We are witnessing the rewriting of history. The new Black Bay 54 is coming to change the game at the diver's watch segment.
Rolex's sister company Tudor. I am sure that we are all familiar with that. Cooling under the shadow of Rolex for many years, the brand both increased its awareness with the models it introduced one after another and proved that it could be a choice on its own rather than an alternative. Black Bay 54, which stands before us today, takes the diver's watch hierarchy game one step further.
The rotating bezel members of the Black Bay series are characterized as rare models that combine usability, quality, and a relatively affordable price tag in a single body. Cases, bracelets, dials, and hands decorated with historical details are being reintroduced to the world of watches with modern production technologies. As a result, happy customers who have watches that play the lead in their price category can enjoy their Black Bays without being stuck on waiting lists.
For Black Bay 54; Take the quality you are familiar with from other models, the tough feel, riveted bracelet, matte, and textured dial, characteristic hands, in short, every detail that gives the Black Bay its identity, and put it in a 37mm diameter, well-proportioned case. I could not have guessed that the result was so impressive without wearing the watch on my wrist.
The magnificence of the 37mm size comes from both its comfort and its harmony with Black Bay's "vintage" theme. The unique comfort it provides on the wrist should not be overlooked. Narrower, shorter, and thinner. Black Bay 54, is a candidate to be one of the most successful examples of the popular downsizing trend of recent times. The domed sapphire crystal and 200 meters water resistance value, which we are familiar with from other models, continue to exist in this model as well. The masterfully crafted brushed surfaces are accompanied by polished and chamfered contours that define the contours of the case. Yellow gold details on the dial and hands are also carried over from the original Tudor Prince Submariner models. Even though the black diving bezel, which can rotate in one direction and is made of anodized aluminum, reinforces the historical atmosphere of the watch, makes me ask "It's 2023, why haven't all bezel enamels switched to ceramic?". The Tudor rose, located on the screw-in winding crown, is another detail that makes me smile.
The Black Bay 54 is powered by the automatic Caliber MT5400. 27-jewels COSC-certified movement beats at 4Hz (28.800vph) and offers a 70-hour power reserve. The dimensions of this movement are 31.8mm x 6.5mm, but the Black Bay 54's case has been expertly designed and manufactured to hide the thickness of the movement.
Stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap. Which option would you like to purchase your Black Bay 54 with? “Of course, stainless steel bracelet” I can hear you say. The riveted link design that reinforces the historically important riveted appearance, is here to increase the visual appreciation factor rather than functionality. Due to the flat structure of the links, the form narrowing from the lugs to the clasp is not continuous and creates a ladder-like structure. This may be ineffective for some and a disadvantage for others. However, what I will say now will be my only tangible criticism of the watch. The width of the Black Bay 54's clasp is considerably larger than the bracelet. It's as if they tried to fit the clasp of a bracelet from another model to this watch at the last moment. I wonder why the clasp, which can be adjusted perfectly tight on each wrist thanks to the T-fit system, is produced so wide.
Long story short, the Tudor Black Bay 54 is an extremely successful watch in a package. Many details have been recreated for this model, rather than taken directly from the larger members of the extended family. As I mentioned above if only the clasp was narrower. Anyway, congratulations Tudor, you did a great job.
