Rolex

The Rolex GMT MASTER 6542 White, supposed to have been released for the Pan Am Ground Team ( Credit: Stefano Mazzariol ) 

Tudor dares where Rolex doesn't, with the elder sister's benediction. Funny. 

The first Tudor Black Bay GMT was born with a black dial and a 41 mm case. Since then, some ( myself included ) were expecting a 39 mm case, a tad slimmer, but certainly not a white dialed version! 

The dial, called opaline, is in fact more off-white. I could only see it at the Tudor Booth at Watches and Wonders, with some not so evident light conditions, but it looks quite nice. 

In fact, it is a kind of poor man's GMT MASTER White Gold Meteorite, in my opinion. And it gives a radically different character to this watch. Less powerful than the Black, but not less pleasant

The case is the same, as big as the former and still at the catalogue version, with a height of 14, 6 mm. It is water resistant to 200 meters, which will allow you to use it in any situation. And these generous beveled lugs are still here. 

The movement is the same, the so-called in house ( wasn't it a project with another brand, Breitling from memory? ) movement, the MT 5652, automatic, beating at 28, 800 vibrations per hour, and with a very good autonomy of 70 hours. 

You also have the choice between a Fabric Strap and a Steel Bracelet. For the light difference of price, I would go for the Bracelet ( only 300 Euros more ) and play with some Canvas straps. 

Now, the real question is to know which dial I would prefer. The safe card is to go for the Black, but I must admit that the Opaline took my heart. The best solution? Getting both of them. At this price, it is doable, and you will spend less than for a Rolex GMT MASTER. 

Unless, as wished and expected for some years now, Tudor achieves to totally please and convince us with a 39 mm and thinner case. Tudor, please, pretty please! 

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas