Tudor are really exploring the colour wheel this year when it comes to the Black Bay Chrono. Well, that might be a bit of an overstatement because they’ve released the Inter Miami inspired Black Bay Chrono “Pink” and now this, the Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition. I half wonder if the insane amount of interest that the pink edition garnered resulted in this blue version being fast tracked.
It features the signature design of the Black Bay Chrono with a 41mm steel case and fixed tachymeter bezel. The bezel here is colour matched to the blue dial whereas the pink edition remained black. In fact, it’s currently the only BB Chrono with a coloured bezel, marking it as unique and distinctive.
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Blue” display consists of a bicompax chronograph display with a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock and a 45-minute timer at 3 o’clock. 45 is quite an unusual scale to see on a chronograph because the more common intervals are 30-minutes or 12-hours, but the 45-minute version is something of a signature for the collection. There’s also the standard date window at 6 o’clock completing the design.
In terms of colour, the blue tone is nice and rich. It’s not quite so intense as a royal or electric blue, instead reminding me of the aquatic shade used on the Pelagos FXD. Although the silver subdials, bright lumed hour markers and snowflake hands add points of brilliance to the display. It doesn’t feel like the craziest addition to the collection as it’s almost more surprising that there wasn’t a blue edition already.
Beneath the updated dial is housed the Calibre MT5813. It’s a COSC chronometer certified movement with automatic winding and a 70-hour power reserve. Interestingly Tudor have acknowledged that it’s based on the Breitling Calibre B01, which makes sense because the two brands have a history of working together.
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition is presented on a steel bracelet at a price of £4,880. As a boutique edition it will be exclusively available from select brick and mortar Tudor boutiques. If this watch proves to be as popular as the “Pink”, they’ve got another winner on their hands.
Price and Specs:
Model:
Tudor
Black Bay Chrono
Ref:
M79360B-0002
Case:
41mm
diameter x 14.4mm thickness, stainless steel
Dial:
Blue
with silver subdials
Water resistance:
200m
(20 bar)
Movement:
Tudor
calibre MT5813, automatic, COSC-certified, 47 jewels
Frequency:
28,800
vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve:
70h
Functions:
Hours,
minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Strap:
Stainless
steel bracelet with Tudor T-fit rapid adjustment clasp
Price:
£4,880
More details at Tudor.
Oracle Time