Tudor’s newest edition to the Black Bay lineup is just what dive men’s luxury watch enthusiasts have been anticipating from this Rolex subsidiary. The Tudor Black Bay 58 Blue is the Black Bay product line’s first blue dial and bezel combination.
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Tudor’s history dates back to the 1920s and has become a watch synonymous with durability. It is no wonder that throughout the late 1970s and 1980s the Royal Canadian Navy issued Tudor watches to its servicemen.
Tudor first launched its popular Black Bay lineup back in 2012. The watches are reminiscent of diver watches from the 1950s and are refined with added edginess and modern appeal. The first lineup of Black Bays was larger than the newer 58 contemporaries, featuring a 41 mm diameter case.
The Black Bay 58 measures slightly slimmer with a 39 mm case diameter, making it an ideal men’s luxury watch for those with smaller wrists. The watch features white super-LumiNova hands and an in-house movement with closed case back. It also has an embossed Tudor rose screw-down crown and is water resistant up to 200 meters.
The Tudor Black Bay 58 (Model no. M79030B) pays tribute to Tudor’s 1958 diver model. So that explains the 58 branding and the sizing (12 mm thickness) that maintains the characteristics of that era.
Tudor men’s luxury watch: Plenty of power reserve
The Black Bay 58 Blue is the younger brother to the Black Bay 58 Black. That version first debuted at Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show back in 2018. It has since become the bestselling men’s luxury watch amongst the Black Bays.
Equipped with a power reserve of 70 hours, you can take off the watch on Friday afternoon and it will be good to go on Monday morning. You probably won’t want to, as the watch is good company for your midday adventures and evening soirées.
The men’s luxury watch comes in three strap options. The first is the riveted steel bracelet with a polished satin finish, folding clasp and safety catch. The second is blue soft-touch strap and the third is the blue fabric strap. All are stylish finishes depending on the look you’re going for.
It is worth mentioning that Tudor pays serious attention to enhancing the accessory experience of the aficionado sporting these watches. The production of its fabric straps is particularly noteworthy.
When Tudor first decided to get involved in the manufacture of fabric straps around the 1970s, Tudor took inspiration from the seatbelt systems of vintage sports cars.
The straps are manufactured by a passementerie (decorative trimmings such as tassels and fringing often found on military uniforms) company named Julien Faure. This company is one of the few workshops that still practices the “Jaquard” weaving technique. This is a dense weave with a high thread count, giving it a fullness in texture and appeal that people will certainly take note of.
If you’re considering entering the men’s luxury watch market in the diver segment or seeking to expand your collection, Tudor’s Black Bay 58 Blue will certainly add a big splash to your style.
Daron Halajian received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ryerson University. He has worked for American Express as a Travel and Lifestyle Consultant servicing elite clientele. He writes in both English and Armenian and his works have appeared in publications in Beirut, Los Angeles, Montreal and Toronto.