News
Tudor at Baselworld 2018
Every year in the run-up to the Basel fair, I dogmatically declare that Tudor can’t possibly keep reinventing the (watch) wheel with the Black Bay, and every year I have to eat my words as we see yet another great selection of BBs from the rose-and-shield. This year was no exception, even offering up the Black Bay complication that we all expected to see last year: the GMT. Beyond the wonderful BBs, there was also a new collection, based on Tudor’s archives and sure to be a commercial success thanks to its astounding price point.
On that note, please allow me to introduce the Tudor 2018 line-up:
Black Bay GMT
I will leave the news of the new steel GMT Master II for another story, as the Black Bay GMT — one of the shining stars of Basel and a huge commercial success already — deserves a mention all of its own. With the iconic (and as all Revolution contributors and editors will tell you, this is not a word I use lightly) rotating 24-hour “Pepsi” bezel — which draws inspiration from the first two BB models: Burgundy and Blue — and red snowflake hand, the watch allows easy and legible reading of local time as well as that in two other time zones.
Technical Specifications
Movement
Self-winding manufacture Calibre MT5652; COSC-certified; bidirectional rotor system; jumping hour (second time zone); 24-hours, minutes and seconds at the centre; date; silicon balance spring; 70-hour power reserve
Case
41mm steel case with polished and satin finish; bidirectional rotatable 48 notches bezel in steel
with 24-hour graduated anodised aluminium disc in matte burgundy and blue; steel screw-down winding crown, with Tudor rose in relief; waterproof to 200m
Strap
Riveted steel bracelet, with polished and satin finish, or “Terra di Siena” brown leather strap with folding clasp and safety catch, or black fabric strap with burgundy band
Black Bay Fifty-Eight
The steel case is 39mm in diameter and waterproof to 200m. Touches of gold have been added to the hour markers, hands and minute track of the bezel. The winding crown tube is in satin-brushed steel, while the crown itself features the Tudor rose logo in relief. The watch is powered by the COSC-certified, in-house Calibre MT5402 and displays hours, minutes and seconds. It is available on Tudor’s new riveted bracelet, a brown leather strap with folding clasp or black fabric strap with a gold-coloured band.
Technical Specifications
Movement
Self-winding manufacture Calibre MT5402; COSC certified; centre hour, minute and seconds hands; variable inertia balance; silicon balance spring; 70-hour power reserve
Case
39mm steel with polished and satin finish; unidirectional rotatable bezel in steel with 60-minute graduated disc in matte black anodised aluminium and pink gilded markings and numerals; steel screw-down winding crown with Tudor rose in relief; waterproof to 200m
Strap
Riveted steel bracelet with polished and satin finish or brown leather strap with folding clasp and safety catch or black fabric strap with a gold-coloured band
Black Bay 32
When the 41 and 36 were introduced last year, sans bezel, it took the Black Bay in a more subtle, subdued direction. The 36 in particular had a distinctly vintage feel and was a favourite amongst certain fashionistas in the Revolution and Rake offices. For 2018, the brand has taken it one step further in terms of choice, launching a new mini model: the 32.
As the latest member of the Black Bay clan, the 32 may be small but it is also mighty with a steel case water-resistant to 150m, housing an automatic movement. The blue or black lacquered dials are treated to the familiar BB luminescent hour markers.
As well as this diminutive new model, last year’s 41 and 36 are also treated to a makeover with new blue dial options.
Technical Specifications
Case
32mm steel with polished and satin finish; steel screw-down winding crown, with Tudor rose in relief; waterproof to 150m
Movement
Self-winding Calibre 2824, 38-hour power reserve
Strap
Steel bracelet with satin finish, or brown leather strap with folding clasp and safety catch or black fabric strap with buckle
Black Bay S&G
Technical Specifications
Movement
Self-winding manufacture Calibre MT5612 with bidirectional rotor system; COSC-certified; centre hour, minute and seconds hands; date; 70-hour power reserve
Case
41mm steel case with polished and satin finish; unidirectional rotating bezel in yellow gold with 60-minute graduated matte black anodised aluminium disc; gold markings; yellow-gold screw-down winding crown; waterproof to 200m
Strap
Steel and yellow-gold bracelet or aged leather strap with folding clasp and safety catch, or fabric strap with buckle
The 1926
As much as this year was another raging success for the Black Bay, there was one surprise in Tudor’s arsenal, in the form of a brand-new family of watches aimed at the first-time buyer. It is a full 92 years since Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf registered a new brand name: The Tudor. And in honour of the year of its birth, Tudor has launched the 1926 collection which stays true to the brand’s original aim of supplying technically excellent, aesthetically pleasing watches at an accessible price.
Equipped with self-winding movements, the watches have a 38-hour power reserve and are available in 28mm, 36mm, 39mm and 41mm in steel or steel-and-gold cases, the dials of the 1926 collection are a nod to Tudor’s illustrious past, featuring a vintage-style “waffle” design in a choice of silver, opaline or black. Applied even-numbered Arabic numerals are complemented by arrow-shaped hour markers or diamond-set markers and sword-shaped hands. A bracelet made up of seven brushed and polished links of different sizes hugs the wrist
With prices ranging from CHF1,600-2,750, the 1926 represents a new standard for entry into the mechanical watch world and is sure to be a winner for Tudor in 2018.