For most of its history, Tudor stood in the shadow of sibling super-brand Rolex.
Even the name was decidedly non-Swiss – being chosen to honour the Tudor period of England and thus adopting a Tudor rose, and later a shield, as its emblem.
Tudor was positioned as mainstream, more affordable alternative to Rolex: relatively safe and often pedestrian designs, off-the-shelf movements, nothing to catch the eye. The wallflower of watches.
That all changed in 2012 with the debut of the Tudor Heritage Black Bay: something, everything, about this dressy diver’s watch made it a modern classic in the eyes of enthusiasts.
Over subsequent years Tudor has steadily expanded the Black Bay family, resulting in the latest Black Bay Dark iteration.
The Dark is aptly named: it’s not just about the black case, black band and mostly black face, it’s how the entire watch comes together as a handsome piece of stealthwork.
The monochrome fascia gains punch from white hour and minute markers, ‘snowflake’ hands and bezel markings, with splashes of red atop the bezel at 12...
... and denoting the Dark’s dive-cred 200 metre depth rating.
Physical vapour deposition (PVD) technology – using a ‘thin film’ process first developed for NASA space programs – bonds a layer of black to the mid-sized 41mm stainless steel case while still letting the brushed satin finish show through for a stylish yet low-sheen finish.
This midnight make-over extends to the PVD-blackened steel bracelet, although you can also opt for an aged leather strap.
... in both cases you also get a woven NATO-style fabric strap with matte black PVD-treated buckle.
The hallmark Tudor rose is subtly branded onto the prominent finger-friendly winding crown.
Powered by Tudor’s own in-house movement, the 70 hour power reserve puts almost three solid days (and nights) up your sleeve.
Chosen the Dark as your weekday watch? You can take it off on Friday evening and slip it back on Monday without having to wind it up or reset the time.
Ironically for a ‘stealth’ watch the Black Bay Dark is an attention-getter. The somewhat ‘vintage’ look of Tudor’s design aesthetic is sharp, cool and full of dramatic character.
The more your dress code leans towards dark jackets and shirts, the better the Black Bay Dark will look on your wrist.
The details
- 41mm case
- 70 hour power reserve
- Water resistant to 200 metres
- Black Bay Dark with leather strap: $4,950
- Black Bay Dark with steel bracelet: $5,300
- For stockists, visit www.tudorwatch.com
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
04 Jan 2014
Total posts 40
Very clear and easy to read watch with a very Rolex type face. I use the Rolex submariner Blue, which is also an easy to read watch, though a little more expensive.
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