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Another hit from Tudor - the Heritage Black Bay 36mm
The trend back towards smaller watches now seems to be in full flow - not as a replacement for the sizes of 40mm and above but more as a complement, offering a larger variety of options again. Fully in line with this, Tudor has decided to offer a 36mm version of their Heritage Black Bay line, which I had the opportunity to try on recently.
Perhaps still on the small side on my wrist (17,5cm) but definitely wearable. So it will remain a personal choice, if one believes that it can be pulled off or not. What remains is a very solid tool watch, that is versatile enough to be worn in most circumstances and definitely not so butch that it would be completely unacceptable with a suit. Unfortunately they did not have one with the leather strap - would have loved to try that, too.
Compared to the previous family members, you keep much of the design and all of the construction quality but lose the rotating bezel and a couple of mm of case size. The proportions look right as a result, since the thinner bezel goes a long way towards making the watch appear a tad bigger than its actual size.
Perhaps still on the small side on my wrist (17,5cm) but definitely wearable. So it will remain a personal choice, if one believes that it can be pulled off or not. What remains is a very solid tool watch, that is versatile enough to be worn in most circumstances and definitely not so butch that it would be completely unacceptable with a suit. Unfortunately they did not have one with the leather strap - would have loved to try that, too.
Compared to the current generation of the large case Black Bays, the 36mm still retains its ETA movement for the moment. Not sure if a change to the in-house MT reference is planned but the much longer power reserve apart, I see no pressing reason for it. What is also an asset is the comparatively large crown, which makes winding and setting the time a breeze - possibly future Purist generations will lust after this 'large crown' model.
The bracelet is solid and uses screws for link removal, making it easy to do at home, too (if one is so inclined). Very nice closing mechanism, giving the feeling of absolute security (no play or wobbliness here).
Where the watch definitely worked flawlessly, was on the more slender wrist of my wife 
She was quite happy with how it wore or looked, even if it would not be her favourite from the Tudor stable (surprisingly she most liked the North Flag on a steel bracelet). But goes to show that Tudor managed to create a pretty universally attractive watch - that can easily grace the wrists of both ladies and gents, and that may well add customers to their portfolio, for whom diving usually did not extend beyond taking a bath (without a watch) 
So glad to have been able to try this one - may well still be in the cards for 2017.
Thanks for viewing!
very nice indeed
tried it a couple of weeks ago
looks amazing and it's a bargain
but 36 mm ? Really ?
I tried it and it is way too small for me
I wish they'll make a 40 or 42 soon
that aside I almost bought it, my GF liked it a lot and it was magnificent on het wrist.
But at the end she did not take it ... maybe one day
In all honesty if it was just a tad larger...
I.e. 38mm, it would probably have left the store with me there and then And as you said, an excellent value proposition...
And as you said, an excellent value proposition...
Well there is the Black Bay Fifty Eight for that, and its 39 mm case! [nt]
No message body
Good pics my friend
I like a robust tudor smaller than the 41mm Black Bays but I do feel 36mm is a tad small today.
Don't understand why Tudor needs 43mm (bronze), 41mm and 36mm black bays. Why not have Black Bays that are just nice at 39 or 40mm?
Cheers
Robin
I could live with a uniform size at 39-40mm
But I suppose they cover more options this way. I do hope the model without the rotating bezel gets offered in more options / different sizes, though.
Thanks for your feedback, Robin!
Thanks for your feedback, Robin!
Do you think this 36mm case size is for men demand or, why not, to answer to women demand?
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
I think it was meant for both...
Men, who want a smaller size and women. And I can see it working. But as said, 38mm may have found somewhat broader appeal...
Agree with you (38mm is better). I'm happy to see that brands make smaller case sizes. For instance GO with its new PanoMaticLunar
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
I think Alkiro meant it more in the context of meeting up, Nico :) [nt]
No message body
I am currently checking the dates with my professional duties... But there are big chances I can do it. [nt]
No message body
I never said that. Read our entire discussion and you will understand
Merry Christmas
Best wishes
Alkiro
Best wishes
Alkiro