The Tudor Heritage Black Bay in Blue is a very attractive and well built watch at it’s price point and has been a popular dive watch over the years. The original 2012 TUDOR Heritage Black Bay, with its black-chocolate dial, pink-gold hands and hour markers, its creamy luminescent material and burgundy bezel had many references to earlier Tudor models, which gave it a retro feel. Its overall lines and its domed crystal originated from the brand’s first divers’ watch, the TUDOR Submariner reference 7922, launched in 1954 and its distinctive angular hands, known by connoisseurs as “Snowflakes”, were seen from 1969 to the early 1980s.
Tudor Heritage Black Bay in Blue – Baselworld 2014
Now with its release at Baselworld 2014 you can get it in a new colour scheme: the Black Bay Blue or ref. 79220B . While the original version had a gentle, soft warmth, the face of the second is cooler with sharp lines investing it with a decidedly high-tech appeal. Its deep-black dial strikes a cold, marked contrast with the silvery hour markers and their white luminescent material. The “midnight” blue is so dark that under low lighting it could well appear almost black.
The blue colour is intended to recall an association with the French navy since during the second half of the 20th century they were equipped with Tudor divers watches that were typically blue in colour.
This new model is technically the same as the 2012 version. The 200 meter water resistant case measures 41mm in diameter and 10mm thick. Housed inside is the reliable self-winding Swiss movement Tudor Calibre 2824, which is based on the ETA 2824, and appreciated by many watch collectors for its dependability. It has a frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 25 jewels; power reserve 38 hours.
The TUDOR Heritage Black Bay in Blue just like previous models in the Heritage line comes with a choice of two bracelets or straps: an adjustable black and blue fabric strap ; and the other a choice of either a midnight-blue distressed leather strap matching the bezel, or a satin-finished and polished steel bracelet. Both are supplied with a folding clasp.
Retail price is the same as the 2012 model at $3,100 USD on the leather strap or $3,425 with the stainless steel bracelet.