At Baselworld 2018, Tudor finally added a GMT model to their product line-up and the result is what could easily be one of the most talked about watches of the show. The Tudor Black Bay GMT Ref. 79830RB is built on the familiar 41mm Black Bay platform and brings customers a new level of accessibility when shopping for the coveted “Pepsi” design. For years, there has been a serious GMT price gap within the Rolex family and countless fans (myself included) were wondering when Tudor would step in to fill the void. Well, the day has come, and with the release of the new Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi in Oystersteel and this watch, it has proven to be a very good day to be a GMT watch lover.
Specifications
Brand: Tudor
Model: Black Bay GMT Ref. 79830RB
Dimensions: 41mm diameter
Case Material: Stainless steel, water-resistant to 200m
Crystal/Lens: Domed sapphire crystal
Movement: Manufacture Calibre MT5652 (COSC)
Frequency: 4Hz
Power Reserve: Approximately 70 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet with rivets, “Terra di Siena” brown leather strap, or black fabric strap with burgundy band and buckle
Price & Availability: $3,575 on leather and $3,900 on bracelet
Analysis
I think many will agree that the Tudor Black Bay GMT Ref. 79830RB is a watch that just had to happen. Personally, I always figured that if the day Tudor released a GMT watch ever came, it would be some kind of Pelagos. But, after drooling over this watch all morning, I’m happy to say that I can totally get down with it. Since its introduction, the Black Bay collection has proven to be one of the most worthy and accessible options for anyone looking to get into a high quality Swiss made watch with tons of Rolex DNA for a reasonable price. Everything we see on this watch today carries this tradition forward.
The aluminum bezel with its smaller, more subtle Arabics is especially charming and makes for a watch that will one day start to show its age, if patina is your thing. Other features include that familiar Black Bay big crown, a soft matte finish for the dial, in-house MT5652 COSC-certified movement, and the coolest red ‘snowflake’ GMT hand you’ve ever seen. In classic Tudor fashion, the package delivers considerable value and the watch can be fitted with a stainless steel bracelet, “Terra di Siena” brown leather strap, or a black fabric strap.
Summary
Baselworld 2018 may have only just started, but I think the Tudor Black Bay GMT may be in the running as my favorite watch of the show. Some will complain about the aluminum bezel, the snowflake hands, or maybe even the fact that it’s another Black Bay. But in the meantime, I’ll sit back and enjoy Tudor’s latest entry into the in-house, Swiss made GMT market. Price for the Tudor Black Bay GMT Ref. 79830RB is $3,575 USD on a strap and $3,900 USD on the bracelet. tudorwatch.com
Editor’s Note: Yes, the hour hand is independently adjustable.
