Black Bay Pro

BLACK BAY PRO

Building on the Black Bay Pro’s robust reputation, this new version retains the 39mm diameter case, fixed steel bezel and Manufacture Calibre with built-in GMT function. So what’s new? A distinct new opaline dial with visual touches that make it extremely legible.

When the Black Bay Pro was released in 2022, it was an entirely new concept for TUDOR: take the heritage-inspired Black Bay formula and tweak it to a professional standard on the bleeding edge of tool watch functionality and design.

That resulted in a robust watch featuring a 24-hour graduated satin-brushed fixed bezel and a yellow 24-hour "Snowflake" hand, all powered by the TUDOR Manufacture Calibre MT5652 with a built- in GMT function.

Now the design is pushed even further, with an opaline dial that boosts legibility. The ceramic markers are outlined in black, as are the hands, to create a bold contrast that bolsters the design, making it suitable for any type of exploration, whether polar or subterranean.

"Take the heritage- inspired Black Bay formula and tweak it to a professional standard on the bleeding edge of tool watch functionality and design."

TWO TIME ZONES

On the Black Bay Pro model, the reference time is indicated by an angular yellow "Snowflake" hand, an aesthetic hallmark of TUDOR, which completes a lap of the dial every 24 hours. Local time is indicated by another, shorter "Snowflake" hand set by a jumping hour, which can be moved either backwards or forwards.

The date, displayed through an aperture positioned at 3 o'clock, is coupled with the local time hand so that when setting the time and passing midnight in retrograde, it instantly jumps to the previous day.

A highly unusual, sophisticated and particularly practical function for the user.

ADVENTURER SPIRIT AND TECHNICAL AESTHETICS

Throughout their history, TUDOR watches have been chosen by some of the boldest adventurers, like the 30 explorers who embarked on the two-year British North Greenland Expedition to study Arctic ice over 70 years ago, with TUDOR watches on their wrists.

Brand founder Hans Wilsdorf supplied watches for the members of the expedition. He had just created the first waterproof and self-winding TUDOR watch, the Oyster Prince model, and couldn't imagine a better environment for testing it than the extreme climate of the Arctic. The Black Bay Pro model reflects the heritage of those instruments used by the pioneering explorers. This is a tool-watch designed for professional use.

Whilst this model is part of the Black Bay line, it features many unique aesthetic details, starting with its winding crown, which was entirely redesigned for maximum grip. Reminiscent of the curves found on the crowns of the brand's historical technical watches, this component is set flush to the middle case band so that its tube is not visible.

Meanwhile, the applied hour markers on the dial are made from monobloc ceramic capped with luminous material, lending to the technical aesthetic of the watch. The bracelet clasp, with a TUDOR "T-fit" rapid size-adjustment system, completes the list of innovations included in this model. Easy to use, requiring no tools and offering five positions, the "T-fit" system allows the wearer to carry out a fine, instant adjustment of up to 8mm on the clasp.

"Throughout their history, TUDOR watches have been chosen by some of the boldest adventurers."

STEEL BRACELET OR JACQUARD-WOVEN OR LEATHER STRAP

The fabric strap is one of the hallmarks of TUDOR, which, in 2010, became one of the first watchmaking brands to offer it with its products. Woven in France using a traditional method on 19th century Jacquard looms by the Julien Faure company in the St-Etienne region, its manufacturing quality and comfort on the wrist are unique.

In 2020, TUDOR celebrated ten years of collaboration with the hundred-and-fiky-year-old Julien Faure company. The partnership began with the launch of Heritage Chrono, the first model fitted with a fabric strap created by the craksmen, at Baselworld 2010.

For the Black Bay Pro, TUDOR has selected a black strap with a yellow band woven by these traditional craksmen.

The model is also available with a stainless steel bracelet inspired by the folding riveted bracelets made by TUDOR in the 1950s and 1960s.

These were famous for having visible rivet heads on the side of the bracelet that held the links together. The links also had a distinct stepped construction. These two aesthetic details are found on the current bracelet, which also integrates modern manufacturing methods with solid links and laser- finished rivet-style heads. Finally, the Black Bay Pro is also available with a hybrid strap in black rubber and leather with a folding clasp.

THE MANUFACTURE CALIBRE MT5652

The Manufacture Calibre MT5652 with built- in GMT function was developed by TUDOR for the Black Bay Pro model. It illustrates the technical development process which is unique to TUDOR, drawing on adaptable architecture capable of including new functions into its manufactured movements rather than resorting to additional modules. A minor detail for some, but a must for watchmaking purists.

It has been designed to ensure robustness, longevity, reliability and precision, as has its variable inertia balance, which is maintained by a sturdy traversing bridge with a two-point fixation. Together with its non-magnetic silicon balance spring, the Manufacture Calibre MT5652 is certified as a chronometer by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), with its performance going beyond the standards set by this independent institute. In fact, where COSC allows an average variation in the daily running of a watch of between -4 and +6 seconds in relation to absolute time in a single movement, TUDOR insists on between -2 and +4 seconds’ variation in its running when it is completely assembled.

Another notable feature is that the power reserve of the Manufacture Calibre MT5652 is "weekend-proof", about 70 hours. This enables the wearer to take the watch off on a Friday evening and put it back on again on Monday morning without having to reset it.

"It has been designed to ensure robustness, longevity, reliability and precision, as has its variable inertia balance, which is maintained by a sturdy traversing bridge with a two- point fixation. "

THE ESSENCE OF BLACK BAY

The Black Bay line features dials inspired by the TUDOR divers’ watches produced during the 1950s. It borrows the characteristic angular hands known to collectors as "Snowflake" from models that appeared in the brand’s 1969 catalogue. Its unprotected crown and the characteristics of its case are reminiscent of the first generations of TUDOR divers' watches.

The Black Bay line is the result of the subtle blend of traditional aesthetics and contemporary watchmaking. Far from simply being an identical re-release of a classic, it brings together over sixty years of TUDOR divers' watches at the same time as being resolutely anchored in the present. Whilst it is neo-vintage in conception, its manufacturing techniques, reliability, robustness and the quality of its finish are consistent with today's more rigorous requirements.

THE TUDOR MANUFACTURE

Every TUDOR watch is assembled and fully tested to TUDOR’s superior standards at the new TUDOR Manufacture located in Le Locle, Switzerland.

This new state-of-the-art facility, bringing together the know- how of watchmakers with the best in production management and automated testing systems, was completed in 2021 aker three years of construction.

All decked out in TUDOR red, the Manufacture spans over four levels totalling 5,500 square meters and is physically and visually connected to the neighbouring Kenissi Manufacture, the TUDOR movement production facility founded in 2016. With Kenissi and a network of TUDOR-owned affiliates, the brand has been able to integrate the development and production of high- performance mechanical calibres. As a consequence, TUDOR now fully masters the manufacturing of strategic components and can guarantee their quality.