Feature: Discover Tudor’s top Watches & Wonders models
Tudor continues to elevate its popular Black Bay collection with a string of new releases at this year’s Watches and Wonders. There’s a new GMT model, a striking 18k yellow-gold version with an open caseback and a slick all-black model. Which one do you prefer?
Tudor Black Bay M7941A1A0NU-0003
This model follows last year’s 41mm Black Bay with the burgundy bezel and black dial, but gives it a crisper, monochrome less vintage look—perfect for those who never really warmed to the faux-aged lume on the hour markers and hands.
Like that watch, this is a Master Chronometer and is water resistant to 200 metres. Yes, it’s yet another Black Bay dive watch that doesn’t bring anything dramatically new to the Tudor family. But a watch from Rolex’s sibling that gives off strong Submariner vibes will undoubtedly do well.
And with that aluminium bezel, it will fade nicely over the years, which isn’t something you can say for new Submariners with their ceramic bezels.
It comes on either a Jubilee-style 5-link bracelet—with Tudor’s T-fit clasp— or a black rubber strap and runs on the same in-house Caliber MT5602-U that powers the aforementioned burgundy-bezel version.
Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT, reference M7939G1A0NRU-0001
The Black Bay 58 collection finally gets a GMT model, with a revival of the much-loved black and red “Coke” bezel that once featured on a Rolex GMT-Master II.
The brand is calling it burgundy rather than red, but that won’t stop people referring to this watch as the Tudor “Coke”. With a 39mm case, this model is going to compete for attention with the Black Bay Pro, rather than the larger, 41mm Black Bay GMT with “Pepsi” bezel. But what both those watches don’t have is the Black Bay 58 GMT’s Master Chronometer movement, which means it’s been put through its paces by both the COSC and METAS agencies.
If you’re heading abroad this summer, this dual-time watch might be the one for you. It’s got a very respectable power reserve of 65 hours and 200 metres water resistance.
The sharp-eyed will notice that the winding crown is different to previous Black Bays, too—this one is easier to grip, which has been a bit of a bugbear for some Tudor fans.
Tudor Black Bay 58 18k, reference M79018V-0006
This model marks Tudor’s first solid yellow-gold divers’ watch—a significant release for the Crown’s sibling brand, and one that is obviously priced far higher than most Rolexes.
Not only does it come in a precious metal but boasts an open caseback, too—something that’s fairly unusual for a dive watch. Flip this Black Bay over to take a peek at the minimally decorated in-house Calibre MT5400, with its 70-hour power reserve.
The leafy-green dial, fit with Tudor’s classic Snowflake hour hand, and matching bezel perfectly complement the yellow hues of the 39mm 18k gold case and bracelet. It’s water resistant to a hardy 200 metres, meaning it’s perfect for a plunge in the ocean as well as doing the dishes—if you can bear such a fine watch being covered with bits of soggy dinner debris.
This makes a great, albeit less affordable option for fans of Rolex’s classic green “Hulk” Submariner—and in yellow gold, it’s even more desirable.
