Tudor Black Bay 58 Blue

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The Tudor Black Bay 58 Blue was released on July 1, 2020. I knew I had to have it and here is why.

The Original Black Bay 58

When the original Black Bay 58 was released at Basel 2018 I had quite an interest in the watch.  It had all the qualities I was looking for in a dive watch and the size was perfect for my wrist (a smidge under 6.5 inches). It had an in house movement with a 70 hour power reserve. It was 47.5 mm lug to lug. The lugs were sleek and chamfers were polished. Torch lume, a buttery smooth crown and 60 click bezel complete the compelling package. The dial was balanced with no date. It was under 12 mm thick and the price was...well we all know the value.

However, due to my collection having a 114060 I knew it was redundant and thus I passed. It would get less wrist time and I was better suited for adding a different piece to my collection which I did a little over a year later. But I thought to myself, 'Tudor wouldn't develop a new movement for just one iteration of this model, would they?' The next year came and I expected a new color or even a new Tudor Submariner. We got nothing. Still I thought to myself, 'can this really be it for the MT5402?'

The Black Bay 58 Blue

Fast forward to 2020 and, as we all know, Basel is postponed and then Rolex pulls out for good. Enthusiasts are left wondering if any new watches will be released. Of course in the state of affairs it is low on the list but this is our hobby so we cannot just forget. June 2020 arrives and the rumors are flying. Tudor and Rolex will release models. But what could it be?  In my own right I scour to find information and eventually stumble upon an Instagram picture reflecting a new Tudor Black Bay 58 - this one is in Blue. When I saw it I thought 'Oh it is nice but so what?.' Then I kept looking and the more I was the more I liked. It had everything I wanted in a dive watch but was a slight twist that I felt was enough to make it a new addition to my small collection. 

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Frustration and a Turn of Events

I have a few ADs I know decently well in the area. Well come to find out one was willing to sell me on the day prior to the release. However, the AD ended up backing out. I still have no answer. Now when I say AD I don't mean a sales rep. I mean the actual owner of the AD. Yes. It was terrible and I felt slighted but I do understand. It was sold to someone else. I would have to find another way.

Through a friend I met on this website I was able to get the watch a few weeks later. He knows who he is and it was a fantastic gesture. My frustration was short lived thanks to him. A few friends actually looked into it so I thank them all for looking out. 

The Dial (and Bezel insert)

This is the only difference between the original BB58. Some say the stainless steel color is lighter but I can not see that. The dial is stunning. There is no other blue like this blue in the Rolex and Tudor lineup. It is hard to describe but it can be monotone dark or light. The dial is actually textured. It is quite stunning. When it was released I was worried it would be the same color as the Black Bay 41 Blue bezel. It could not be further from that in the flesh. I will let the pictures do the talking.

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Comparison to the Rolex Submariner 114060

I thought many might find this interesting so I took some comparison shots to my Ceramic Sub C. These two watches compliment each other very well in my opinion. One is the ying and the other is the yang. Size wise they wear the very close but the Sub C with its fixed end links and larger lugs wears larger. You really cannot go wrong with either one of these watches. Perhaps it does not have the wrist presence of the Rolex but it has the charm that will keep you wearing it with its boxed sapphire crystal and 5 digit Rolex profile.

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Common Gripes of Others

The common gripes of others, that I have seen, are:

1. It is the same watch with a different color. So what?
2. It has a riveted bracelet for no reason. If it is not a real rivet bracelet it is worthless and horrible. 

My response to both is try the watch on. Blue is blue and yeah every brand has done it. But so what? Every brand also does black, white, green and so on. I assure you this blue is different and would look fantastic on a distressed leather strap. 

In terms of the second item I don't mind the riveted bracelet. It is a throwback to the days of the old Rolex and Tudor oyster bracelets. I know a lot of collectors are stuck on this point. All I can say as an owner is it is great and a mix up to the standard oyster styling. But I don't need to convince you - there are several strap options. 

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What is the Black Bay 58 Blue?

To me? Quite simply the best Tudor watch ever made. Now before the pitchforks come out let me tell you why (and no obviously I haven't owned every Tudor ever made). It is the modern five digit Submariner. Before flaming me, keep reading. You know the proportions because I detailed them above (which scream 5 digit Rolex), the lugs are slim, it does not have crown guards, it has a solid bracelet with no rattle, a better clasp (which isn't stamped) and has ceramic fitment in the flip lock, an in house movement with 70 hours of power reserve, 3 not 4 lines of text, green super luminova, a boxed sapphire crystal and an aluminum insert. The only thing it does not have is Rolex on the dial. But of course why would it?

Conclusion

There is seemingly nothing special about the Tudor Black Bay 58 Blue.  It is an unassuming release that gets a yawn from most as, "So what?". But look closer at what it sets out to do. It is an under the radar watch that shouldn't create such buzz but it did. Perhaps it is the year 2020 and the lack of releases. Only time will tell. But I will tell you this from owning the watch - the execution is just about as good as I have ever seen. 

You do not have to take my word for it. For the price of $3,700, or less if you loathe rivets, it can be yours. 

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