Pre-Owned
Tudor Black Bay Watches

The origins of Tudor’s Black Bay date back to the 1950s when the brand first began manufacturing professional dive watches. The Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner reference 7922 was its first release in this category, followed by other models in the 7900 series which ran through to the late 1960s, with some incremental changes to the design.

After an uncertain period during the 1980s and 1990s, when quartz watches dominated and Tudor withdrew from the US and British markets, a decision was taken to reboot the brand in 2007. Four years later, a new generation of historically inspired models—its Heritage collection— emerged, followed in 2012 by the very first Black Bay.

This watch clearly invoked Tudor’s rich heritage, reviving the now-iconic “snowflake” hands first used in its dive watches in 1968. These distinctive hands—specifically the seconds and hours hand, with their bold, luminescent accents—became synonymous with Tudor, adding character to the dial while enhancing legibility.

Another significant design element of Tudor Black Bay watches is the “Big Crown” This oversized crown is a nod to the reference 7924 from 1958, which was the first Tudor dive watch that was waterproof to 200 metres. It not only adds a vintage charm but also ensures easy gripping and operation, especially when wearing gloves or in water. The oversized crown is a distinctive feature that sets Tudor Black Bay watches apart from their competitors.

Tudor offers a range of options within the Black Bay collection to cater to different preferences. Perhaps the most popular of its stainless-steel dive watches is the Black Bay 58, introduced in 2018.

Besides taking inspiration from aforementioned Tudor reference 7924, it resembles vintage Rolex Submariners of the 1950s, using tinted lume on the hands and hour markers for a retro aesthetic and coming in a case size of 39mm. The brand followed this up with the Black Bay 54, whose 37mm case size suits smaller wrists.

The Black Bay collection also includes GMT models—which display time in an additional zone—and chronographs, as well as dive watches in a variety of different bezel colours and materials, from ceramic to yellow gold.

One of the key features that sets recent Tudor Black Bay models apart is its movements. While the first-generation Black Bays were powered by movements manufactured externally, Tudor now makes them in-house. Calibres such as the MT5602 are designed and produced exclusively by the brand, ensuring the highest level of quality and precision.

Understanding its movements is essential to fully appreciate the technical prowess of Tudor Black Bay watches. Self-winding calibres like the MT5602 and MT5402 boast a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, allowing for uninterrupted timekeeping, even if the watch is not worn for a few days. The watches are also COSC-certified, meaning that each movement has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its accuracy and precision.

With its technical specifications and commitment to quality, the Tudor Black Bay offers a timepiece that not only exudes style but also delivers exceptional performance.

Whether you're a watch enthusiast or simply appreciate superb craftsmanship, the Black Bay is a testament to Tudor’s legacy of creating reliable, affordable and functional timepieces. If you’re seeking the perfect Tudor Black Bay for you, Watchfinder has an extensive collection of pre-owned models available today.