A quick look at our favorite new releases from Tudor at Baselworld 2018.
Tudor Black Bay GMT
At Baselworld 2018, Tudor has further expanded their highly successful Black Bay series by introducing the Tudor Black Bay GMT. It’s the first time Tudor is adding an old-school GMT sports watch to this series, which launched in 2012. The Black Bay GMT measures 41 mm in diameter, like most Black Bay watches, and will be available with the iconic ‘Pepsi-colored’ bezel – or burgundy and blue as Tudor puts it – with a matte finish and black dial. This version of the Tudor Black Bay is a watch that only a few people may have wished for but many will absolutely love.
The Tudor Black Bay GMT is powered by the Tudor automatic caliber MT5652 that shows the local time as well as two additional time zones using the 24-hour bezel and red snowflake GMT hand. Like many of the current Tudor models, you can choose from one of three straps to go with the Black Bay GMT. The first is a riveted steel bracelet with a polished and satin-brushed finish, the second a “Terra di Siena” brown leather strap, and the last a black fabric strap with a burgundy stripe.
Tudor made a smart move with the introduction of the Tudor Black Bay GMT. The brand has already successfully outgrown their status as Rolex’s little brother and has gained a strong following over the last 5 years. Although the Tudor Black Bay GMT is a logical addition to the Black Bay series, not many people had predicted its release. What can easily be predicted, though, is that the Black Bay GMT will be a big success and will further strengthen the Tudor name.
Facts & Details:
- Tudor’s first GMT sports watch in the Black Bay series
- The burgundy and blue aluminum bezel is highly iconic and also known as the ‘Pepsi’ bezel. It was originally used for the Rolex GMT-Master
- The Black Bay GMT is powered by the Tudor caliber MT5652 with a 70-hour power reserve
- 41-mm steel case with a polished and satin finish
- Water resistant to 200 meters / 656 feet
- List prices are 3,400 Swiss Francs for the version with a strap and 3,700 Swiss Francs for the version with a rivet-style bracelet.
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight
The second addition to the Tudor Black Bay series is the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight. This watch pays tribute to the first Tudor diving watches introduced in the 1950s. To honor the characteristics of early Tudor diving watches, the Black Bay Fifty-Eight has a smaller, 39-mm diameter, while most of the other current Tudor Black Bay watches are 41 mm in diameter. It’s an interesting step for Tudor, as it will excite vintage Tudor enthusiasts as well as consumers who are looking for a Tudor watch with a smaller case size.
The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight is powered by the new automatic Tudor caliber MT5402. It is Tudor’s next step toward introducing more in-house Tudor movements to smaller watches – a step that will probably lead to more smaller models in the Black Bay family.
The Black Bay Fifty-Eight not only pays homage to the smaller size of vintage Tudor diving watches but also comes in the iconic color configuration of the classic Tudor with the reference number 7924. Along with the big crown that was specific to the vintage reference 7924, the black dial and bezel contrast nicely with rose gold-plated markings and numerals, giving this watch its classy vintage look. For the Black Bay Fifty-Eight, you can choose from a riveted steel bracelet with a polished and satin finish, a brown leather strap, or a black fabric strap with a gold-colored stripe.
Tudor somehow keeps coming up with smart additions to the already successful Black Bay family. This Black Bay Fifty-Eight is a watch that will find its own audience because it is different enough from the other Black Bay watches and is a clever nod to the earlier days of the Tudor brand.
Facts & Details:
- An homage to the early Tudor divers from the 1950s
- The first Tudor watch to feature a smaller Tudor in-house movement
- The Black Bay Fifty-Eight is powered by the Tudor Caliber MT5402 with a 70-hour power reserve
- 39-mm steel case with a polished and satin finish
- Water resistant to 200 meters / 656 feet
- List prices are 3,100 Swiss Francs for the version with a strap and 3,400 Swiss Francs for the version with a rivet-style bracelet
