Celebrating a travelling era: Introducing the new TUDOR Black Bay 58 GMT
Celebrating a travelling era: Introducing the new TUDOR Black Bay 58 GMT
Celebrating a travelling era: Introducing the new TUDOR Black Bay 58 GMT
TUDOR is introducing an additional model to its iconic Black Bay line, the Black Bay 58 GMT. This entirely new model is evocative of an era when the novelty of jet-setting across time zones was matched by glamorous style.
It is fitted with TUDOR's new mid-size GMT Manufacture Calibre paired with warm hues of burgundy, black, and gilt on the bezel. The universally appealing case of the Black Bay 58 has become the model's calling card, and now it comes in GMT form.
The Black Bay 58 is named after the year in which the first TUDOR divers' watch waterproof to 200 metres, the reference 7924, dubbed the "Big Crown", was introduced. Among other aesthetic allusions to this famous historic watch, this model has a 39mm diameter case, in keeping with the characteristic proportions of the 1950s. The watch is the perfect match for a GMT function, and with the Black Bay 59 GMT, the jet-setter's ultimate function comes with a touch of mid-century elegance.
The bezel is burgundy and black with a gilt 24-hour scale, keeping with the general design language of the Black Bay line. The design is reminiscent of a time when TUDOR divers' watches were the first being made and jet planes were moving through time zones and delivering interlopers to destinations they could only dream of, faster than ever before. Finishing gilt touches have been applied to the hour markers, hands and hour markers of the bicolour bezel. Another fan-favourite touch that remains on the Black Bay 58 GMT is the winding crown, which bears the TUDOR rose logo in relief.
TUDOR Quality
With the introduction of this brand-new Black Bay 58 GMT, TUDOR has successfully yet another model for tests to obtain Master Chronometer certification. This is part of a constant bid to improve the quality of its products and another step towards a future where the entire TUDOR collection will be Master Chronometer certified. This certification, offered by a Swiss government body, METAS, requires a substantial number of changes to a regular TUDOR Manufacture Calibre and comes as an independent confirmation of the exceptional quality of the TUDOR watches.
The GMT Manufacture Calibre MT5450-U
The Manufacture Calibre MT5450-U, which powers the Black Bay 58 GMT illustrates the technical development process signature of TUDOR, drawing on adaptable movement architecture capable of integrating new functions rather than resorting to additional modules. A minor detail for some, but a must for watchmaking purists.
Displaying hour, minute, seconds and GMT functions, it offers the general look and feel of TUDOR Manufacture Calibres with dedicated sun laser design and bears the Master Chronometer mention on its bridges, emphasising its distinctive performance.
The build of the Manufacture Calibre MT5450-U 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 face, where COSC allows an average variation in the daily rate of an uncased movement of between -4 and +6 seconds and TUDOR applies a 6-second (-2/+4) variation standards on its fully assembled watches, METAS requires a Master Chronometer certified watch to run within a tolerance range of 5 seconds (0/+5). Not only is the Manufacture Calibre MT5450-U certified to be more accurate, it is also rated as anti-magnetic, making it impervious to magnetic fields below 15,000 gauss.
"Rivet-Style" Bracelet or Rubber Strap
The "rivet-style" 3-link bracelet of the TUDOR Black Bay 58 GMT model visually refers to the riveted bracelets used by TUDOR in the 1950s and 1960s. These were famous for having river heads visible on the side of the links, and also had a distinct stepped design, where every link - starting from the clasp - was slightly larger than the previous one. These two aesthetic elements appear on today's version, which combines modern manufacturing methods with solid links and "rivets" with laser-finished heads.
A cut-to-size rubber strap option is also available for the Black Bay 58 GMT. Available in three sizes, on the inside it features the TUDOR signature snowflake motif for added grip, and is form-fitted specifically for this model.
TUDOR Watches at Brufords
At Brufords, we are proud to be an Official TUDOR Retailer. Visit us online or in-store at The Beacon, Eastbourne where our dedicated team of TUDOR experts are on hand to help you choose a TUDOR watch to last a lifetime.
