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Tudor Pushes Horological Limits With Its New Black Bay
Tudor Pushes Horological Limits With Its New Black Bay
Aug, 2023
4 min read
The latest Black Bay with Master Chronometer certification boasts unmatched performance and magnetic resistance.
The new Tudor Black Bay with burgundy bezel will incite strong feelings of nostalgia. After all, its distinctive hue is the same one featured on the very first Black Bay watch
Tudor introduced back in 2012. While it is entirely understandable for watch lovers to be thrilled by the latest iteration of the much loved model, this updated version—the Reference 7941A1A0RU—is equipped with design and technical improvements that go beyond throwback allure.
Indeed, the Black Bay ‘Burgundy’ is a go-to model for Tudor’s most important milestones. Besides being a Black Bay debutant, the watch was also among the first to be equipped with Tudor’s in-house movement in 2016.
The latest Black Bay with Master Chronometer certification boasts unmatched performance and magnetic resistance.
Hailed by Tudor as a watch that heralds “the aesthetic and technical future of the line”, the latest Black Bay ‘Burgundy’ is the second model in the main collection to be certified a Master Chronometer. With this, the new model now belongs to an elite class of mechanical timepieces that offers exceptional performance, precision and resistance that surpass all other watches on the market today.
First launched in 2012, the Black Bay with burgundy bezel makes a return to the spotlight this year with superlative technical virtues.
Mechanical Supremacy
As the name suggests, a Master Chronometer brings top-level horological qualities to the table. The watch’s certification is issued by a government body known as METAS, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology, the country’s national metrology organisation.
Powered by Tudor’s in-house Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U, the new Black Bay ‘Burgundy’ underwent eight punishing tests to earn its Master Chronometer title. Put through the paces in simulations that cover areas of robustness, precision, waterproofness, anti-magnetism and power reserve, the watch, suffice to say, passed with flying colours.
Besides magnetic resistance of up to 15,000 gauss—a Master Chronometer hallmark—the Black Bay ‘Burgundy’ guarantees daily accuracy of 0/+5 seconds a day. To compare, the standard for watches certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) is -4/+6 a day, while Tudor’s own internal standard for its in-house Manufacture Calibres is -2/+4 seconds a day.
Endowed with unparalleled magnetic resistance and chronometric performance, the new Black Bay is also bolstered by a 70-hour power reserve and 200m waterproofness, making it a veritable workhorse. Coupled with Tudor’s five-year guarantee, the Black Bay ‘Burgundy’ adds longevity to its impressive list of performance attributes.
Before watches can be tested as Master Chronometers, they must conform with the criteria of being Swiss-made, and their movements certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
Black Bay Signatures
Like the Black Bay Ceramic from 2021, which was also a certified Master Chronometer, the Black Bay ‘Burgundy’ complements its mechanical prowess with design features that have captivated watch lovers since its introduction.
Collectors love the Black Bay for its retro dive watch appeal, and the new offering doesn’t disappoint. The watch’s combination of a burgundy ceramic bezel with a black dial is a big draw, especially for those who appreciate the Black Bay’s origin story. The same goes for the rest of its signature aesthetic highlights, such as a domed sapphire crystal case, and ‘Snowflake’ hands that recall those found on vintage Tudor dive watches.
At the same time, Tudor made subtle improvements so that the watch is even more pleasing to look at and comfortable to wear. The steel case is sized at 41mm and bears a slimmer profile, which takes after the original 2012 model. The crown, too, has been redesigned, flaunting curves that recall Tudor’s early technical watches, and set flush to the middle case band for a more streamlined appearance. Elsewhere, the seconds hand features a ‘lollipop’ motif that, like the ‘Snowflake’ hands, is a nod to Tudor’s early dive watches.
Weekend-proof with 70-hour power reserve, the watch can be taken off on a Friday evening and worn on Monday morning without having to be wound.
Given the watch’s vintage-inspired appearance, some watch fans, especially those new to the Black Bay, may be tempted to describe this creation as a blast from the past. True Tudor aficionados, however, will tell you that the newly minted Master Chronometer is really a glimpse into the brand’s future.
The new Black Bay with burgundy bezel is available with three- or five-link stainless steel bracelets with polished and satin finish, and rubber strap.
