To mark 50 years of its chronographs, TUDOR is relaunching its Black Bay Chrono model in steel with a reworked case and two dial options with contrasting sub-counters.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
The watch is priced at US$4900 in leather and fabric, and US$5225 with a steel bracelet.
The Case and Dial
Waterproof to 200m, the Black Bay Chrono is essentially a diver chronograph. It bears the same snowflake hour hand and luminous hands and hour markers for low-light legibility.
The steel case measures 41mm in diameter and 14.4mm thick. As compared to the 2017 edition which used the same MT5813 caliber, the new case is 0.5mm thinner. Lug to lug, it measures 50mm.
To complete the classic sports chronograph, the watch uses a fixed bezel in stainless steel with a tachymetric scale insert in black anodised aluminium.
Following the TUDOR chronograph tradition, a date aperture is positioned at 6 o’clock. Finally, the large winding crown, characteristic of the first generation of TUDOR divers’ watches, is also adopted in this model.
The Black Bay Chrono model features a black fabric strap with a motif chosen by TUDOR. The model is also available mounted on a stainless steel bracelet inspired by the folding riveted bracelets made by TUDOR in the 1950s and 1960s.
The links also had a distinct stepped construction. These two aesthetic details appear on today’s model, which still integrates modern manufacturing methods with solid links.
Finally, in keeping with the spirit of “1970s racing”, the Black Bay Chrono is also available with a bund strap in aged black leather with ecru topstitching and folding clasp, the version is currently shown in the pictures.
The Movement
With a 70-hour power reserve, a silicon balance spring and Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute certification, the chronograph Calibre MT5813 that drives the Black Bay Chrono is based on the high-performance movement B01 movement sourced from Breitling. It also features a column-wheel mechanism and vertical clutch layout.
Concluding thoughts
All in all, the watch is an attractive timepiece with a robust movement. The case thickness is now slimmer than before and more comfortable on the wrist. The purchasable strap options lend additional looks of the same watch, making it a versatile sports watch. The watch is priced at US$4900 in leather and fabric, and US$5225 with a steel bracelet.
