experienced in person to fully appreciate the little touches that make them so good - the domed crystal, curved & eggshell texture dial, printing quality, very precise bezel action, chamfered cases, ceramic clasp closures etc.
The newer Fifty-Eight models, benefiting from both a smaller size & in-house movements, are pretty much perfect to my eyes, especially given there's little competition around that RRP offering a package of similar quality.
Re the fabric strap, they are expensive but of excellent quality - a very dense, comfortable & hard-wearing fabric weave, with sewn-in springbars for a better fit, woven on wooden looms by the same French company that supplies material to the Vatican, Chanel etc. This short video is well worth a watch to understand they're not just bog-standard NATO straps: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/visit-tudor-stra...
Yep, I wear my Black Bay, black bezel ETA on the supplied fabric strap, as I can't wear steel straps as a daily wear now due to a skin condition, so the Tudor has replaced my sub as my daily.
The ETA black bezel had a really short production run, only a couple of thousand in a 8-9 month period, so should keep its value OK, not that is of much concern to me, unless a newer Fifty Eight version becomes too much of a lure, as the 41mm size and thickness of the the BB is the only critism of the watch from my point of view.
The ETA black bezel had a really short production run, only a couple of thousand in a 8-9 month period, so should keep its value OK, not that is of much concern to me, unless a newer Fifty Eight version becomes too much of a lure, as the 41mm size and thickness of the the BB is the only critism of the watch from my point of view.
aeropilot said:
... the 41mm size and thickness of the the BB is the only critism of the watch from my point of view.
The above is why I haven't bought one, other than that they're all of the positives mentioned in other replies. The "58" addresses the size issue however I'm not completely sold on the guilt dial and rivet bracelet, the latter more than the former. I understand why they are what they are, they're just not 100% for me. Enjoy yours OP, they're popular watches for a reason.
CardShark said:
aeropilot said:
... the 41mm size and thickness of the the BB is the only critism of the watch from my point of view.
The above is why I haven't bought one, other than that they're all of the positives mentioned in other replies. The "58" addresses the size issue however I'm not completely sold on the guilt dial and rivet bracelet, the latter more than the former. I understand why they are what they are, they're just not 100% for me. Wonder if the ETA bracelet would fit the newer BB. I bought my ETA BBB on leather as it was the only one I could find. Couldn't get on board with the shield, much prefer the rose. Also enjoyed the lack of date a lot more. Ended up getting the bracelet from the jewelers for £600. Not an insignificant amount, but worth every penny.
I've seen a few BB with the Ranger bracelet with the striaght end links which looks fantastic.
I've seen a few BB with the Ranger bracelet with the striaght end links which looks fantastic.
I've got the heritage BB black (June 18') on the bracelet and love it. However wearing it I'm constantly 'aware' that it's on my wrist, it's quite a hefty watch which a large part of me likes but also sometimes find it a little too so. My other daily is a little Seiko5 which I adore and at around 36mm it's imperceptible but of course lacks the impact of the BB. To that end I may well move the BB on and look to purchase either a Black Bay 36 which I tried on incidentally yesterday in a Goldsmiths or .. see if Tudor do in fact release a Sub at Basel in a few weeks. That could be something very special. I'd really miss the BB if it does go though, a beautiful watch.
Jayho said:
Wonder if the ETA bracelet would fit the newer BB. I bought my ETA BBB on leather as it was the only one I could find. Couldn't get on board with the shield, much prefer the rose. Also enjoyed the lack of date a lot more. Ended up getting the bracelet from the jewelers for £600. Not an insignificant amount, but worth every penny.
I've seen a few BB with the Ranger bracelet with the striaght end links which looks fantastic.
Yes it does. Case shape wasn't changed, bracelets are interchangeable. ETA bracelet is nicer imho. Don't like the riveted bracelet. I've seen a few BB with the Ranger bracelet with the striaght end links which looks fantastic.
BBenzzz said:
Treated myself to this wee number last week, what's the general (overly-critical) PH opinion on the Tudor Black Bay?
I currently have the blue NATO strap on it rather than the bracelet.. I love it!
They're cracking watches. I have a red ETA version as a daily. Really well put together, comfortable with a bit of heft, and pretty versatile.I currently have the blue NATO strap on it rather than the bracelet.. I love it!
Good choice sir!
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