amanico
[JLC Moderator]
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Basel 2016: Tudor Black Bay: The new details you may have missed.
The Bronze Black Bay is certainly the most spectacular Tudor novelty, this year. Aesthetically, for sure, as it shows a bronze case, which is still an unusual color for a watch, even if in our modern times, Genta did what, 10 years ago with the Gefica, and Panerai, too, with the Bronzo.
The size is a first, too, with 43 mm, which is exclusive to the Bronze.
With the Bronze Black Bay, you also have a new dial: 3 / 6 / 9 applied indices is the first detail which will jump to our eyes, the brown color, too.
What you may have missed is the straight wording on the dial. Before, half of the wording above 6 o' clock was curved.
The Rose has gone, for a shield, too... Maybe, or probably to announce a mechanical change and to avoid any confusion with the former versions...
Indeed, the movement, Cal 5602, is in house, now, with its silicon spiral. This movement increases the power reserve, compared to the former one, by almost 100% ( 70 hours ), as the ETA had an autonomy of 38 hours. I quite liked the ETA for what it was, a reliable and accurate movement, though.
The Cal 5602:
Some other points to underline, now...
- In parallel to the Bronze, this is the WHOLE Black Bay family which has been revisited.
The Red, the Black and the Blue still exist, but with two changes: The Manufacture movement, now ( Exit the ETA, which is not housed in the black Bay anymore ), and the straight wording at 6 o' clock.
- The Black Bay is also offered in a steel PVD version, called " Dark ". Available with a steel PVD bracelet, or an old looking leather strap and a Nato. The Black Bay Dark has a red depth writing on the dial, the red triangle on the insert, and a silver minutes ring. Exit the gilt writings, and the faux patina on this version.
The funny detail is the absence of end links on the PVD bracelet, while the normal steel version has them...
The Black Bay ETA is dead after a four years career, Long Life to the Black Bay Tudor, an ever growing family.
I regret the absence of a version with pencil hands, though. But maybe it will come in the next years?
So, which one has your favors?
Best,
Nicolas
More posts:
Basel 2016: Tudor Black Bay: The new details you may have missed.
The Bronze Black Bay is certainly the most spectacular Tudor novelty, this year. Aesthetically, for sure, as it shows a bronze case, which is still an unusual color for a watch, even if in our modern times, Genta did what, 10 years ago with the Gefica, an...
What is the strap in the first photo?
It looks like the elastic French diver's strap (that I've been trying to get for a while ;-) )
Bronze for me, Sir!
I find this model very interesting: I don't see often a watch that doesn't make me the desire to "modify" it, for sure this is one of those rare cases! About the metal, probably the bronze alloy aging becoming a little darker, gaining personality... a pie...
I can only say that the bronze intrigues me a lot.
I have different interrogations about it: The patina of the case, of course, but also the 2 extra mm compared to the normal black bay, and the dial... I really have to see it in the real... All the best, Amico. Nicolas
It is not available at the AD here yet but definitely something I will add..
to my other bronze, the Zenith Extra Special. I read in one review that aluminium was added to the alloy to control the rate of patina formation. Not sure if that means the case will hold up much longer in terms of aging.
I think Tudor is doing a great job.
I just have a little trouble with general direction with size. Even Rolex is growing. I wish they would go on a diet for the next round. But as you said what Tudor is doing is intriguing without a doubt. Bill
Great job by Tudor this year, they stole the show!
I am a big fan of the Black Bay (even though I wish they were 39mm), move to in-house movement is great one too. Great summary, thanks for posting! The bronze I am very intrigued by. I have heard some criticism of the alloy chosen for its light and colder...
Third difference from old Black Bays - Shield logo instead of rose logo
Thanks for this informative posting, Nicolas. One minor amendment: In addition to the two differences you mention for the “new” Black Bays (in-house movement; changed text language and straight-line orientation of text) Tudor also dropped the former rose ...
I mentioned the straight wording and the change from the rose to the shield, Ano.
Now, like you, I preferred the former wording and rose. It was, like you said, so Tudor. Still, I would well see myself with a duo of Black Bay Red ( former ) and a new Black Bay... Which one? Probably the Black Bay Black no PVD. Even if this red line dri...
Normally...
I'm normally not a fan of black watches, but in this case, the Dark speaks to me...it looks to be very nicely executed and the color comes together very nicely.
Hello Nicolas! Thank you so much for this most informative post about the new BB line...
... which I personally like very much... but with a few reserves: What I don´t like: the abandon of the rose emblem, and the curved wording. I would have loved Tudor had kept these two features. I can understand though that Tudor wished to mark a differen...
I am in the same boat, 100% in the same boat, my friend.
I cannot wait to see the Bronze in the flesh... I HAVE to know. Un abrazo, Nicolas
Thank you Nicolas! Glad to know we share same feelings...
... and "gustos" Let´s see the Bronzo Tudor soon I hope! Abrazos afectuosos, Abel.
Well, when I first saw the Black Bay Red, I was not a big fan...
So, I learned to be prudent... Since then. Un abrazo. Nicolas
I hope I like it. Ordered one the day it was announced.
I am a RG fan and the bronze really struck me, but 43 mm is huge. I prefer the leather strap. Should be a fun piece. JerryW
Will be on my wrist soon.
Even has the strap I prefer already on the watch. Back soon with details. JerryW ...
A precision: the first Gefica was created in 1988
About the Tudor, I have to confess that I start to be bored by all these BB versions... End of the story and it is maybe the reason why Davide Cerrato left. Fx
I don't go crazy over all the new additions but for me, I really like the bronze version...
But isn't that following the idea of Rolex, its basically always the same watch but everyone goes crazy over a Daytona with a slightly differently coloured dial or another sub or a change of font... and they still sell Cheers Andrew
You have a strong point, here, Andrew. To be ( cool ) or not to be, that is the question
Which will find an answer in the real life... I hope I will not like the Bronze, or I will end with three Black Bays! Best, Nicolas
I am sorry Nico...
For your bank balance! Its a slippery slope and I love wearing my blue bay... but the bronze is soft and warm. Its just whether the extra few mm's is too big on your wrist. I love black watches, but honestly the black did absolutely nothing for me. Cheers...
