The TUDOR Black Bay 41mm Monochrome is one of the world’s most iconic timepieces. Having been developed from TUDOR’s rich diving heritage, the legendary tool watch is an impressive representation of the brand’s precision engineering philosophy. Presented on a five-link stainless steel bracelet, this 41mm Black Bay in stainless steel features a domed sapphire crystal on the front and a solid caseback emblazoned with the TUDOR shield.
Inspired by the historic dive watches supplied to naval forces, it also includes a unidirectional rotating bezel, black dial and the famous “snowflake” hands first introduced in 1969. The watch is driven by the TUDOR Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U, which powers the hours, minutes and seconds functions, with METAS Master Chronometer certification for exceptional accuracy and magnetic resistance.
Condition: Unworn condition
Includes: Complete box set
Guarantee: Warranty valid until 2030
Shipping: Free UK delivery
Black Bay 41mm Monochrome Key Features
Diving Watch Heritage
- Identical to TUDOR’s professional diving watch design with naval forces heritage
- Domed sapphire crystal providing exceptional scratch resistance and clarity
- Unidirectional rotating bezel for essential dive timing capability
- Signature “snowflake” hands, originally developed for enhanced underwater legibility
- TUDOR shield emblem on solid caseback commemorating the brand’s heritage
- Black monochrome aesthetic continuing the tool watch tradition
- Famous graduated diving bezel, a detail cherished by collectors
Revolutionary Movement Technology
- Calibre MT5602-U manual-winding movement with METAS certification
- Master Chronometer certified, resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss
- Free-sprung balance with silicon balance spring for superior precision
- Advanced anti-magnetic properties ensuring reliable timekeeping in varied environments
- 70-hour power reserve for extended operational reliability
- Refined finishing with decorative elements visible through display caseback
Distinctive Design Elements
- Classic 41mm stainless steel case with iconic proportions
- Black dial with applied hour markers and luminous material
- Screw-down crown with TUDOR rose in relief
- Steel bracelet with brushed five-link per-row design
- Total product weight approximately 134g
- Folding clasp with comfort setting adjustment
- Perfect balance of vintage aesthetics and modern engineering
The Tudor Heritage
Since its introduction in 1954, the Black Bay’s predecessors have established themselves as some of the most iconic timepieces in horological history. Its selection by various naval forces cemented its legendary status, culminating in its reputation as one of the most reliable professional diving watches. As the direct descendant of these historic models, the Black Bay has earned recognition for its robust construction and authentic design cues. The current Black Bay Monochrome preserves this extraordinary heritage, celebrating the pioneering spirit that made TUDOR a respected name in watchmaking while showcasing TUDOR’s continued commitment to innovation with its Master Chronometer certification and advanced materials technology.
Perfect For
- Diving enthusiasts and collectors of professional-grade underwater timepieces
- Horological connoisseurs appreciating the historical significance of the Black Bay
- Watch collectors seeking the perfect balance between authentic heritage
- Enthusiasts of precision engineering with modern movement technology
- Those drawn to watches with authentic historical connections
- Admirers of mid-century design aesthetics with modern technical execution
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Calibre MT5602-U movement special?
The Calibre MT5602-U represents a significant evolution of TUDOR’s manufacturing expertise. While maintaining the robust architecture that established TUDOR’s reputation for reliability, the MT5602-U incorporates several important advancements. Most notably, it features the Co-Axial escapement, reducing friction and improving long-term accuracy and reliability. Additionally, it includes a silicon balance spring, making it immune to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, temperature variations, and shock resistance. These enhancements, along with other refinements, allow the movement to achieve the stringent Master Chronometer certification by METAS – the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. This certification represents one of the industry’s most demanding standards, testing the complete watch for precision, magnetic resistance, water resistance, and power reserve performance.
What is the significance of the “snowflake” hands?
The distinctive “snowflake” hands are proprietary design elements developed specifically for professional applications where legibility is critical. Unlike standard hands which can be difficult to distinguish underwater, the angular shape of the hour hand with its square tip creates a clear visual distinction from the minute hand even in poor visibility conditions, while the increased surface area allows for more luminous material to be applied. This authentic detail maintains the direct lineage to the original TUDOR diving watches supplied to naval forces starting in 1969 and represents TUDOR’s commitment to functional design in its legendary timepieces.
How does this model connect to the original Black Bay design?
While incorporating modern advancements, this Black Bay Monochrome maintains faithful connections to the original TUDOR diving watches. The classic 41mm case with its distinctive proportions, the black dial with applied hour markers, and the manual-winding movement all honour the original design. Special touches like the monochrome colour scheme replicate details found on vintage models. The bracelet design draws inspiration from the reference 7924 bracelets from the period, updated with modern construction techniques for improved durability and comfort. These careful historical references ensure that while benefiting from contemporary watchmaking technology, this limited edition remains authentically connected to its illustrious predecessor.
What special features are included with this Black Bay?
This Black Bay Monochrome comes with the complete TUDOR presentation box set containing several significant extras. Most notably, it includes the original warranty documentation valid until 2030, providing exceptional peace of mind. The watch features the iconic domed sapphire crystal with excellent clarity. The caseback displays the famous TUDOR shield, symbolising the watch’s precision engineering and connection to TUDOR’s professional heritage. Each detail has been meticulously crafted to honour both the original specifications and the historical significance of this legendary timepiece.
How does the METAS certification affect performance?
The Master Chronometer certification by METAS represents a comprehensive testing regimen that ensures exceptional performance in real-world conditions. Each watch undergoes eight rigorous tests examining qualities like precision, resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, and power reserve performance. For owners, this certification translates to superior stability and accuracy in daily wear, regardless of the environmental challenges the watch may encounter. The anti-magnetic properties are particularly valuable in our modern world filled with electronic devices that can affect traditional mechanical watches. This certification demonstrates TUDOR’s commitment to creating not just historically significant timepieces, but technically superior instruments that meet the demands of contemporary life.
How collectable is this Black Bay 41mm Monochrome likely to be?
The Black Bay 41mm Monochrome represents one of watchmaking’s most collectable models. Its combination of direct connection to TUDOR’s rich diving heritage, the technical advancements it incorporates, and the thoughtful design details throughout suggest strong long-term collectability. Black Bay models typically attract particular interest from collectors, especially those marking important design variations within the range. Additionally, the immaculate condition of this example, complete with its original packaging and warranty documentation, further enhances its desirability for serious collectors seeking pristine examples of historically significant timepieces.
