Tudor Black Bay METAS automatic burgundy bezel black dial steel bracelet 5 links 41 mm

The essence of the Black Bay

The Black Bay line features dials inspired by those of TUDOR dive watches produced in the 1950s. It also borrows TUDOR's characteristically angular hands, nicknamed "Snowflake" in collector's circles, which appeared in the brand's catalog in 1969. Its unprotected crown as well as the through bar holes on its lugs are finally typical elements of the first generations of TUDOR diving watches.

The Black Bay line is the result of subtle combinations of historical aesthetic codes and contemporary watchmaking. As opposed to a work of identical reissue of a classic, it offers a condensation of more than sixty years of TUDOR diving watches, while being resolutely anchored in the present. The feel is neo vintage, but the manufacturing techniques, the level of reliability, robustness, and the quality of the finishes are in line with today's highest demands.

An iconic look

The Black Bay with burgundy bezel remains the most recognized and recognizable TUDOR model. In this new version, the case retains its original 41mm diameter dimensions, with a slimmer profile. The unidirectional rotating bezel is easy to handle and its insert features numbers with lines aligned with the curvature of the ring. The evolution of aesthetic details does not stop at the dimensions of the case and the bezel. The seconds hand, with its round luminous material dot, recalls the design of the brand's first diving watches, while the black dial is subtly satin-sunrayed, giving it a discreet glow under direct light. Ergonomics have also evolved: the redesigned crown recalls the curves of the crowns of the brand's historic technical watches, plated to the caseband, so that its tube is not visible.

A manufacture caliber

The Manufacture Caliber MT5602-U that powers this Black Bay model displays the hours, minutes and seconds functions. It has the general appearance of the TUDOR Manufacture Calibers but characteristic laser sunburst finishes and bears the Master Chronometer mark on its bridges, highlighting its exceptional performance. Its openworked rotor is made of one-piece tungsten. Its bridges and plate exhibit alternating sandblasted and polished surfaces and laser-made decorations.

Its construction is designed for sturdiness and precision thanks to its variable inertia balance maintained by a solid double-anchored through-bridge. Coupled with a non-magnetic silicon balance spring, this system allows the Caliber MT5602-U to operate within a tolerance interval of 5 seconds (0 /+5) tested on the fully assembled watch run.

Another notable feature is that the power reserve of the Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U is said to be "weekend-proof," certified at 70 hours by METAS, allowing the wearer to put the watch down on Friday night and pick it up again on Monday morning without having to wind it. Even if you need to take the weekend off, your watch doesn't.

A new steel bracelet

This new Black Bay diver comes with a brushed and polished five oval mesh steel bracelet, equipped with the TUDOR "T fit" quick adjust clasp. Easy to use, tool-free and with five positions, this convenient device allows the wearer to make instant fine adjustments within an 8-millimeter window of adjustment of the overall bracelet length. The clasp features a ceramic ball system that ensures a reliable closure, while providing a clean, comfortable feel.