Tudor Black Bay Dark, c. 2016–2017

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

As a brand, Tudor needs no introduction. Although for years the company had labored under Rolex’s shadow, since its relaunch in the U.S. roughly a decade ago, it has attained an identity all its own. Part of the appeal lies in watches like this one, the Black Bay, which bridges the gap between vintage and contemporary in a way that’s hard to argue with — even for purists like us. The Black Bay is, along with the Pelagos, the brand’s take on classic Rolex and Tudor dive watches. In creating it, Tudor started at the very beginning of Tudor and Rolex dive watch history: It incorporates the “big crown” of the first reference of Tudor Sub, the Reference 7922, which had an 8mm crown like its Rolex counterpart. For the hands, the Black Bay makes use of the same handset as the most famous of vintage Tudor Subs, the Reference 7021 “Snowflake.” This particular Black Bay is a Black Bay Dark, a further extension of Tudor's riff on its classic models. Instead of finished steel, the Oyster case is coated in PVD with a matching black dial and PVD-treated steel bracelet. Dating to circa 2016-2017, it measures 41mm and features a PVD-coated, signed crown, a unidirectional PVD bezel with a black insert and a red triangle, a domed, sapphire crystal, and a luminous black dial with a matching ‘snowflake’ handset and applied indices. Powered by the Tudor MT5602 automatic, chronometer-certified movement, it comes paired to a grey Tudor woven strap with a signed, PVD pin buckle, and also includes a signed, distressed black leather strap with a signed PVD deployant clasp. If you’re in the market for a stealthy, reliable dive watch, look no further — this is the watch to own!