The line has grown to include popular variations such as the Black Bay Fifty-Eight (BB58) in a compact 39mm case with perfect vintage proportions. For those looking for even more out of a dive watch you have the option of the Black Bay Pro with its GMT functionality and rugged styling. If the whole vintage style really is not for you then do not worry, Tudor has been playing around with many other designs and materials like the Black Bay Bronze, Steel & Gold, and Ceramic. All three are stylish takes on the classic dive design from Tudor but still wear like a dream without being too bold and unique.
If we take a look at its sibling the Pelagos, from a first glance they might look a bit similar however they are two very different lines. Where the Black Bay looks back, the Pelagos looks forward. This is Tudor’s most technical dive watch, designed for professional use and this is echoed loudly in the designs. With a full titanium case and bracelet, helium escape valve, and a whopping 500m water resistance, it’s engineered to perform under pressure. The Pelagos features a clean, legible dial, fully lumed ceramic bezel, and a unique spring-loaded clasp that adjusts as your wrist changes underwater. The clasp on this is one of the best, from a practical usage point of view, in not just Tudor’s catalogue but in the dive watch world altogether!
BLACK BAY VS PELAGOS - WHICH TUDOR DIVE WATCH RULES?
When it comes to dive watches Tudor have been making incredible strides in the development of their watches. Improved bracelets, claps, movements and managed to slim down the cases too. And within Tudor’s catalogue, two names dominate the conversation around which is the best dive watch, the Black Bay and the Pelagos. Both are formidable in their own right, but they represent two very different philosophies. So which Tudor dive watch truly reigns supreme? That’s what we are going to take a look at today.
Introduced in 2012, the Black Bay pays tribute to Tudor’s dive watch legacy. Inspired by models from the 1950s and ‘60s, it captures the essence of vintage tool watches while incorporating modern materials and movements. Whether it’s the iconic “snowflake” hands, large unguarded crown, or domed crystal, the Black Bay is all about nostalgic charm. The large amounts of the warm rose gold gilt used for anything Tudor can really give that vintage aesthetic but without compromising on modern specifications. But it’s not just about looks, recent Black Bay models house Tudor’s in-house MT series movements, offering COSC-certified performance and up to 70 hours of power reserve.
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James Talbot