Watches & Wonders 2022

Tudor Black Bay Pro

TUDOR presents a new technical model with a whole new aesthetic. Named Black Bay Pro, it has a 39-millimetre diameter, a fixed steel bezel and a Manufacture Calibre with built-in GMT function.

Black Bay Pro is an entirely new model with a dual time zone feature, a technical complication that establishes local time without losing sight of the time in another time zone. Compact, robust and sporty, this model boasts many unique aesthetic details and celebrates the spirit of the technical watches that TUDOR has produced for professionals throughout its history. Recognisable by its 24-hour graduated satin-brushed fixed bezel and its orange 24-hour "Snowflake" hand, Black Bay Pro is powered by the TUDOR Manufacture Calibre MT5652 with built-in GMT function.

KEY POINTS

Tudor Black Bay Pro, Black fabric strap with yellow band

ADVENTURER SPIRIT AND TECHNICAL AESTHETICS

Throughout their history, TUDOR watches have been chosen by some of the boldest adventurers, like the 30 explorers who embarked on the two-year British North Greenland Expedition to study Arctic ice exactly 70 years ago, with TUDOR watches on their wrists.

Brand founder Hans Wilsdorf supplied watches for the members of the expedition.He had just created the first waterproof and self-winding TUDOR watch, the Oyster Prince model, and couldn't imagine a better environment for testing it than the extreme climate of the Arctic.

The Black Bay Pro model reflects the heritage of those instruments used by the pioneering explorers. This is a tool-watch designed for professional use.

Tudor Black Bay pro, Riveted steel bracelet with polished and satin finish

Whilst this model is part of the Black Bay line, it introduces many new and unique aesthetic details, starting with its winding crown which has been entirely redesigned for maximum grip. Reminiscent of the curves found on the crowns of the brand's historical technical watches, this new component is set flush to the middle case band so that its tube is not visible. In another new feature, the applied hour markers on the dial are made from monobloc luminous ceramic. This feature enhances the technical aesthetic of Black Bay Pro whilst considerably increasing the luminous surface of the hour markers.

A new bracelet clasp, with a TUDOR "T-fit" rapid size-adjustment system, completes the list of new innovations included in this model. Easy to use, requiring no tools and offering five positions, the "T-fit" system allows the wearer to carry out a fine, instant adjustment of up to 8mm on the clasp.

TWO TIME ZONES

On the Black Bay Pro model, the reference time is indicated by an angular orange "Snowflake" hand, an aesthetic hallmark of TUDOR, which completes a lap of the dial every 24 hours. Local time is indicated by another, shorter "Snowflake" hand set by a jumping hour, which can be moved either backwards or forwards.

The date, displayed through an aperture positioned at 3 o'clock, is coupled with the local time hand so that when setting the time and passing midnight in retrograde, it instantly jumps to the previous day.A highly unusual, sophisticated and particularly practical function for the user.

THE MANUFACTURE CALIBRE MT5652

The Manufacture Calibre MT5652 with built-in GMT function was developed by TUDOR for the Black Bay Pro model. It illustrates the technical development process which is unique to TUDOR, drawing on adaptable architecture capable of including new functions into its manufactured movements rather than resorting to additional modules. A minor detail for some, but a must for watchmaking purists.

It has been designed to ensure robustness, longevity, reliability and precision, as has its variable inertia balance, which is maintained by a sturdy traversing bridge with a two-point fixation. Together with its non-magnetic silicon balance spring, the Manufacture Calibre MT5652 is certified as a chronometer by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), with its performance going beyond the standards set by this independent institute.

In fact, where COSC allows an average variation in the daily running of a watch of between -4 and +6 seconds in relation to absolute time in a single movement, TUDOR insists on between -2 and +4 seconds’ variation in its running when it is completely assembled.

Tudor Black Bay Pro, hybrid rubber and leather strap

Another notable feature is that the power reserve of the Manufacture Calibre MT5652 is "weekend-proof", about 70 hours. This enables the wearer to take the watch off on a Friday evening and put it back on again on Monday morning without having to reset it.

STEEL BRACELET OR JACQUARD-WOVEN OR LEATHER STRAP

The fabric strap is one of the hallmarks of TUDOR, which, in 2010, became one of the first watchmaking brands to offer it with its products.

Woven in France using a traditional method on 19th century Jacquard looms by the Julien Faure company in the St-Etienne region, its manufacturing quality and comfort on the wrist are unique.

In 2020, TUDOR celebrated ten years of collaboration with the hundred-and-fifty-year-old Julien Faure company. The partnership began with the launch of Heritage Chrono, the first model fitted with a fabric strap created by the craftsmen, at Baselworld 2010.

Tudor Black Bay Pro, reference number 79470

For the Black Bay Pro, TUDOR has selected a black strap with a yellow band woven by these traditional craftsmen. The model is also available with a stainless steel bracelet inspired by the folding riveted bracelets made by TUDOR in the 1950s and 1960s. These were famous for having visible rivet heads on the side of the bracelet that held the links together. The links also had a distinct stepped construction. These two aesthetic details are found on the current bracelet, which also integrates modern manufacturing methods with solid links and laser-finished rivet-style heads. Finally, the Black Bay Pro is also available with a hybrid strap in black rubber and leather with a folding clasp.

THE ESSENCE OF BLACK BAY

The Black Bay line features dials inspired by the TUDOR divers’ watches produced during the 1950s. It borrows the characteristic angular hands known to collectors as “Snowflake” from models that appeared in the brand’s 1969 catalogue. Its unprotected crown and the characteristics of its case are reminiscent of the first generations of TUDOR divers' watches.

The Black Bay line is the result of the subtle blend of traditional aesthetics and contemporary watchmaking. Far from simply being an identical re-release of a classic, it brings together over sixty years of TUDOR divers' watches at the same time as being resolutely anchored in the present.

Tudor Black Bay Pro, riveted steel bracelet with polished and satin finish

Whilst it is neo-vintage in conception, its manufacturing techniques, reliability, robustness and the quality of its finish are consistent with today's more rigorous requirements.

THE TUDOR GUARANTEE

Since the brand’s creation by Hans Wilsdorf in 1926 and in line with his vision of the ideal timepiece, TUDOR has been ceaselessly creating watches that are as robust, durable, reliable and precise as possible. On the strength of this experience, and confident in the superior quality of its watches, TUDOR offers a five-year guarantee for all its products. This guarantee does not require the watch to be registered or submitted to periodic checks and is transferable.

Tudor Black Bay Pro, reference number 79470

ABOUT TUDOR

TUDOR is an award-winning Swiss-made watch brand, offering watches with sophisticated style, proven reliability and unmatched value for money. The origins of TUDOR date back to 1926, when “The Tudor” was first registered as a brand on behalf of the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf. He officially set up the Montres TUDOR SA company in 1946 to produce watches that respect the traditional Rolex philosophy of quality at a more affordable price point. Because of their robustness and affordability, throughout their history TUDOR watches have been chosen by the boldest adventurers on land, in the air, underwater and on ice. Today the TUDOR collection includes emblematic models such as Black Bay,Pelagos,1926 and Royal. Since 2015, TUDOR has also offered models with mechanical Manufacture Calibres with multiple functions and superior performance.

39 mm steel case
Riveted steel bracelet
EUR 3’750
39 mm steel case
Hybrid rubber and leather strap
EUR 3’450
39 mm steel case
Black fabric strap with yellow band
EUR 3’450

REFERENCE 79470

CASE
39mm steel case with polished and satin finish

BEZEL
24-hour graduated fixed bezel in satin-brushed steel

WINDING CROWN
Steel screw-down crown with the TUDOR rose in relief

DIAL
Black, domed

CRYSTAL
Domed sapphire crystal

WATERPROOFNESS
Waterproof to 200 m (660 ft)

BRACELET
Riveted steel bracelet with polished and satin finish, or hybrid rubber and leather strap with steel folding clasp and safety catch, or black fabric strap with yellow band and buckle

MOVEMENT
Manufacture Calibre MT5652 (COSC)
Self-winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system
Integrated construction

PRECISION
Swiss Chronometer officially certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute)

FUNCTIONS
Jumping hours (second time zone), 24 hours, minutes and seconds at the centre
Instantaneous date at 3 o'clock without non-correction range synchronised on the jumping hours hand
Stop-seconds for precise time setting

OSCILLATOR
Variable inertia balance, micro-adjustment screw
Non-magnetic silicon balance spring
Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz)

MOVEMENT DIAMETER
31.8 mm

THICKNESS
7.52 mm

JEWELS
28 jewels

POWER RESERVE
Power reserve of approximately 70 hours

Similar stories