Tudor Black Bay 58 18K

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Tudor Black Bay 58 18K

Black Bay
58 18K
News

Matt gold
and “golden green” tones
La Cote des Montres - April 29th, 2024

 
 
Tudor introduces a bold version of its popular model, the Black Bay 58, in 18 ct yellow gold with an open case back, Manufacture Calibre and now a solid gold bracelet, complete with “T-fit” clasp.

 
The name Black Bay 58 18K is, of course, a reference to the precious metal of its case and bracelet, but also to 1958, the year in which the first Tudor divers’ watch waterproof to 200 metres (660 ft), reference 7924 or “Big Crown”, was introduced. The Black Bay 58 18K is also the first Tudor divers’ watch to be made in 18 ct solid yellow gold, offered with an open case back. And now it comes with a matching all satin-finished 18 ct yellow gold bracelet to boot.

 

Keys points
 

 
 

  1. 39mm case with satin finish in 18 ct yellow gold with an open case back
  2. Subtly domed matt “golden green” dial with applied hour markers in 18 ct yellow gold
  3. “Snowflake” hands, a hallmark of Tudor divers’ watches introduced in 1969, in 18 ct yellow gold, with Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminescent material
  4. Manufacture Calibre MT5400, certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) with a hairspring in silicon and a 70-hour power reserve
  5. 3-link 18 ct yellow gold bracelet with Tudor “T-fit” rapid adjustment clasp
  6. Five-year transferable guarantee, with no registration or periodic maintenance checks required

 

Matt gold
 

and “golden green” tones  
 

Entirely satin-finished for a matt effect, the 18 ct yellow gold case of the Black Bay 58 18K is another first for a Tudor divers’ watch. An open case back, which reveals the new Manufacture Calibre MT5400, has not been offered by the brand before for this type of product and reinforces the dual aesthetic language of this model. Midway between the legacy of a robust tool-watch that still defines Tudor and a precious object, the Black Bay 58 18K remains as rare as it is exclusive. The matt 18 ct yellow gold of the Black Bay 58 18K is emphasised by the combination of dial and bezel, which are a rich “golden green” in tone with matt gold details. The “Snowflake” hands are also in 18 ct yellow gold, as are the applied hour markers.

 

Solid gold
bracelet
 

 
 

Another first for a Tudor diving watch, the Black Bay 58 18K now comes with a solid gold 3-link bracelet featuring the Tudor “T-fit” clasp, an ingenuous system for rapid length adjustment. Easy to use, requiring no tools and offering five positions, this practical touch allows wearers to carry out a fine, instant adjustment of the total length of the bracelet along an adjustment window of 8mm. The clasp features ceramic ball bearings that ensure a smooth and secure closure in addition to adding a pleasing tactile element to the action of the clasp.

 

The manufacture
Calibre MT5400
 

 
 

The Manufacture Calibre MT5400, which powers the Black Bay 58 18K, displays hour, minute and second functions. It has the finish typical of Tudor Manufacture Calibres: its rotor in tungsten monobloc is openwork and satin-brushed with sand-blasted details, and its bridges and mainplate have alternate sand-blasted and polished surfaces and laser decorations.

 
The build of the Manufacture Calibre MT5400 is designed to ensure robustness and precision. To do this, the variable inertia balance wheel is maintained by a sturdy traversing bridge with two-point anchoring. It 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 rate of an uncased movement of between -4 and +6 seconds, TUDOR applies a 6-second (-2/+4) variation standard on its fully assembled watches with Manufacture Calibres.

 
Another notable feature is that the power reserve of the Manufacture Calibre MT5400 is “weekend-proof”; that is to say about 70 hours, which 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.

 

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 shoulderless 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 70 years of Tudor dive watches, whilst at the same time being resolutely anchored in the present. It is neo-vintage in conception, yet its manufacturing techniques, reliability, robustness and the quality of its finishes 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 the 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 after 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.

 

The Tudor guarantee
 

 
 

Since the brand’s creation by Hans Wilsdorf in 1926 and in line with his vision of the ideal timepiece, Tudor has been ceaselessly creating watches that are as robust, durable, reliable and precise as possible. On the strength of this experience, and confident in the superior quality of its watches, Tudor offers a five-year guarantee for all its products. This guarantee does not require the watch to be registered or submitted to periodic checks and is transferable. Tudor also recommends that its watches should be serviced approximately every ten years depending on the model and the extent of its use on a day-to-day basis.

 

Tudor
is “Born To Dare”
 

 
 

In 2017, Tudor launched a new campaign with the “Born To Dare” signature. It reflects both the history of the brand and what it stands for today. It tells the adventures of individuals who have achieved the extraordinary on land, on ice, in the air and underwater, with a Tudor watch on their wrists. It also refers to the vision of Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Tudor, who manufactured Tudor watches to withstand the most extreme conditions, watches made for the most daring lifestyles. It is testimony to Tudor’s singular approach to watchmaking, which has made it what it is today. At the cutting edge of the watchmaking industry, its innovations are now essential benchmarks. The Tudor “Born To Dare” spirit is supported throughout the world by first class ambassadors, whose achievements result directly from a daring approach to life.

 

About Tudor
 

“Born To Dare” 
 

Tudor is an award-winning Swiss-made watch brand, offering mechanical watches with sophisticated style, proven reliability and unmatched value for money. The origins of Tudor date back to 1926, when “The Tudor” was first registered as a brand on behalf of the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf. He officially set up the Montres Tudor SA company in 1946 to produce watches that respect the traditional Rolex philosophy of quality at a more affordable price point. Throughout their history, thanks to their robustness and affordability, Tudor watches have been chosen by some of the boldest adventurers, on land, in the air, underwater and on ice. Today, the Tudor collection includes iconic lines such as Black Bay, Pelagos, 1926 and Tudor Royal. Since 2015, Tudor has also offered models with mechanical Manufacture Calibres with multiple functions and superior performance.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Tudor
Black Bay
58 18K

Technical description

 
Case :18 ct yellow gold with satin finish throughout
Diameter :39 mm
Case back:Open with sapphire crystal
Bezel :60-minute unidirectional rotatable bezel in 18 ct yellow gold with matt green anodised aluminium insert
Crown :18 ct yellow gold screw-down winding crown with the Tudor rose in relief and circular satin-brushed 18 ct yellow gold winding crown tube
Dial : Matt green, domed, with 18 ct gold applied hour markers
Glass :Domed sapphire crystal
Water resistance : Waterproof to 200m (660 ft)
Movement :Manufacture Calibre MT5400
Self-winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system
Power reserve : Approximately 70 hours
Precision : Swiss Chronometer officially certified by the COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute)
Functions :Centre hour, minute and seconds hands
Stop-seconds for precise time setting
Frequency : 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz)
Variable inertia balance
Micro-adjustment by screw
Non-magnetic silicon balance spring
Diameter :30.3 mm
Thickness :5 mm
Jewels :27
Bracelet :3-link 18 ct yellow gold bracelet with satin finish throughout
Buckle :18 ct yellow gold “T-fit” clasp
Price :32,300 €
 
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