Tudor Heritage Black Bay automatique 41 mm Full Set 2017

Heritage Black Bay: the revival

The Tudor Black Bay marked a decisive turning point for the brand. Launched in 2012, in the midst of an unprecedented craze for vintage watches, it won over collectors by offering a modern reinterpretation of historic models. Drawing on its archives, Tudor has created a watch that is both timeless and contemporary, capable of rivaling the greatest brands. The Black Bay not only reinvigorated Tudor's image, but also opened up new horizons for the brand, enabling it to win over a new, more demanding public.

The success of the Black Bay has only grown over the years. Since its launch, the collection has been enriched by numerous models, each bringing its own touch of originality. From more compact versions like the BB58 and BB54 to GMT or Chronograph editions... Tudor has never ceased to reinvent its flagship model.

The model

This Heritage Black Bay thus borrows its general lines and domed crystal from the brand's first diver's watch, the TUDOR Submariner reference 7922, which appeared in 1954. It also owes the spirit of its domed dial, a common feature of early Tudor Submariner models. Its imposing winding crown refers to a model that appeared in 1958 under reference 7924 and was nicknamed “Big Crown” by collectors. Its characteristically angular hands, known to insiders as “snowflake”, were offered by TUDOR from 1969 until the early 1980s. These multiple references to the brand's aesthetic heritage combined with contemporary design elements such as a 41 mm steel case, a blue eloxed aluminum crown tube, make this Black Bay a watch with a powerful identity, the embodiment of the brand's regeneration process.

Last but not least, the bezel, in a midnight-blue hue matching the crown tube, cools the vibration of the steel case while giving the whole a functional, aquatic dimension that echoes the military past of some of the brand's references. Indeed, during the second half of the 20th century, the French Navy in particular was equipped with Tudor diving watches, most often in blue. This version comes with a blue leather strap fitted with a steel folding clasp.

A collector's item?

The Tudor Black Bay “Smiley” with ETA movement is destined for a collector's future for several reasons. First, Tudor's transition to in-house calibers in 2016 has made these models with ETA movement rarer. In time, there will be more Tudor “Manufacture” models than Tudor “ETA” models. What's more, the unique combination of the “Rose of the Tudor” on the dial, the slimmer case and the ETA movement make this a transitional piece, marking a pivotal moment in the brand's history. It is this combination of historical elements and specific features that destines it to become an object of desire for collectors, especially as models with in-house movements have become the norm.

Your choice, a Rose dial and a much funnier “Smiley” dial, or a shield dial and a more consensual dial?

The package

This 2017 Tudor BB41 watch is in excellent condition, in fact it's had a tour around our workshop for a full check-in: running check, polishing/satinning, cleaning and water-resistance! It will be delivered to you Full Set, with its case, manual and Tudor warranty. Like all our 10h10 watches, this one benefits from our Lepage Vintage one-year warranty.