The Tudor Black Bay Bronze first made its waves in Baselworld 2016 with a tropical brown dial. This was followed by a Bucherer Edition in blue, and the latest in Slate-Grey.
The Case and Dial
The Black Bay Bronze bears the same case design as before, measuring 43 mm in diameter. A nod to the past, it opts for screw-through holes for the lug bar, instead of filling up the hole. Fit with a unidirectional diving bezel, the has all the waterproofing features of a diver’s watch and can take up to 200 m water pressure.
The dial resembles a fumé pattern, with a color gradient lightest in the centre and darker on the edges of the dial. Applied hour markers are filled with superluminova as with the hands. Gilt ink is used for the text print on the dial and the minutes track; a matching fit with the gilt hands.
The Movement
In order to stay competitive within its entry-level sports watch category, Tudor ‘upgraded’ the Black Bay line to run on its in-house MT5601 movement.
The movement offers a 70-hour power reserve meaning that its wearer can, for example, take off the watch on Friday evening and put it on again on Monday morning without having to wind it. Beating to a frequency of 28,800 bph, the movement is regulated by a variable inertia oscillator with silicon balance spring, held in place by a traversing bridge – a guarantee of its robustness. And is certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
Concluding Thoughts
The Tudor Black Bay Bronze line was a clever offering by the brand to the then – 2016 most fashionable case metal. With the new colored dial and the ceased production of the original brown, the Black Bay Bronze is clearly here to stay. While they used to be offered with 2 straps, the leather and NATO, Tudor now only offers the watch in either leather or fabric.
As purely a matter of preference, the brown dial is arguably more unique in design, and as the original ‘Bronze’ model, may be more collectible down the road.
The watch is priced at US$4150 before taxes.
2 Comments
I own the B. B. B and looks and feel gust great on my hand. Very pleased
Tudor never learn . The black bay 58 was a smash hit due it it’s size yet they refuse to release another colour. Had the 58 bit flopped it as the gold gilt is a turn off