Tudor Black Bay 54

Quick specs Tudor Black Bay 54
Price:
Bracelet: € 3.800 | CHF 3’650 | $ 3,850 | £ 3,200
Rubber strap: € 3.600 | CHF 3’450 | $ 3,625 | £ 3,030
Size: 37 mm
Reference: M79000N-0001 (bracelet) / M79000N-0002 (rubber strap)

In 1954 Tudor launches its first diver and to commemorate that moment, the brand releases this Tudor Black Bay 54, referring to the year 1954. It is a fully revised diver’s watch with vintage looks taken from the 1954 Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner with reference 7922. Which is a highly sought model these days.

You might know that Tudor was founded by Rolex to produce watches that would be more affordable than a Rolex. In 1926 the brand name was registered and in 1946 the company Montres Tudor SA was founded by Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex. Rolex starts production of the Oyster Perptual Submariner (reference 6204) in 1953, a year later Tudor releases their model with almost the same looks. And with the same name… But most important, with the same water resistance of 10 ATM, 100 meters or 330 feet.

The Tudor Black Bay 54 is very close to the first model

The 1954 Tudor Submariner has a diameter of 37 millimeter with a big crown, and that’s what you will find on the new one as well. Both have the same black dial and almost the same design for the hands and markers. Only the vintage model has a Mercedes-style hour hand, the new model has a snowflake-style hour hand, a signature for Tudor.

In contrast with the original version, the new Tudor Black Bay 54 has a water resistance of 200 meter / 660 feet. Inside is Tudor’s caliber MT5400, an automatic which provides a power reserve of 70 hours. The Tudor Black Bay 54 comes in two versions: one with a steel bracelet (reference M79000N-0001) and one with a rubber strap (reference M79000N-0002). Both are fairly priced given the amount of history and quality you will get.