Tudor just released the Black Bay Ceramic, turning a bold new page in the watchmaker’s already vibrant history.
Related: Three years on the wrist: The Tudor Black Bay Steel and Gold
Canada’s best luxury website: Tudor’s Master Chronometer certification
The blacked-out diver reaches new heights and highlights a new era for Tudor. This particular model is the first to be submitted to METAS (Federal Institute of Metrology) and receive Master Chronometer certification.
What does this mean? Well, for starters the certification requires a substantial number of changes to Tudor’s Manufacture Calibre. That means Tudor will be able to offer accreditation from an independent body confirming the exceptional quality of its watches.
In order to qualify for the certification, a watch must be able to function within a 5-second range of variation each day (0+5). That means 5 seconds less than COSC’s (Swiss official Chronometer Testing Institute) (-4+6) and a second less than Tudor’s internal standard, which is applied to the brand’s models with a Manufacture Calibre (-2+4).
Matt black ceramic case
This revered certification also guarantees the timekeeping accuracy of a watch subjected to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. That’s the strength of a coin-sized magnet that can lift more than 9 KG, to give a better idea.
The matt black ceramic case of this watch is 41 mm in diameter. The hour hand stays true to the hallmark of Tudor diving watches with its snowflake motif fitted with grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova.
The black satin-finished rotatable bezel insert is engraved with graduations also done in matt black. The hour markers of the domed sapphire crystal dial are of an off-white phosphorescent material. The screw down crown with the Tudor rose relief stays true to the brand’s original image.
70-hour power reserve
The Black Bay Ceramic adheres to the ISO’s (International Organization for Standardization) waterproof to 200 benchmark. It’s weekend-proof with a 70-hour power reserve. So you can take it off for the weekend and swing it on Monday morning and kickstart your week.
Hybrid leather or rubber strap options
Tudor is offering this watch in two strap options. There’s a hybrid leather or rubber strap with snowflake motif on the inside of the folding clasp and a complimentary black fabric strap with cream band. It is worth noting that as of late Tudor has not been providing complimentary fabric straps with its previous releases. The Tudor fabric straps also have their own rich and unique history.
In terms of quality, Tudor has once again proved to be the forerunner of the diver/tool watch category of its class. With the overall appearance of this watch, I feel as though Tudor could have gotten more creative with the colors and presented something more eye-catching and unique.
For a couple thousand dollars less, Tag Heuer has kept people on their toes with the vibrant color combinations it has presented its Aquaracer in. I’d like to see Tudor experiment with color a little more, while continuing to stay true to its devout commitment to producing dive watches of superior quality.
Tudor offers a 5-year transferable guarantee with no registration or periodic maintenance checks required for this piece. It is selling for approximately $6,000 CAD.
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.
