Black Bay

The Black Bay debuted at Baselworld in 2012 with reference 79220R, which went down in history as the "Heritage Black Bay" in its burgundy-bezel version. It is not a reissue of a single vintage watch, but a deliberate synthesis of elements taken from three distinct historic references of the Oyster Prince Submariner divers: the case shape of the 7922 (the first Tudor Submariner, 1954), the large crown of the "Big Crown" 7924 (1958) and the "snowflake" hands of the 7016 (1969). A 41 mm case, gilt dial, no date window — a deliberately "pure" design choice, going against the grain of most contemporary divers.

The first developments came quickly: the blue 79220B variant in 2014, and in 2015 a rare version with a black bezel and red triangle (79220N), produced for only about six months. 2016 was the year of the industrial breakthrough, with the switch to the in-house MT5602 calibre (70-hour power reserve) and the arrival of a 43 mm bronze case (79250BM) with a brown dial that develops a patina with use. Then came the Black Bay Steel (79730, 2017), with a steel bezel and date, and in 2018 the Black Bay GMT "Pepsi" (79830RB), the first Tudor with a GMT function.

Also in 2018 came the Black Bay Fifty-Eight (BB58), with a 39 mm case truer to the proportions of the 1958 Oyster Prince Submariner and the MT5402 movement: it quickly became one of the most popular models in the range for those looking for a more compact size. The following years brought ceramic versions certified as Master Chronometers (2021), precious-metal editions of the BB58 (bronze, 925 silver, 18-carat gold) and the 37 mm Black Bay 54 (2023), a direct tribute to the very first 1954 Oyster Prince Submariner. Today the Black Bay is the largest and most defining family in the Tudor catalogue.