The Tudor Black Bay Chronograph has always been unafraid to take visual risks. When Tudor first unveiled it back in 2017, some enthusiasts within the watch community criticized the styling or considered the case too bulky. Eyebrows were raised even further in 2019 when it introduced a bold steel and gold variant at a time when two-tone designs were few and far between. Tudor, it seems, embraced this. And now, the brand has a new version of the Black Bay Chronograph S&G, this time with a striking gold dial and black registers.
Brand: Tudor
Model: Black Bay Chronograph S&G
Dimensions: 41mm
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Case Material: 316L stainless steel and yellow gold, fixed yellow gold bezel with anodized aluminum disc
Movement: “Manufacture” Calibre MT5813, self-winding mechanical chronograph
Strap/Bracelet: Riveted 316L steel and yellow gold bracelet, dark brown leather strap with removable bund, black fabric strap
Price: 5,700 CHF on leather/fabric strap, 6,900 CHF on steel and yellow gold bracelet
This new version is essentially a reverse dial variant of the first Black Bay Chronograph S&G from 2019. That version had a black dial and gold registers. The basic ingredients of this watch are the same, but given new context with rebalanced colors.
The case remains 41mm large and is made from 316L stainless steel and yellow gold. The fixed bezel is yellow gold and has a matte black anodized aluminum insert with gold-plated markings. The crown and chronograph pushers are all yellow gold. Water-resistance is unchanged at 200 meters.
Tudor calls the dial sunray satin-finish champagne with contrasting black registers. The contrast is certainly striking and legibility shouldn’t be an issue. However, one gets the feeling that the bright gold dial might be too much for some folks.
The movement within is the irreproachable Calibre MT5813, which shares many of its components with the Breitling B-01. Developed in partnership with movement manufacturing specialist Kenissi, Tudor itself added a silicon balance spring and free-sprung adjustable mass balance. Crucially, it’s a high-end integrated chronograph movement with a column wheel and vertical clutch. The beat rate is 4Hz and the power reserve is 70 hours.
Strap options include a rivet-style steel and yellow gold bracelet, a dark brown leather strap with a removable “bund,” or a black fabric strap.
Objectively speaking, like so many of Tudor’s watches, this is a well-constructed, high-end automatic chronograph that you can easily wear every day. And if you like gold and/or champagne, then this is perfect for you. The Tudor Black Bay Chronograph S&G is priced at 5,700 CHF on the leather and fabric strap, and 6,900 CHF on the steel and yellow gold bracelet. For more information, visit Tudor’s website.