Celebrity Life

Dipping the proverbial toe into the world of watches can be a daunting experience, especially when there are so many choices. The Tudor Black Bay series, however, is as close as it gets to a no-brainer -- either as a first serious timepiece or an addition to an already impressive arsenal.

The international world of horology may still be reeling from the shock cancellation of Baselworld, not just for the current year due to the coronavirus having devastated nearly all industries, but potentially for the foreseeable future.  Thankfully, interest and passion for watches have not dissipated along with it.  In fact, quite the contrary as the vintage watch market specifically has seen an uptick in sales.  Whilst this does not mean that every Tom, Dick and Harry are sweeping Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips for lofty vintage timekeepers, dependable tool watches remain a great investment for mechanical watch enthusiasts looking to hedge their bets in these uncertain times.

Whoever said ‘dependable’ equates to ‘boring’ has obviously never laid eyes on the Tudor ‘Black Bay’ series, which has in part fueled the resurgence of the brand, reminding everyone that it is more than just a sister brand to titans Rolex.  With a decidedly more rugged outlook than some of its Swiss counterparts, the ‘Black Bay’ models conform mostly to the classic Submariner aesthetic.  To date, more than a dozen models have been introduced as part of the collection since its debut in 2012.  Here are some models for your (serious) consideration.

Black Bay Fifty-Eight

[caption id="attachment_206853" align="alignnone" width="1640"] Image: Hodinkee[/caption]

Size does matter, but not in the way that one may think.  What sets this watch apart from its siblings in the collection is its relatively smaller size -- sitting at a cozy 39mm which is a whole 2mm reduction in diameter.  Though that may not sound like much, on the wrist the impression is vastly amplified, giving the timepiece a distinctly vintage appearance.  Due to its diminutive size, Tudor had no choice but to tinker and produce its new in-house caliber MT5402 movement.  Another real draw for many would be the ‘gilt’ dial combination -- echoing the black and gold sensibilities so popular in the 1950’s.  Equipped with a matching bracelet, these have been notoriously hard to come by due to their immense popularity.  If one pops up in your local authorised dealer, we suggest you bite the bullet before someone else does.

On a steel bracelet, the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight retails for US$3,625 (HK$28,000) subject to availability

Black Bay GMT

[caption id="attachment_206855" align="alignnone" width="1900"] Image: Tudor[/caption]

Brief history on the GMT function and its origin -- developed for Pan-Am Airline pilots to cope with the constant shifting of time zones, the 24-hour hand and rotating bezel allowed the wearer to account for two separate time zones during their travels.  Even the most casual of watch fans would be aware of the infamous ‘Pepsi’ reference which featured the hues of the namesake soft drink brand on the bezel, but this Black Bay GMT is more than just a simple homage to the original.  The Tudor Black Bay GMT lives up to its pedigree as a tried and true travel watch, boasting a local jumping hour hand that is able to be adjusted backwards or forwards independently from the minute hand to adapt to different time zones with ease.  To sweeten the deal, Tudor has offered its own MT5652 in-house movement which provides superb value at this price range where other makers would likely opt for ETA movements.  This excellent GMT is a perennial favourite for those in the know.

On a steel bracelet, the Tudor Black Bay GMT retails for US$3,900 (HK$31,000) subject to availability

Black Bay Dark

[caption id="attachment_206854" align="alignnone" width="1400"] Image: Hodinkee[/caption]

Everything just feels cooler in ‘stealth mode’, and this PVD coated all black model will definitely make anyone feel like a ninja.  The tactically inclined timepiece is composed of steel and coated with a robust and hard wearing black satin finish which can weather everyday scratches and dings, as a tool watch should.  An extra injection of edge in the form of two striking hits of red on the bezel and depth rating on the dial set this watch apart from other typical all black wristwear.  But it’s not just all about looks -- the impressive 70 hour power reserve is nothing to scoff at, courtesy of Tudor’s caliber MT5602 in-house movement.  Aftermarket reworkings to achieve the dark monochromatic look have been in vogue for several years, but why go down that road when a beauty like the Tudor Black Bay Dark can be had straight from the factory.

On a fabric strap, the Tudor Black Bay Dark retails for US$4,150 (HK$32,000) subject to availability

The post Why You Should Own a Tudor Black Bay — If You Can appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The Tudor chronograph is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, we recap the important milestones this complication has seen since 1970.

The post Celebrating 50 Years of Tudor Chronograph appeared first on LUXUO.

The steel sports watch rules over watchmaking at all levels, but especially at a certain threshold of exclusivity. We examine the reasons for the unprecedented demand for this type of ticker

The post A Sporting Chance — a Deeper Dive into the Unprecedented Demand for Steel Sports Watches appeared first on LUXUO.

Whether classically styled or design-forward, these nine watches demand your full attention

The post From Blancpain to Montblanc, We Highlight Nine Visually Appealing Watches appeared first on LUXUO.

The Tudor Black Bay P01 is an exercise in historical revisionism notable for its boldness

The post Going Commando — Tudor Black Bay P01 appeared first on LUXUO.

Tudor's beloved Black Bay Chronograph takes a "dark turn", celebrating the New Zealand All Black's legacy with a limited edition PVD timepiece, each tied to a member of the rugby team

The post New Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark to Honour Each Member of the New Zealand All Blacks appeared first on LUXUO.

The new Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G is a neo-classical chronograph thanks to its blend of traditional aesthetics and modern watchmaking codes

The post Golden Delicious: Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G appeared first on LUXUO.

Offerings include luxury watch brands like Baume & Mercier, IWC, Montblanc, Panerai, Tag Heuer, Tudor, and Zenith.

The post 7 bronze watches for 2019 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Offerings include luxury watch brands like Baume & Mercier, IWC, Montblanc, Panerai, Tag Heuer, Tudor, and Zenith.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

An age-old material is making a comeback, with top watchmakers releasing bronze versions of their popular models.

The post All you need to know about bronze timepieces appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

An age-old material is making a comeback, with top watchmakers releasing bronze versions of their popular models.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Watches taking cues from the forces of land, sea, and air.

The post 7 military-inspired timepieces appeared first on The Peak Magazine.