At some point, it happens to almost every watch fanatic: The Rolex bug bites you…Perhaps you enter watch collecting at a reasonable price point, but the world’s most prestigious watchmaker eventually calls your name. Part of its prestige, though, is the fact that not all collectors can afford one – much less, multiple. If this is you, do not despair. Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex, has you covered. Almost 100 years ago, in 1926, Wilsdorf realized that he needed a steppingstone to help buyers and watch enthusiasts work their way up to Rolex. Enter: Tudor.
Tudor started as a way for Wilsdorf to put watches on more wrists, by selling high-quality timepieces at a lower price point. Eventually, the brand evolved to the point where it offered phenomenal watches which could stand on their own totally separate from Rolex. Today, the brand is well-loved by several groups of people: those on their way to buying their first Rolex, those who already own a Rolex but want an everyday wear that is less special, and those who want an attractive, dependable timepiece in the 4-figure (or occasionally 5-figure) range and could care less about Rolex. The brand has made a name for itself and has emerged out of Rolex’s shadow. Let’s take a look at Tudor’s flagship collection – the “Black Bay” – and why buying a pre-owned model is a top choice for watch enthusiasts.
Why a Pre-Owned Tudor Black Bay is the Perfect Timepiece
Take one look at the Tudor Black Bay and you will likely see Rolex’s influence on it. While there is phenomenal variety in the collection, the basic concepts inspired by Rolex are the simple dials, hour indices made up of circles/rectangles/triangles, and the high-contrast bezels with either markers every 10 minutes or 24 military hours. There are also variants of the model that further deviate from the Rolex concept by way of 2-subdial complications, using a plain bezel, or including a tachymeter around the bezel.
Reason 1: Variety of Sub-Models and Case Sizes
Within the Black Bay collection, there is a massive amount of variety available to collectors. The collection has numerous models within it, including:
- The Black Bay 58, which are a nod to Tudor’s vintage 1950’s dive watches. They are currently sized at 39mm and include an aluminum bezel as well as a riveted bracelet. It may be the perfect blend of vintage style and modern technology.
- The Black Bay 54, which sits at a uniquely small 37mm. Its smaller size and overall design are a nod to Tudor’s first dive watches.
- The Black Bay Pro, which is a variant that is fully modern. At 42mm, it is full of modern technology for serious divers, including a titanium case, a ceramic bezel, and a helium escape valve.
- The Black Bay Chrono, which includes a COSC-certified chronograph. At 41mm, it includes some unique design elements such as a 45-minute chronograph counter, as well as a date complication (uncommon for most Black Bay models).
- The Black Bay GMT, which are typically sized 39-41mm and include a simple GMT hand. They are paired with a 24-hour bezel (markings every 2 hours) done in 2-tone colors akin to the Rolex Submariner.
- The Black Bay Bronze, which comes in at the largest 43mm size. As the case is made of bronze, in time each timepiece will have a unique patina.
- The Black Bay Heritage, which has a unique appearance unlike the other Black Bay models. At 36mm, they are smaller timepieces complete with a narrow, plain bezel.
- The Black Bay P01, which is another unique iteration of the Black Bay. Based off of a 1960’s United States Navy prototype, the watch sits at 42mm and is thicker than other Black Bay models. The color of the bezel matches the case, and it has a textured edge. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the timepiece is the crown at the 4-o’clock position.
- The Black Bay Ceramic, which is a 41mm walk on the darker side as the matte black case gives collectors a more contemporary look while still preserving the vintage feel that Black Bay embodies.
Reason 2: Price
Given the wide variety of sub-models discussed above, there is a wide price range within it. Tudor’s Black Bay models start at $3,775 - $5,950 USD for a new model. If you’re interested in being the first wrist to wear the timepiece you buy, then the price is conducive to that. But if you are open to buying a pre-owned timepiece in near-new condition, you may save $1,000 or more off the price tag. As an added bonus to buying a pre-owned Tudor Black Bay, you’ll be able to choose from any model within the 12 years since Tudor introduced the model. You will never find a Rolex (at least a working model in half-good shape) for that kind of price tag.
Reason 3: Features / Quality
If you’re still not sure about picking up a pre-owned Tudor Black Bay, we have one more reason why this might be the perfect watch for you. Some luxury brands offer a bare-bones model south of $5,000 but those models are rarely desirable timepieces. This means that their quality may not be up to par, and it may be difficult to resell down the road if you further upgrade your collection. Nothing could be further from the truth for Black Bay. With this collection, Tudor offers collectors Swiss Made timepieces that are built to last. Tudor uses in-house automatic movements or Swiss ETA movements depending on the model year. Many of the models also have a solid water resistance rating, to help the timepiece last for many years to come.
In the watch community, some would say that Rolex is the king and Tudor is a prince. While Tudor is a less expensive alternative to Rolex, impressive watch models like the Black Bay help Tudor step out from behind Rolex’s shadow. Many watch fans are flocking to Tudor not because they cannot afford a Rolex but because they love the design elements and commitment to quality – regardless of the price tag. Over its nearly 100 years in business, Tudor has slowly become a watchmaking powerhouse. Regardless of whether you want to work your way up to a Rolex or simply buy an amazing timepiece for your everyday wear or grail piece, a pre-owned Tudor Black Bay is the perfect watch for you.