In a move that brings an even more conservative touch to the Black Bay collection, Tudor has just announced the release of the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight, featuring a 39mm case size. Rather than bombard us with a slew of new colors, Tudor seems to be a little more strategic with the Black Bay this year and the Black Bay GMT announced earlier today tops off the newest additions to the line-up. This is an especially welcome addition, since Tudor hasn’t stepped away from the Black Bay’s typical 41mm case size outside of the bezel-less offerings introduced a couple of years ago. The result is a watch with real vintage appeal and a case size we should see more brands experimenting with very soon.
Specifications
Brand: Tudor
Model: Black Bay Fifty-Eight Ref. 79030N
Dimensions: 39mm diameter x 11.9mm thickness
Case Material: Steel case with polished and satin finish
Crystal/Lens: Domed sapphire crystal
Movement: Manufacture Calibre MT5402 (COSC)
Frequency: 4Hz
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Riveted steel bracelet, brown leather strap with folding clasp, or black fabric strap
Price & Availability: $3,575 on bracelet, $3,250 on leather
Tudor Manufacture Calibre MT5402
Analysis
A watch like the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight has been the subject of a lot of “what if?” discussions in the watch world. While the typical 41mm offerings are solid choices for just about anyone seeking a sports watch, there are a lot of individuals out there that take issue with current dimensions, especially the lug-to-lug distance and the increased thickness brought on after the introduction of Tudor’s in-house calibers. That said, this watch is also considerably thinner at 11.9mm and still boasts the same 200m water resistance the model is known for.
The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight is also a bit of a throwback model. While it isn’t necessarily a vintage reissue of sorts, it is stylistically reminiscent of the Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner 7924 released in 1958. At 37mm, that specific reference also has a characteristic “Brevet” crown, essentially marking it as a very early Tudor ‘Big Crown’ dive watch. Personally, while the size will be a hit, I feel that the fun will really start when new owners start experimenting with straps – after all, this watch would absolutely kill it on an olive Marine Nationale strap with a yellow centerline to match the gilt accents Tudor employed here.
Summary
Overall I was happy to see the introduction of the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight. I think the revised size will be perfect for attracting new buyers that may have had difficulty with the dimensions before. It’s visually appealing and pays tribute to a classic Tudor model without being a blatant copy. Keep checking back for more Baselworld 2018 coverage where we’ll go hands-on with the Fifty-Eight and more. Price for the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight on the strap is $3,250 USD and $3,575 USD on a bracelet. tudorwatch.com