Baselworld 2019: First Look at the Tudor Black Bay 32/36/41 S&G

Tudor is having quite the Baselworld. The watch community is abuzz with talk of the Black Bay P01, which, to put it mildly, is divisive. Regardless of what you think of that watch, or what you think you think of that watch, let’s take a minute and clear our collective minds. As if they anticipated the strong reaction to the P01, Tudor has simultaneously announced what amounts to perhaps the ultimate wristwatch palate cleanser: updated smooth bezel Black Bays in Steel and Gold configurations. Rigorously simple and well designed, these watches are inoffensive, nostalgic, and well made. Let’s take a look (as long a look as you need) at Tudor’s newest basic Black Bays.

Tudor Black Bay 32/36/41 S&G

Case Material: Stainless steel, yellow gold bezel with satin finish
Dial: black/golden champagne
Dimensions: 32mm/36mm/41mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 150 meters
Crown: screw down
Movement: Self-winding mechanical movement, ETA 2824
Strap/bracelet: Steel and yellow gold bracelet, 5 links, polished and satin-brushed finish, with folding clasp and safety catch
Price: $3950-$4150
Expected release: May

You’ll recall that Tudor has been producing these simple Black Bays in various sizes for a few years now. Currently available in 32mm, 36mm, and 41mm sizes, this line of Black Bays have the water resistance and ruggedness of the flagship models with rotating bezels, but with smooth bezels and more compact sizing that will be more versatile for some. The end result is a tool watch that can be dressed up or down, in a size for anyone, and now with these two-tone options, something just a bit flashier for those who don’t want to fly so under the radar.

Each size has a black or champagne/golden dial option, and all watches in the series have a striking brushed gold bezel. I’m partial to the contrast of the gold bezel with the black dial (with those gilt accents) but could easily imagine a situation (probably outdoors, in the summer) where I’d reach for the max gold look of the champagne dial. Either way, the look here is casual but elegant, and greatly assisted by the five-link bracelet. It’s not officially a Jubilee bracelet, of course, but it looks the part, and conjures up memories of some classic Rolex references that Tudor clearly wants us thinking about as we consider these new Black Bays.

As a watch lover, I’m happy in equal measures that Tudor feels free to experiment with something as bonkers as the P01 (even if it’s not for me) while still producing simple tools like the Black Bay 32/36/41. The addition of gold gives these watches just the right amount of bling, but doesn’t compromise their simplicity or versatility to any great degree. Tudor