TUDOR is proud to introduce the latest addition to its renowned Black Bay collection, a cutting-edge evolution in both technical prowess and aesthetic appeal. This exceptional diving watch features a distinctive burgundy bezel and incorporates advanced design elements, including the innovative “T-fit” clasp. What sets it apart is its Master Chronometer certification by METAS, marking a new pinnacle in the Black Bay line’s development.
The journey of the Black Bay began in 2012 with the introduction of the original model sporting a striking burgundy bezel. In 2016, it received the prestigious Manufacture Calibre treatment. Now, in its third evolution, the Black Bay previews the future of this iconic timepiece, perfectly combining masterful watchmaking technology with design elements influenced by TUDOR’s nearly seven-decade heritage of crafting rugged professional diving watches. METAS, the Federal Institute of Metrology, rigorously tested and certified the Black Bay, showcasing TUDOR’s commitment to achieving the industry’s highest standards of chronometry and resistance to magnetic fields.
Key Features
- The watch maintains the “Original” Black Bay proportions, featuring a 41mm stainless steel case with a unidirectional burgundy bezel.
- The subtly domed satin radial-brushed black dial is adorned with gilt accents.
- Iconic “Snowflake” hands, a hallmark introduced in 1969 on TUDOR divers’ watches, glow with Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova luminescence.
- Powered by the Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U, this timepiece is officially certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) and boasts a silicon hairspring with a generous 70-hour power reserve.
- Choose from stainless steel three-link “rivet-style” or five-link bracelets, or a rubber strap, all equipped with the convenient TUDOR “T-fit” rapid adjustment clasp.
- TUDOR offers a generous five-year transferable guarantee, eliminating the need for registration or periodic maintenance checks.
TUDOR Quality
TUDOR continues its pursuit of excellence by subjecting the Black Bay to the rigorous Master Chronometer certification, a testament to the brand’s commitment to elevating the quality of its timepieces. This marks the third application of this certification in the TUDOR collection, signaling a future where the entire lineup may achieve METAS certification. This distinguished certification entails significant modifications to a standard TUDOR Manufacture Calibre, reaffirming TUDOR’s dedication to delivering exceptionally high-quality watches recognized by an independent authority.
Comprehensive Independent Certification and High Standards
METAS Master Chronometer certification is a comprehensive evaluation encompassing critical watch characteristics, including precision, magnetic field resistance, waterproofing, and power reserve. Its exacting standards demand remarkable precision; the watch must maintain a daily deviation within a 5-second range (0 +5), a feat surpassing the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) standard (-4 +6) applied to single movements and even exceeding TUDOR’s internal -2 +4 standard. This certification also guarantees precise timekeeping in the face of magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss and verifies adherence to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 22810:2010 for water resistance. Furthermore, it validates the power reserve for each Master Chronometer watch. The prerequisites for this certification include Swiss manufacturing in compliance with Swiss Made criteria and COSC certification for the movement.
Criteria and Tests for METAS Certification: The Master Chronometer certification process, which the Black Bay successfully completed, includes:
- Swiss Made criteria
- Certification by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC)
- Precision tests at two temperatures, six different positions, and two power reserve levels (100% and 33%)
- Magnetic field resistance and precision testing
- Waterproof to 200 meters in accordance with ISO standard 22810:2010
- A remarkable 70-hour power reserve
The Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U: Powering the Black Bay is the Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U, which provides hour, minute, and seconds functions. This calibre embodies the look and feel of TUDOR Manufacture Calibres, featuring a distinctive sun laser design on its bridges and proudly displaying the Master Chronometer certification. The rotor is crafted from tungsten monobloc and is openworked, showcasing laser radial grooving with sand-blasted details. The bridges and mainplate alternate between sand-blasted and polished surfaces, adorned with laser decorations.
The build of the calibre prioritizes robustness and precision. A variable inertia balance wheel is secured by a sturdy traversing bridge with two-point anchoring, combined with a non-magnetic silicon hairspring. As a result, the Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U delivers exceptional timekeeping within a 5-second tolerance (0/+5) when tested in fully assembled watches. Notably, it boasts a “weekend-proof” power reserve of 70 hours, allowing the wearer to set the watch aside on a Friday evening and return to it on Monday morning without needing to wind it.
Emblematic Look
The Black Bay with its burgundy bezel remains one of TUDOR’s most iconic models. In this latest iteration, named Black Bay, the case retains the original 41mm diameter and features a slimmer profile. The unidirectional rotatable bezel boasts highly tactile sides, and its insert showcases subtly curved numerals that align with the outer ring’s outline. Aesthetic refinements extend to the seconds hand, reminiscent of the early diving watches with a lollipop design. The satin black dial, subtly radial-brushed, exudes a discreet shimmer when exposed to direct light. Ergonomics have also evolved with a redesigned crown, recalling the curves of the brand’s historical technical watch crowns, which sit flush with the middle case band.
Steel Bracelets or Rubber Strap, All with “T-fit”
The Black Bay offers versatility with a choice of an entirely satin-brushed three-link steel bracelet or a five-oval-shaped-link brushed and polished steel bracelet. Both options feature the TUDOR “T-fit” clasp, equipped with a user-friendly system for rapid length adjustment. This practical innovation, with five adjustable positions and no need for tools, enables wearers to fine-tune the bracelet’s length within an 8mm adjustment window. The clasp employs ceramic ball bearings, ensuring a smooth and secure closure while adding a tactile satisfaction to the clasp’s operation. Additionally, a black rubber strap option is available for the Black Bay, provided in three sizes and equipped with the TUDOR “T-fit” clasp. The strap can be custom-fitted to the wearer’s wrist size and boasts a snowflake motif on the inside for enhanced grip.
The Essence of Black Bay
The Black Bay series draws inspiration from TUDOR’s 1950s diving watches and incorporates the signature angular “Snowflake” hands from models featured in the 1969 catalogue. The unprotected crown and case characteristics pay homage to the initial generations of TUDOR divers’ watches. This blend of traditional aesthetics and modern watchmaking defines the Black Bay line as it seamlessly melds over six decades of TUDOR’s dive watch history with contemporary manufacturing techniques, ensuring reliability, durability, robustness, and impeccable finishing to meet today’s stringent standards.
The TUDOR Manufacture
Every TUDOR watch, including the Black Bay, is meticulously assembled and rigorously tested at the state-of-the-art TUDOR Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland. Completed in 2021 after three years of construction, this modern facility marries watchmaking expertise with cutting-edge production management and automated testing systems. Draped in TUDOR red, the Manufacture spans four levels and covers 5,500 square meters. It is physically and conceptually linked to the neighboring Kenissi Manufacture, TUDOR’s movement production facility established in 2016. Through Kenissi and a network of TUDOR-owned affiliates, the brand has achieved vertical integration, taking charge of developing and producing high-performance mechanical calibres and assuring their quality.
The TUDOR Guarantee
Since its inception in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, TUDOR has upheld its founder’s vision of creating robust, durable, reliable, and precise timepieces. With a profound commitment to quality, TUDOR offers an impressive five-year guarantee on all its products. This guarantee is transferable and doesn’t require registration or periodic checks. TUDOR recommends servicing its watches approximately every ten years, depending on the model’s usage in daily life.
For more information, please visit TudorWatch.com.