Tudor returned to watch-industry headlines recently, for good reason, with the unveiling of the latest addition to its popular, “mid-sized” Black Bay 58 collection, the Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze, which offers not only the namesake bronze case but also the option to wear it on a solid bronze, Oyster-style bracelet.
Featuring the aesthetics of previous Black Bay Bronze models, particularly the 43-mm original launched in 2016, the new watch is distinguished foremost by its updated 39-mm case diameter and its novel metal bracelet. It also joins another bronze-cased addition to the Black Bay family unveiled earlier this year, the Tourneau-exclusive Bay Bronze Bucherer Blue, indicating that Tudor still sees plenty of play with bronze as a case material for some time to come.
The 39-mm bronze case, which settles comfortably on the wrist at 11.9 mm in height, is fully executed in the downsized Fifty-Eight style which since its launch in 2018 has become a fan favorite. Undoubtedly, the watch will strike a chord with Tudor fans who appreciate the bronze colorway but have previously been put off by the flagship Black Bay’s larger sizing. The case features the standard Black Bay elements, including a proportionally large crown, brushed finishing, and a unidirectional bezel with a reddish-brown, anodized aluminum dive-scale insert.
The 200-meter water resistant watch is secured to the wrist by a matching bronze bracelet fitted with the Tudor “T-fit” rapid adjustment system, which allows the wearer to adjust the clasp in five positions, across 8 mm, with no additional tools necessary. This quick adjustment feature has been one of the most lauded aspects of Tudor’s recent releases, and one many fans of the brand surely hope the company will eventually make standard in its Oyster-style bracelets.
A domed sapphire crystal covers a straightforward dial in a rich, reddish-brown color that matches the tones of the bezel insert. Here, a printed minute ring outlines the surface; applied, lume-filled markers appear at each hour, including the Black Bay’s signature 3, 6, and 9 Arabic numerals. A pair of Tudor-signature “Snowflake” style hands sweep over the face, and technical descriptors at the 6 o’clock position balance out the Tudor shield logo at 12 o’clock.
Behind a bronze colored PVD-coated steel caseback resides the Tudor Caliber MT5400. One of the best options the brand has to offer, the movement comes complete with a COSC chronometer rating, a frequency of 28,800 vph, and a power reserve of 70 hours. Interestingly, Tudor opted against implementing the even higher-grade Caliber MT5602-1U, with its METAS Master Chronometer rating, which debuted in May of this year in the Black Bay Ceramic. The decision to eschew that major new development in this model could mean that Tudor is likely to implement the Master Chronometer caliber only in its most luxurious pieces going forward.
The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze is available now, via Tudor and its authorized boutiques, on a non-limited basis, priced at $4,525 (which includes both the bronze bracelet and an additional complementary textile strap).
To learn more, visit Tudor, here.
Most disappointing to hear that it is impossible to purchase a black bay 58 bronze from anywhere in New Zealand.
Not even ordering it from the boutique store in Melbourne. AUSTRALIA.
The only way of getting one is having to fly there and back during this uncertainty of Covid 19. Apparently NZ market not big enough.
Nick.