Tudor Black Bay METAS automatic watch black bezel black dial steel bracelet five links 41 mm

The essence of Black Bay

The Black Bay line features dials inspired by those of TUDOR diver's watches produced in the 1950s. It also borrows the characteristically angular TUDOR hands, nicknamed "Snowflake" in collectors' circles, which appeared in the brand's catalogue in 1969. Its unprotected crown and through-hole lugs are typical 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. In contrast to an identical re-edition 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 and robustness, and the quality of the finishes are in line with today's most demanding requirements.

An iconic look

The Black Bay with its unidirectional 60-minute graduated bezel in steel with black aluminium insert remains TUDOR's most recognised and recognisable model. In this new version, the case retains its original dimensions of 41 mm in diameter, with a slimmer profile. The unidirectional rotating bezel is easy to handle and its insert features numerals 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 pastille of luminous material, recalls the design of the brand's first diver's watches, while the domed black dial is discreet and elegant, giving it a glow under direct light. Ergonomics have also evolved: the redesigned crown recalls the curves of the crowns on the brand's historic technical watches, flush with the caseband so that its tube is not visible.

A Manufacture calibre

The Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U equipping this Black Bay model displays the hours, minutes and seconds functions. It has the general appearance of TUDOR Manufacture Calibres but with characteristic sunray laser finishing and bears the Master Chronometer label on its bridges, highlighting its exceptional performance. Its openworked rotor is made of one-piece tungsten. Its bridges and plate feature alternating sandblasted and polished surfaces and laser decoration.

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

Another noteworthy feature is the Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U's so-called "weekend-proof" power reserve, certified at 70 hours by METAS, enabling the wearer to put the watch down on Friday evening 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 bracelet with "T-fit" clasp

This new Black Bay comes with a five-mesh steel bracelet. This bracelet is available in three mesh or rubber, equipped with the TUDOR "T fit" clasp and, for a perfect fit, can be cut to the exact width of the wearer's wrist. The inside of the strap features the signature "Snowflake" motif, which improves grip and is specially adapted for the Black Bay.