Jamie Weiss
Tudor follows up March’s Black Bay Chrono Pink with the more versatile Black Bay Chrono Blue.Specifically, it utilises a dark shade known as “Tudor Blue”, made famous by the Tudor Submariner “Snowflake” and Oysterdate Chronograph “Montecarlo”.A boutique edition, it also comes mounted on a five-link bracelet with a T-fit clasp.Normally it’s April when the whole watch world is jockeying for attention: now it seems late August is the new hot time. Watches and Wonders Shanghai started today, Geneva Watch Days starts tomorrow… Looks like Tudor had FOMO, as they’ve hijacked these two fairs by dropping a dressed-down but very dapper new take on the Black Bay Chrono that’s sure to be a fan favourite.It’s effectively the same watch (even down to the bracelet) as the Black Bay Chrono Pink that dropped in March earlier this year, which has proven to be one of the hottest Tudor releases in recent memory. As cool as that pink model is, however, this blue model is arguably far more versatile – it’s the white T-shirt and blue denim jeans counterpart to the Pink’s statement outfit – and despite being exclusively a boutique edition, will potentially be easier to acquire at retail.It’s also thematic for the brand because this isn’t just any blue: it’s “Tudor Blue”, as made famous by the cult-classic Tudor Submariner “Snowflake” and Oysterdate Chronograph “Montecarlo” of the 1970s. Aesthetically, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono Blue is kind of a pastiche of those two, sporting snowflake hands (although not box-shaped indices), two subdials and a date window at 6 o’clock. Unlike either of those watches, it features a fixed tachymeter bezel (although the blue aluminium insert is quite retro). The reverse-panda look also hits those old-school notes.Another crucial point of difference between the Snowflake and Montecarlo and this new model is that the Black Bay Chrono Blue features a less off-the-shelf movement. Its COSC-certified MT5813, which is based on the Breitling B01 architecture but exclusive to Tudor, boasts a column-wheel, vertical clutch and a robust 70-hour power reserve. As alluded to earlier, fans of (or those who have missed out on) the Black Bay Chrono Pink will be happy to hear that the Black Bay Chrono Blue also features a Jubilee-style five-link bracelet with T-fit.Tudor Black Bay Chrono Blue pricing and availabilityThe Tudor Black Bay Chrono Blue is available now, exclusively from Tudor boutiques. Price: US$5,875, A$8,800BrandTudorModelBlack Bay Chrono BlueCase Dimensions41mm (D) x 14.2mm (T) x 49.9mm (LTL)Case MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance200m, screw-down crownCrystalDomed sapphire crystalDialBlue with black countersStrapFive-link stainless steel bracelet w/ T-fit rapid adjustment claspMovementCalibre MT5813, in-house, COSCPower Reserve70 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronographAvailabilityNow, boutique exclusivePriceUS$5,875, A$8,800
28.08.24