Jamie Weiss
It’s safe to say that many watch enthusiasts have a real love/hate relationship with Tudor (and its larger brother Rolex). On the other hand, they criticize both of these brands as being extremely conservative when it comes to introducing new products, lament the fact that “everything they do” and remember adjusting different dial collars and subtree to existing watches. Suitable Case: The new white dial Black Bay Pro released this year with Watches and Mysteries. My feelings on earth are that, like the Pelagos Ultra, many people are hyped about this new dial colour than the actual new Tudor model. The fans are a whimsical lot, but I’m off track…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4thg3cktrzu
It feels a bit self-righteous that Tudor predicted that he would actually release Black Bay Pro with a white dial this year. I also predicted that this watch would be subtle differences from the original Black Dial Black Bay Pro, which was released in 2022. Because it’s worth making that point. This new BB Pro variant is more than just a palette swap, even if it’s a small change exercise. But what are they, and how do these two Tudors stack up on each other?
Common Ground
To be clear, the two Black Bay Pro variants are functionally identical. They share the same case, same movement, same power reserve and same strap options. For those who need review, it measures at a diameter of 39mm and a controversial height of 14.6mm. It is equipped with an internal (Kenishi production) of COSC certified, MT5652 True GMT movement, COSC certified, and MT5652 with a 70-hour power reserve. Comes with three choices of wrist fasteners. This bracelet comes with a jack-shaped NATO strap, hybrid leather/rubber strap, and a faux rib clasp.
In fact, Tudor did not decide to pursue Master Chronometer certification for the BB Pro when it appears to be a certification that it will pursue for all watches in the future. So, if polarity is meta-certified while the OG BB Pro is “just” COSC, and if consumers might discourage them from choosing the latter, aside from aesthetic considerations…it would have been good to see the BB Pro receive that upgrade.
That being said, I know this is completely anecdote, but my BB Pro basically maintains better times than any other watch I’ve ever owned. When we’re bored at Melbourne Discovery Studios, we sometimes put our personal watches in the Timegrapher to see who has the most accurate watch. Every time we do it, I’m pleased that my BB Pro measured powerful -0.1 sec/day in multiple different positions on multiple different occasions. And I don’t make my watch or anything like that into a baby. It’s exactly the opposite. Maybe I was lucky with a very well-tuned example, but all of this means that a COSC certified chronometer is accurate enough.
Where each one is far apart
The Black Bay Pro design is a bit of pastiche. The original black dial model is a homage to the original Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 was first released in 1971 and is called both “Frescione” (or “Big Arrow”) and “Steve McQueen” despite the fact that famous actors did not publicly wear this watch. ref. The 1655 features a distinctive Rolex dial and handset configuration in addition to a relatively flat fixed steel bezel.
Black Bay Pro gets a portion of the design queue from the bibliography. In 1655, they melt in the general aesthetics of Tudor Black Bay. Throw away the crown guard and cyclops lenses, taking advantage of Tudor’s distinctive snowflake hands and circular room plots. In comparison, the New Black Bay Pro Polar is more similar to the Explorer II design introduced in REF. It is popularized by 16550 (production from 1985 to 1988) and references. 16570 (1989 – 2010). This is the design that is most commonly associated with today’s Explorer II. That is, it’s a white dial with a filled Lume plot.
In fact, it is one of the major differences between the BB Pro boot model and polarity. OG uses bright ceramic blocks for its indicators, but poles use plots filled with traditional Lume. Additionally, the OG index, hand and date windows have an aging off-white look, but the poles are cleaner, thin white. Another difference: OG has a yellow GMT hand (inducing a cancelled Tudor North flag), while Polar has an orange GMT hand. 1655 and current Explorer II model, Ref. 226570. OG also emphasizes the water resistance rating in the yellow text, with the pole not highlighting it at all.
The biggest difference between the two dials is the texture. If you have the OG BB Pro matte finish, Polar has a rather pronounced opaline effect. It’s very appealing, but it’s also a departure from the aesthetics of the existing Rolex Explorer II Polar.
Verdict, my pick
This may be thought to be a lot of waffles for the new dial colour, but I hope you are confident that the new Black Bay Polar is more than the original Yin Yang. Both models pay homage to the different eras of the Rolex Explorer II, with the OG being a much more retro revival, and the Polar being presented as a much more modern look watch. Which one would you choose? Well, I already own the original black dial model, but if Polar was available when I bought the BB Pro in 2022, I might have ended up being white. It’s a little more impressive than black – however, I think black is slightly technically interesting, thanks to its block ceramic room index. Or maybe it’s just a deal.
In fact, in a sense, the Black Dial BB Pro’s biggest rival within the Tudor range is the Pelagos FXD GMT Zulu Time. It aesthetically hits some of the same faux leather notes with a matte black dial and off-white index, but boasts a titanium case, meta certified version and a meta-type version of the same mobile GMT Basel. Yes, it’s a completely different watch, but I think it’s a rather compelling rival, but the BB Pro Polar is far apart as a more unique product. Food for thought.
Tudor Black Bay Pro Pricing and Availability
Tudor Black Bay Pro features either white or black dials and is available from all Tudor retailers. Price: $6,060 (fabric or hybrid strap), $6,540 (bracelet)
Brand Tudor Model Black Bay Pro Reference M79470 Case Dimensions 39mm(d) x 14.6mm
