Black Bay Chrono 2021 - Owners Thread

[bp1000]

I haven't seen one of these threads posted before and having just picked up a the new 2021 Black Bay Chrono I wanted to do it some justice with a mini review.

I don't normally do these, nor incomings but I've been particularly impressed with this watch.

It also bothers me that some people call Tudor the poor mans Rolex. I think they are still very underrated and I've been a huge Tudor fan for a number of years so would like to give this latest release some credit. For me, the joy of watches is not just about the brand prestige, its about great watches, which I feel this is.

A popular topic is thickness, slab sided, the Tudor way. I do not think it wears like a 14.4mm watch. In fact I've read a few reviews where it has measured 14.2mm on the callipers. Some of that is the domed sapphire crystal which somehow manages to distort the seconds track hash markers very close to how an old school acrylic crystal would do.

That feeling extends into the watch overall. It feels more like something from the past, than the present. One of my favourite watches that at some point I would like to own is the 6263, non Paul Newman black dial Daytona. I saw the similarities but its far enough to departed from the 6263 as to not look like an embarrassing copy.

Regarding the thickness, if you own a Black Back 41mm diver, an ETA or in-house, all you have to do is flip that watch and this chrono upside down and view it from the back and side to see how they have reshaped the case-back and curved / tapered the lugs so this watch, despite it's 14.4mm spec thickness, sits very flat, at least on my wrist. It therefore hides its on sheet thickness quite well. I own a few Daytonas, whilst they have a case profile more like a Datejust than a sub, I don't feel there is an awful lot of difference in profile between the them and the BB chrono. Clearly the Daytona is thinner, but it isn't night and day.

It sits very comfortable on the wrist, although the only slight criticism is it is slightly top heavy.

I had the opportunity to see both the panda and the reverse panda.

As you can see, I picked the reverse panda. I preferred the continuity between the black dial and black bezel. I'm also a fan of Tudors subtle matte black finish. It makes the sub registers stand out, especially as the white/silver is stepped and to me that adds depth, and as a chronograph collector, I use these watches, for their intended function, regularly. A long with slightly better contrast on the black dial version between the hands and hour lume plots, the reverse panda just made more sense to me, but neither choice is a bad choice.

Now that I own it, added to a collection of other chronographs, I don't wish it was thinner. I wouldn't change anything about it apart from perhaps slightly more bracelet taper. The faux rivets don't bother me but on balance I'd prefer a bracelet without them.

If this is where Tudor are starting from regarding their new chrono line, I think its got a great future ahead.

[Gerardus]

Thanxs for sharing and nice pics!!

[tanask211]

Great looking pics and appreciate your sharing! I had the BB ETA and S&G and was impressed with the build and design based on its price point. Never felt it is poor man's version of big crown and as they aren't exactly cheap...at least to me !
The reverse BB Chrono is my favourite choice for this release and hope to add it to my current collection.

Sent from my RMX2170 using Tapatalk

[blufinz52]

A great review on a great watch. I have the Tudor BB GMT and BB58 in blue, and plan to add the BB Chrono to my collection. Love the reverse panda. Congrats!

[bp1000]

Cheers guys, off to a good start on timekeeping.

Nice flat +0 since yesterday.

[flappy]

I got this watch on release date, AD called once the stock came in and i immediately went to pick it up. I call it my Black Panda :)

[donaldinc]

Love it with the great balance of weight on the wrist. Does anyone know where to source the strap for this?

[Ssunnylee24]

Thanks for sharing. Looks amazing with that green shirt. Cheers

[bp1000]

Originally Posted by donaldinc

Love it with the great balance of weight on the wrist. Does anyone know where to source the strap for this?

You should be able to order through a Tudor AD, or do you mean any strap?

I think lug width is 22mm

[Frogdog]

While I went with the panda version, I couldn’t agree more with your assessment.

[Frogdog]

[In-Cog-Neeto]

Great looking watches

[Santiago32]

Man! I’m trying hard to resist buying another watch. I’ll probably cave in for a white dial at some point. Fantastic review and love the pics in the thread.

[1William]

Got the black dial on the Bund. On the list for the white dial but may pass depending on how it looks on the wrist.

[Nauti]

hard choice between the 2 both lovely..

[In-Cog-Neeto]

Originally Posted by 1William

Got the black dial on the Bund. On the list for the white dial but may pass depending on how it looks on the wrist.

It looks so heavy and restrictive

[Das]

Originally Posted by 1William

Got the black dial on the Bund. On the list for the white dial but may pass depending on how it looks on the wrist.

Looks fantastic

[bp1000]

Originally Posted by 1William

Got the black dial on the Bund. On the list for the white dial but may pass depending on how it looks on the wrist.

Fantastic, I think I'll order this strap at some point, gives a totally different look.

[ninjin]

Here is my strap from Aliexpress. £18 delivered to UK incl vat. only took 1week! For some reason, the black strap has made the red accents on the dial pop. Didn't notice them much before.

[ninjin]

Here's a white one on Bund that my friend bought in HK.

[jjimfer]

Amazing chrono...
Here on a rugged leather strap by JPM

[CKizzy]

Just received...

[Rafabond]

I have both, the Panda (my favorite) and the black one with the Bund strap, but I only use the strap, with the Bund I don't like it

[bp1000]

Originally Posted by CKizzy

Just received...

Congrats!

Don’t want to stop wearing mine.

[steeevvvooo]

Checking in. Only negative for me is the slab sided profile draws the eye but I can live with the actual dimensions. I have already started to think if it would look better fully brushed though :) Anyone good with photoshop?

[pierson]

Will these be hard to come by, or will we see them everywhere? The watches are perfect and, if they are in easy supply, I’d imagine we see them everywhere

[atxdivebezel]

Picked up my black dial two weeks ago. Pairs great with my Pelagos LHD, kill two piece meal deal hunger buster.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by bp1000

I haven't seen one of these threads posted before and having just picked up a the new 2021 Black Bay Chrono I wanted to do it some justice with a mini review.

I don't normally do these, nor incomings but I've been particularly impressed with this watch.

It also bothers me that some people call Tudor the poor mans Rolex. I think they are still very underrated and I've been a huge Tudor fan for a number of years so would like to give this latest release some credit. For me, the joy of watches is not just about the brand prestige, its about great watches, which I feel this is.

A popular topic is thickness, slab sided, the Tudor way. I do not think it wears like a 14.4mm watch. In fact I've read a few reviews where it has measured 14.2mm on the callipers. Some of that is the domed sapphire crystal which somehow manages to distort the seconds track hash markers very close to how an old school acrylic crystal would do.

That feeling extends into the watch overall. It feels more like something from the past, than the present. One of my favourite watches that at some point I would like to own is the 6263, non Paul Newman black dial Daytona. I saw the similarities but its far enough to departed from the 6263 as to not look like an embarrassing copy.

Regarding the thickness, if you own a Black Back 41mm diver, an ETA or in-house, all you have to do is flip that watch and this chrono upside down and view it from the back and side to see how they have reshaped the case-back and curved / tapered the lugs so this watch, despite it's 14.4mm spec thickness, sits very flat, at least on my wrist. It therefore hides its on sheet thickness quite well. I own a few Daytonas, whilst they have a case profile more like a Datejust than a sub, I don't feel there is an awful lot of difference in profile between the them and the BB chrono. Clearly the Daytona is thinner, but it isn't night and day.

It sits very comfortable on the wrist, although the only slight criticism is it is slightly top heavy.

I had the opportunity to see both the panda and the reverse panda.

As you can see, I picked the reverse panda. I preferred the continuity between the black dial and black bezel. I'm also a fan of Tudors subtle matte black finish. It makes the sub registers stand out, especially as the white/silver is stepped and to me that adds depth, and as a chronograph collector, I use these watches, for their intended function, regularly. A long with slightly better contrast on the black dial version between the hands and hour lume plots, the reverse panda just made more sense to me, but neither choice is a bad choice.

Now that I own it, added to a collection of other chronographs, I don't wish it was thinner. I wouldn't change anything about it apart from perhaps slightly more bracelet taper. The faux rivets don't bother me but on balance I'd prefer a bracelet without them.

If this is where Tudor are starting from regarding their new chrono line, I think its got a great future ahead.

Looking good!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[1Utama]

....the agony.....ebony or ivory lol....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[1Utama]

...easy-peasy choice...shades of the 6263 Newman..


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk