The Tudor Black Bay Dark – Tudor’s Modern Marvel

Many beguiling works of horological craftsmanship were unveiled at Baselworld 2016. In particular, Tudor showcased the latest edition of their Heritage Black Bay series, the Tudor Black Bay Dark, at this event. It possesses a distinct, matte black design and is a dive watch that brings with it all of Tudor’s rich heritage. 

Nowadays, many watch enthusiasts consider Tudor to be an underdog in the watchmaking industry. For years, Tudor has been overshadowed by Rolex, living with the stigma of being called a poor man’s Rolex. However, true horological connoisseurs and collectors know that Tudor timepieces are far more than that. Tudor has continually made marvellous and relatively economic timepiece that far exceed people’s expectations. What, then, of the Tudor Black Bay Dark? Is it just a poor man’s Rolex Submariner? Or is the Black Bay Dark a testament to Tudor’s image as an impressive watchmaker of its own? 

Without further ado, let’s unshroud the mystery of Tudor’s very own Black Bay Dark.

Reviewing the Tudor Black Bay Dark

Specifications

The Tudor Black Bay Dark has a case diameter of 41mm, excluding its crown. It is 14mm thick, which gives the watch a good amount of heft. Finally, it has a lug-to-lug measurement of 50mm. Compared to a Rolex Submariner, the Black Bay Dark is unquestionably the loftier timepiece. Those with wider wrists will appreciate the solid, substantial feel of the Black Bay Dark. Although this watch is on the larger side, the lug dimensions are more compact, with a lug-width of 22mm, so this particular edition of the Black Bay is still relatively easy to sport. 

PVD Stainless Steel Case

Black is arguably one of the most versatile colours in existence. It can go well with anything. The stunning PVD-coated case of the Tudor Black Bay Dark is no exception. The case itself is made from high-quality stainless steel. After the steel goes through a process of smooth bevelling and a satin finish is applied to give it a glossy, burnished surface, the watchmaker then applies a layer of PVD coating. Now, for those who aren’t so familiar with the term, you might be wondering, “what is PVD and what does it do?”

PVD, which stands for Physical Vapour Deposition, is a chemical process in which tiny vapour particles bind themselves to a surface. The coating usually comprises Titanium Nitride particles, which is what gives the surface of the steel its smooth matte black colouring. Watchmakers will apply PVD on a timepiece in order to bump up its resistance to corrosion and scratches while also providing the watch with a striking black allure.

The only downside to PVD coating is its long-term durability. Everything is subject to wear and tear, and the layer of PVD is no different. Over time, as the PVD coating ages, it starts to come off more easily after encountering severe hits and impacts. When this happens, the watch’s steel surface becomes exposed and is more vulnerable to scratches and other sorts of damage. As such, while the layer of PVD does make the Black Bay Dark’s case more durable and sturdy, you must still take good care of this watch — don’t go knocking it around as and when you like.

Moving back to the topic of the Black Bay Dark’s case, let’s now take a good look at its bezel. Fitted on top of the case is a black bezel made of anodised aluminium. The bezel features a 60-minute time scale marked in white and an inverted red triangle with a luminescent pearl at the 12 o’clock position. A marker is placed at every 5-minute interval of the scale, and the first 15 minutes are marked with minute indices. The splashes of white and red on this black bezel make for a striking contrast, adding to the Black Bay Dark’s aura of suaveness. The bezel rotates unidirectionally to prevent it from turning in reverse due to accidental pressures, and this allows divers to keep an accurate reading of their elapsed time underwater.

The Tudor Black Bay Dark also has a screw-down crown located on the right of the case. The most crucial benefit of having the knob screwed down is that it makes the timepiece, to a certain degree, waterproof. The crown is on the larger side, which makes it easy to grip and wind, even when you’re dressed in diving gear. Its considerable size is likely also the reason for the lack of crown guards in the Black Bay Dark. Located in the center of the crown is the beautiful engraving of a rose. Those who are fans of the brand will easily recognise this image as one of Tudor’s first logos.

Turning to the rear of the Tudor Black Bay Dark, a matte black screw-down caseback covers the inner mechanisms of the timepiece and provides greater protection from any sort of moisture. A closer look reveals the manufacturing label of the watch’s movement etched in a circle on the caseback. Some ridge-like protrusions encircle the top of the case back, such that it resembles a matte black bottle cap. Since the rear cover is screwed down, chances of water leaking into the timepiece are very minimal, so divers won’t have to worry about the movement being water-damaged while they are diving. 

Charcoal Dial

When it comes to the dial, the first thing that draws your attention is the geometric snowflake minute and hour hands. Let’s be honest here; it wouldn’t exactly be a Black Bay watch if it didn’t come with the famed snowflake hands. The distinctive snowflake shape of the hour hand ensures that even in dark sea depths, divers will not make the mistake of mixing up the minute and hour hands on this watch. Surrounding the black dial of the watch are white indices and markers that label the seconds, minutes, and hours of the jet-black timepiece. The dial is uncluttered and smooth, maintaining a clean and symmetrical design throughout. 

Much like the Rolex Submariner, shapes like circles, rectangles, and a triangle are used to mark hour intervals on the Tudor Black Bay Dark. The markers and hands have luminescence generously coated on them to provide better visibility in dark environments. Visually, the luminescent markers and hands stand out strongly against the charcoal-black dial and are thus extremely effective. Above the handset, we have Tudor’s signature and shield logo. Right below that is the water resistance rating, marked in red, and the COSC certification in white.

On the whole, the dial creates an attractive aesthetic that evokes a feeling of staring at the midnight sky. While the black-and-white colours complement each other, they also stand out wonderfully on their own. Many people adore this type of minimalistic colour combination, so it should come as no surprise that the Tudor Black Bay Dark’s dial is extremely appealing to the eye.

Dome-shaped Sapphire Glass

A domed sapphire crystal encloses the dial of the Black Bay Dark. As is often the case for luxury watches, sapphire is the preferred material due to its unrivalled scratch resistance. Since sapphire crystals are also highly reflective, Tudor has applied a sufficient amount of anti-reflective coating on the Black Bay Dark’s domed glasses to prevent wearers from experiencing distortion when viewing the watch. While sapphire is exceedingly scratch-resistant, it does not fare too well against hard impacts. Sapphire glass is also known to be rather expensive to replace. With that in mind, try not to swing your Tudor Black Bay Dark around too much because having the sapphire glass hit something would be one of the last things you’d want to happen. 

Automatic Movement

A year after its release, Tudor’s first in-house caliber, the MT5602, found itself a home inside the Black Bay Dark. The MT5602 is an automatic, self-winding movement equipped with a bidirectional rotor and variable inertia balance. It has a whopping power reserve of 70 hours and produces a beat frequency of 28,800 oscillations per hour. The oscillator uses a silicon hairspring which functions just as well as its iron-nickel counterparts but is more resistant to temperature changes, shocks, and magnetism. The high-performing MT5602 caliber was able to achieve COSC certification for its accuracy and durability. As a result, the dial bears the mark of being “Chronometer Officially Certified.” The movement displays an accuracy rating of -4/6+ seconds a day which is quite precise. Twenty-five jewels hold the caliber to keep it from experiencing too much friction. 

Before the MT5602’s release, Tudor used to supply their Black Bay watches with movements from the Swiss movement manufacturer ETA SA. As many watch enthusiasts know, ETA is known to make solid and reliable calibers that can be heavily modified. Now that Tudor has its own modern movement, however, they no longer have to rely on ETA movements to power their watches. As the MT5602 established its position as Tudor’s very own mechanical movement, the Black Bay and other Tudor Collections started using this in-house caliber to operate their timepieces.  

Dark-Toned Bracelets

Tudor offers owners of the Black Bay Dark timepiece a selection of two different dark-toned straps. The first strap is an edgier, black PVD-coated steel bracelet. Usually the go-to choice, the PVD bracelet is a perfect match to the Black Bay Dark. It gives the watch a uniform and professional style, completing the Black Bay Dark’s stark and monochromatic look.

The second variant is a strap made of dark grey fabric. Fabric straps have become a staple of Tudor tradition. The fabric used for the strap goes through a delicate process called Jacquard weaving. Producing the thread with this method ensures a high-density thread count, guaranteeing a robust yet flexible strap. What makes these straps unique is how snugly they lay on the wrist and their surprisingly good looks. Aside from being the most comfortable option, it also pairs well with the timepiece.

It’s hard to go wrong with either of these options. Each of them has a distinct style that is incorporated nicely into the Tudor Black Bay Dark once attached.

Water Resistance

Most watches around the price range of the Tudor Black Bay Dark usually only come with around 150 metres of water resistance. This watch, however, offers a water resistance of 200 metres, or 660 feet. By taking it 50 metres deeper, this dark Tudor timepiece breaks the limits that many other watches in the market can’t.

Is the 50 metres difference a big deal? Most certainly. To put things into perspective, 50 metres is equivalent to 164 feet. The Black Bay Dark can be brought into the shower and can take a dip in the swimming pool. With approximately 200 metres of water resistance, this watch can even handle activities such as snorkelling and recreational scuba diving. Of course, anything greater than 200m/660ft is a no-go. If you are searching for a dressy watch that can traverse deeper depths, have a look at Tudor’s Pelagos Collection.

Alternatives to the Tudor Black Bay Dark 

Some are not a fan of all-black timepieces and maybe you’re one of them. If that’s the case, here are some alternatives that not only offer a similar experience as the Tudor Black Bay Dark but also come with a comparable price tag.

Tudor Pelagos (M25600TN-0001)

Again, if you’re trying to find a nice-looking timepiece that can go with you through deeper waters, look no further than the Tudor’s Pelagos collection. In particular, we recommend the Pelagos 25600TN-0001. It has a water resistance of 500m/1640ft, which is significantly higher than the water resistance that the Tudor Black Bay Dark offers. This Pelagos is gorgeous and comes with its own set of outstanding Tudor qualities.

The movement that runs the dial is another in-house caliber known as the MT6512. Unlike the MT6502, which Tudor created on their own, Tudor received help in developing the MT6512. Who helped them, you ask? Well, the answer is none other than Tudor’s big brother Rolex. Considering Rolex’s experience and longevity in the watchmaking game, asking for help was an obvious choice. Just like the MT6502, the MT6512 is an automatic movement that features a bidirectional rotor and a variable inertia balance. Both calibers produce the same outcome and are COSC certified. The main difference between the two is that the MT6512 offers a date function, while the MT6502 does not. A lack of that feature is evident when considering the absence of a date aperture on the Tudor Black Bay Dark.

The Pelagos 25600TN-0001 is made from satin-finished, high-grade titanium. The stylish bevelling of the steel and its earthy lustre allow this marvellous Pelagos to exude charisma and class. The lugs are slim and don’t protrude too much. A unidirectional matte black bezel made of ceramic lays on top of the titanium casing. Having a ceramic bezel ensures that no scratches will interfere with the cleanliness of the bezel surface. However, ceramic, like sapphire, is brittle and could crack or shatter after being struck by a heavy impact, so it’s important to keep the face of this watch as safe as possible. On the right of the timepiece is a guarded crown that bears the mark of Tudor’s iconic shield. It is not as big as the sizable crown of the Black Bay Dark but it still provides a good grip and ease in winding.

Last and certainly not least, we come to the black and white dial of the Pelagos 25600TN-0001. Compared to the Black Bay Dark, this Pelagos is more evenly two-toned. Hour markers take the form of luminescent squares, rectangles, and a triangle to represent the time. At the 3 o’clock position of the dial is a date aperture, which takes the spot of the 3rd-hour marker. Below the handset, we have the COSC certification, movement specs, and water resistance noted down in white. Tudor protects the dial with a domed sapphire crystal — the most durable option. The watch uses a titanium bracelet with a folding clasp and extension system to keep the watch secure around your wrist. If you’re not so fond of the titanium bracelet, the Pelagos also comes with a complimentary black rubber strap.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean “Sochi 2014” Limited Edition

How about a white-on-white dive watch? In contrast to the Black Bay Dark, this Omega timepiece is bright from top to bottom. You probably won’t find another wristwatch that looks and performs like this limited edition of the Planet Ocean. This Seamaster Planet Ocean can traverse dark waters up to a whopping 600 metres or 2,000 feet. Such depths are where saturation diving occurs and is uncrossable territory for many other tried and tested diver watches. 

The Planet Ocean Seamaster uses Omega’s in-house mechanical movement, the Omega Caliber 8520. The Caliber 8520 features a co-axial escapement and a free-sprung balance system for better accuracy, durability, and stability. It is capable of producing 25,200 beats per hour and can last up to 50 hours. Twenty-eight jewels and a Nivachoc shock system keep the automatic mechanisms from being subject to excess wear and tear. Fixed inside with the movement is a specialised escape valve to decompress helium out of the watch, allowing the Sochi 2014 Planet Ocean to accompany divers through lengthy operations underwater.

Omega made the case of this limited Seamaster with hard steel. The casing is bevelled to form a narrow slope, making the lugs appear slim and sharp. Inserted on top is a white ceramic bezel with an inverted white triangle at the 12 o’clock position that holds a luminescent node. The time scale of the bezel makes use of indices, markers, and whole numbers to track time. Behind the watch is a screw-down rear case to protect the movement from all sorts of leaks and possible moisture damage. On the sides are screwed-in crowns, which prevent water from entering through the winding mechanism. The watch is 37.5mm in case diameter, a tad smaller than the Black Bay Dark by 4mm.

The pearly-white dial of the Planet Ocean is nothing short of beguiling. Though most of the dial’s components are white, tiny black indices and outlines make every part of the watch face legible. The 6th and 9th hours have Arabic numbers coated in red and blue, respectively. The number 12 stays in the colour white along with everything on the dial’s surface. Aside from the numbers, the other remaining hours have square and triangle markers to represent them. Perched on the right side of the dial is a date window near the 3rd-hour marker. Omega lumed the arrow hands and shapes to give off brightness in dark areas, giving the white Planet timepiece a lovely shine in the dark. Sapphire glass closes the dial off from the outside and keeps it safe and sound. Omega provides wearers of the limited Planet Ocean a white leather strap to complete the timepiece’s pure design.

These wristwatches are fantastic alternatives that are just as unique as the distinguished Tudor Black Bay Dark timepiece. 

Final Thoughts

Without a doubt, Tudor truly outdid themselves when making the Dark edition of their Black Bay series. Its two-toned design brings the mixture of black and white to a whole new level of style and sophistication. There aren’t many watches that can look as sleek and as versatile as the Black Bay Dark. A dive watch that looks this handsome can accompany you to all sorts of events and activities. With its dark and distinct aesthetic and its contemporary movement, you’re more or less wearing a modern work of art. It is an outstanding luxury and a magnificent inclusion to the Black Bay family.

Still not sure what Tudor watch is the right fit for you? Have a look at The Best Tudor Watches available.

Featured Photo by Your Trust Time