Banish doubts and depression with the Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition

I’m a big fan of the Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono “Cycling Edition”, but what about the Black Bay Chrono? There aren’t that many. Neither the black and white version nor the steel and gold model really clicked with me. And the pink version? Well, once I saw this watch on my wrist in Geneva, it reminded me of my favorite chronograph with the same color dial, the Zenith Chronomaster Sport Pink. I really liked it, but it wasn’t love at first sight either. You can imagine I was skeptical when the Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition was assigned to me.

My colleague Nacho already introduced the Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition when it debuted not too long ago, so I won’t go into the technical specs of this watch. The hard facts are in his story and in the specs section below. However, before I write about my experience with this watch, I would like to share some important points. Decorated in “Tudor Blue”, this automatic chronograph features a 41 mm stainless steel case with a lug-to-lug length of 49.8 mm and a thickness of 14.4 mm, including a domed sapphire crystal. The watch we received at our headquarters weighs 174 grams and is powered by the COSC-certified caliber MT5813 inside. This Breitling B01-based chronograph movement features a silicone hairspring, column wheel, vertical clutch, and 70-hour power reserve.

Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition: Skepticism gone now!

Dive into the world of blue with the Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition (ref. M79360B-0002). But before you do that, you might want to know how deep you can go with a €5,720 watch. It’s 200 meters, so no need to worry. Now, my skepticism about the Black Bay Chrono isn’t just due to the early reference dials. I was also worried about the shape of the case. I value calmness. Form follows function, less is more. However, in the luxury realm that this watch exists in, the sobriety and other elements I mentioned earlier need to be very sophisticated. With that in mind, the watch’s 41 x 14.4 mm case, with its brushed lugs and polished sides, seems a little too plain for me. Looking at the profile of the watch, it looks a little plump and bulky.

Surprise, surprise. My wrist is shaped to fit a watch perfectly. The diameter is just right for the look, as it doesn’t completely cover your wrist, but just allows you to see a little of the bracelet. More importantly, the size and shape of the caseback fit my 18cm wrist like a glove.

Please don’t call it a jubilee bracelet.

The snug and comfortable fit of the Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition is due in part to the size and shape of the case, but the bracelet also plays a big role. I don’t think many Fratelli would be offended if I told them that Rolex makes the best bracelets in the world. A few more people will probably argue when I say that the Tudor dynasty is pretty close, but I think the majority will agree again. Historically, Tudor has offered Rolex quality at a more affordable level. So, of course, Jubilee-style (sorry, “5-link”) bracelets with brushed and polished finishes and T-fit quick-adjust clasps are top-notch. It is flexible and durable, has a beautiful finish, and has a familiar classic and elegant impression.

We also commend Tudor for choosing a fixed 316L stainless steel bezel with a blue and silver anodized aluminum tachymeter insert instead of a polished ceramic bezel. Yes, ceramic is more advanced and has much better resistance to scratches. However, the anodized aluminum bezel insert looks more dynamic and even organic. The colors look softer and more “lively” and the metallic nature of the aluminum gives the bezel more depth. While technically a ceramic bezel insert may be near perfect, aluminum is superior in terms of aesthetics.

silver clouds in the bright blue sky

There are quite a few blue dials in the various Tudor collections. For example, the F1 team’s Black Bay has a different shade of blue than the French Navy’s diving instruments. This boutique edition chronograph features ‘Tudor Blue’ on the bezel and dial. The Tudor Blue is bright and reminds me of the late summer afternoon sky on a Mediterranean island like Ponza.

On the heavenly blue dial, Tudor placed two silver “clouds”. Not only is a two-counter chronograph one of my favorite dial layouts, but on this Tudor, the silver subdial ties the case and bracelet together, making it look even better. The presence of a chamfered date window at 6 o’clock is unobtrusive and enhances the balanced appearance of the dial. In this case, functionality doesn’t get in the way of impressive looks.

Final words about the Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition

This blue dial model is the first Black Bay Chrono that I loved seeing and wearing. The sparkling blue bezel and dial, the silver “cloud” below the domed sapphire crystal, and the nice-looking, comfortable, well-made bracelet make for a great chronograph. That being said, I still prefer the carbon Pelagos FXD Chrono “Cycling Edition” to the steel Black Bay Chrono, but it’s hard to compare these two watches. While the Pelagos is a specialist, the blue Black Bay Chrono is an all-rounder. Plus, this striking blue design is sure to resonate with self-proclaimed denim lovers. I am one of them, and the same applies to myself. Does it resonate with you? Let us know in the comments.

Watch specifications