Baselworld, the biggest watch event of the year, is happening now at the Messe Basel in Basel, Switzerland. We’ve got a team on the ground there to bring you the most exciting releases. Follow our coverage here, and also be sure to check out Instagram. We’ll be posting to our feed throughout the week.
Price: $5,600 – $6,800
Availability: TDB
Movement & Winding: Manufacture calibre MT5813 (COSC)
Case Dimensions: 41mm
Power Reserve: ~70 hours
Quick Take: The Black Bay Chronograph proved to be a popular debut from Tudor at Baselworld 2017, with its classic Tudor/Rolex design cues (snowflake hands; steel tachymeter bezel) and its Tudor/Breitling collaboration movement. Tudor has now revealed the Black Bay Chrono S&G, a perhaps even more retro-inspired take on the polarizing two-tone (steel and gold) treatment.
Who It’s For: While aesthetically controversial, there is clearly a market for two-tone watches, and the Black Bay has received the treatment before to sufficient consumer approval to merit expanding it to other models. The look works well for the Black Bay Chrono and capitalizes on the general trend of enthusiasm for all that is retro. Tudor does it particularly well, too, and captures a certain essence of vintage watches that has not been replicated extensively elsewhere. The Black Bay Chrono S&G is capable of standing on its own, but as is the nature of Tudor’s relationship to Rolex, it will remain a more affordable alternative for many to the Rolex Daytona.
Key Features: The Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G has more “G” than many such two-tone watches — a gold bezel, crown and pushers as well as gold sub-dials are notable alongside the other various gold highlights. The black dial and aluminum bezel insert amount to quite different overall appearance from the 2017 all-steel version with its steel bezel. Measuring a highly wearable and welcome 41mm wide, the watch should look even better on the Tudor bund strap (one of the bracelet offerings), but the steel-and-gold bracelet completes the classic look. The chronometer-certified MT5813 automatic chronograph movement was developed jointly with Breitling and has a power reserve of around 70 hours. The Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G is available on a two-tone bracelet for $6,800 or on a choice of straps for $5,600.
