Black Bay 54 - now that’s an interesting one..

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by bohren

Thank you! Yeah, I totally get it. Some times it's the small details that make a huge difference.

To me it was the sum of all gilt details of the original BB58m, I felt the look as a bit too intentional 'vintagy', but here with the monochrome bezel the BB54 simply made 'click' and totally love it.



Thank you, too! The bracelet:

I didn't like it on my blue BB58, because I think it's too busy with the added elements and contrasts to be a match to the plain dial. So to make it 'mine' I added the classic, non-riveted Oyster from the Ranger.

But I always said, that I would be okay with it on the black BB58, because this has so much going on that it can better balance the bells and whistles the bracelet adds. Still I wasn’t a fan but I never considered the black BB58 for the reasons I mentioned above in my answer to @mdwsta4 anyway.

Now with the BB54 I almost love the bracelet. I never had a problem with the rivets not being real rivets. The left and right outer elements of the links are made from one piece, the metal-fittings are the same optical illusion as the rivets.
It's that the BB58 is more a reminiscence to its historic original but the BB54 is like a modern reincarnation of its forefather, it's just so close to history that the riveted look just feels right. I felt this the very first moment I saw it in the Boutique and knew, I wouldn't care about switching the bracelet anymore.

I have some more pictures:

Amazing pictures. It's weird, but I think it's just the simple design differences from the BB58 that are adding up and that's why I like the 54 so much more than the 58. In particular I like the must cleaner bezel and the smaller crown.

The BB54 feels like the Explorer I of the current Tudor lineup. Just a simple well executed no-frills sports watch.

[Insurmountable11]

Not sure why they changed the color of the bezel, but overall a nice edition to the Tudor catalog

[SpiritSoul]

Originally Posted by JDR888

It’ll definitely be a watch that needs to be seen in the flesh.

I love my DJ 36mm so I’d assume this at 37mm should wear larger.

Tried it recently at an AD whilst out of town for work. It feels slightly bigger than a DJ36 but sits very nicely on the wrist.

[bohren]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

Amazing pictures.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by douglasf13

...and these pics of the BB54 are leading me to believe it’s the coolest watch in the current Tudor/Rolex catalog. ...

Originally Posted by the dark knight

Amazing pictures. It's weird, but I think it's just the simple design differences from the BB58 that are adding up and that's why I like the 54 so much more than the 58. In particular I like the must cleaner bezel and the smaller crown.

The BB54 feels like the Explorer I of the current Tudor lineup. Just a simple well executed no-frills sports watch.

Probably no one said it that explicitly because the BB54 is so often looked at in comparison with the BB58 and approached as 'a Black Bay', but if you completely forget about the other Black Bay divers and bear in mind that the case of the BB54 is exactly that of the 7922, for me it's clear:

For the first time since the 90s Tudor has a Submariner again in the catalogue.

And that's simply the key why it feels the way you have described it.

Just look at the angles I had shown in the rearview mirror sceens in #162, you don't get that look from a BB58 because it has that tall case in proportion. And it's not the absolute height, it's that Tudor has slimmed down the flanks earlier on the BB54 - similar as on a 4- or 5-digit Sub.

The height of that part is not as different as it looks, the difference is only 0.7 mm. I measured it - without the caseback - at the 8 o'clock position and it's:
5.5 mm BB54
6.2 mm BB58

I'm reposting this picture, because what I see, when I look at this is my essentially my 14060m. Forget about the crown guards, forget about the different teeth on the bezel, just look at this gorgeous profile. It's a Sub!

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by bohren

Thank you!




Probably no one said it that explicitly because the BB54 is so often looked at in comparison with the BB58 and approached as 'a Black Bay', but if you completely forget about the other Black Bay divers and bear in mind that the case of the BB54 is exactly that of the 7922, for me it's clear:

For the first time since the 90s Tudor has a Submariner again in the catalogue.

And that's simply the key why it feels the way you have described it.

Just look at the angles I had shown in the rearview mirror sceens in #162, you don't get that look from a BB58 because it has that tall case in proportion. And it's not the absolute height, it's that Tudor has slimmed down the flanks earlier on the BB54 - similar as on a 4- or 5-digit Sub.

The height of that part is not as different as it looks, the difference is only 0.7 mm. I measured it - without the caseback - at the 8 o'clock position and it's:
5.5 mm BB54
6.2 mm BB58

I'm reposting this picture, because what I see, when I look at this is my essentially my 14060m. Forget about the crown guards, forget about the different teeth on the bezel, just look at this gorgeous profile. It's a Sub!

This is great!

Do you happen to have a side-by-side of the BB54 and your 14060M?

[bohren]

Originally Posted by illiguy

This is great!

Do you happen to have a side-by-side of the BB54 and your 14060M?

Not yet, but I will provide pictures. Probably tomorrow or otherwise not before Sunday.

Meanwhile I'm showing these. A friend dropped by and checked my BB54 on his wrist (17 cm), of course I had to take pictures:

[G3Z]

The 54 is an absolute winner for me. I think it’s the best release this year so far.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by bohren

Thank you!




Probably no one said it that explicitly because the BB54 is so often looked at in comparison with the BB58 and approached as 'a Black Bay', but if you completely forget about the other Black Bay divers and bear in mind that the case of the BB54 is exactly that of the 7922, for me it's clear:

For the first time since the 90s Tudor has a Submariner again in the catalogue.

And that's simply the key why it feels the way you have described it.

Just look at the angles I had shown in the rearview mirror sceens in #162, you don't get that look from a BB58 because it has that tall case in proportion. And it's not the absolute height, it's that Tudor has slimmed down the flanks earlier on the BB54 - similar as on a 4- or 5-digit Sub.

The height of that part is not as different as it looks, the difference is only 0.7 mm. I measured it - without the caseback - at the 8 o'clock position and it's:
5.5 mm BB54
6.2 mm BB58

I'm reposting this picture, because what I see, when I look at this is my essentially my 14060m. Forget about the crown guards, forget about the different teeth on the bezel, just look at this gorgeous profile. It's a Sub!

Thanks, you explained it perfectly.

[bohren]

Okay, here I am with the promised side by side pictures.

I think the first picture shows how similar to an old Sub the BB54 wears or looks on the wrist, if you keep in mind, that from most perspectives the caseback will be not visible.

I included a comparison with the BB58 as I find the difference in size stronger than I could perceive from pictures and videos on the web so far.

Hint: You can easily identify the BB54 by the riveted bracelet.

The pictures attached are in this order:

- 14060m + BB54 with the bottom edge of the flanks adjusted.
- 14060m + BB54

- BB54 + BB58 with the bottom edge of the flanks adjusted.
- BB54 + BB58

- BB58
- BB54
- 14060m

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by bohren

Okay, here I am with the promised side by side pictures.

I think the first picture shows how similar to an old Sub the BB54 wears or looks on the wrist, if you keep in mind, that from most perspectives the caseback will be not visible.

I included a comparison with the BB58 as I find the difference in size stronger than I could perceive from pictures and videos on the web so far.

Hint: You can easily identify the BB54 by the riveted bracelet.

The pictures attached are in this order:

- 14060m + BB54 with the bottom edge of the flanks adjusted.
- 14060m + BB54

- BB54 + BB58 with the bottom edge of the flanks adjusted.
- BB54 + BB58

- BB58
- BB54
- 14060m

Incredible photos and incredibly helpful. You made me think in the best way - 14060M as comp to the BB54 and not the BB58.

Lug to lug, would you say the BB54 also wears similarly to the 14060M, despite one being 40mm and the other less than 38mm?

[bohren]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Incredible photos and incredibly helpful. You made me think in the best way - 14060M as comp to the BB54 and not the BB58.

Lug to lug, would you say the BB54 also wears similarly to the 14060M, despite one being 40mm and the other less than 38mm?

Thank you very much!

Yep, that meets my thoughts which I worded earlier when I wrote „For the first time since the 90s Tudor has a Submariner again in the catalogue.“
And the BB58 is no Sub.

Lug to lug it's 45.3 (BB54) vs 47.5 (14060m) and while I never measured the weight of the my configurations and while the 93150 of the 14060m should be a bit lighter than the BB58s bracelet, the heads alone are 55 gr (BB54) vs 74 gr (14060m) (see #140)

Last week, after 3 weeks of mostly wearing the BB54 and 1 week of wearing it exclusively, I mounted my 14060m again and my first thought was: Wow, I didn't know it was that heavy.
But of course after some minutes the feeling was gone.

I say that the BB54 visually wears like a Sub and here I'm talking about the low profile and the essential side profile (the low lugs and their shape). My first picture in my prior post is all about this detail and similarity. You get that old Sub feeling, I want to say.

But then, the 14060m has much more presence, a lot more. That's naturally due to the diameter, it's simply bigger. Btw, size of the crystal is the same.

And then it is not as 'flat' in design. The teeth of the bezel which already start directly at the insert are just spectacular and so gorgeous and they show and you have the crown guards. The BB54 is more plain, more restrained, but brings a different kind of beauty.

I have shown a lof of pictures the last week, that should give a good idea. And I have shown these three watches on my wrist in #146

[-Ally-]

Bracelet ruins it.

[PO.Victory]

Originally Posted by bohren

Thank you very much!

Yep, that meets my thoughts which I worded earlier when I wrote „For the first time since the 90s Tudor has a Submariner again in the catalogue.“
And the BB58 is no Sub.

Lug to lug it's 45.3 (BB54) vs 47.5 (14060m) and while I never measured the weight of the my configurations and while the 93150 of the 14060m should be a bit lighter than the BB58s bracelet, the heads alone are 55 gr (BB54) vs 74 gr (14060m) (see #140)

Last week, after 3 weeks of mostly wearing the BB54 and 1 week of wearing it exclusively, I mounted my 14060m again and my first thought was: Wow, I didn't know it was that heavy.
But of course after some minutes the feeling was gone.

I say that the BB54 visually wears like a Sub and here I'm talking about the low profile and the essential side profile (the low lugs and their shape). My first picture in my prior post is all about this detail and similarity. You get that old Sub feeling, I want to say.

But then, the 14060m has much more presence, a lot more. That's naturally due to the diameter, it's simply bigger. Btw, size of the crystal is the same.

And then it is not as 'flat' in design. The teeth of the bezel which already start directly at the insert are just spectacular and so gorgeous and they show and you have the crown guards. The BB54 is more plain, more restrained, but brings a different kind of beauty.

I have shown a lof of pictures the last week, that should give a good idea. And I have shown these three watches on my wrist in #146

My grail has always been a 14060M with a modern bracelet. From your great review and pics, it seems Tudor has made my dreams come true.

[Scholar]

ADs won't let me get on the list for a Datejust and the new Submariners are still too fat to consider. This should be the ticket, though none of the ADs I've contacted have one in stock yet unfortunately.

[NachoNeal]

When the BB58 first came out everyone was making comparisons and noting the similarities with the old five digit subs. But I guess the BB54 is even more similar. Thanks for those great photos.

[1259]

Originally Posted by bohren

Okay, here I am with the promised side by side pictures.

I think the first picture shows how similar to an old Sub the BB54 wears or looks on the wrist, if you keep in mind, that from most perspectives the caseback will be not visible.

I included a comparison with the BB58 as I find the difference in size stronger than I could perceive from pictures and videos on the web so far.

Hint: You can easily identify the BB54 by the riveted bracelet.

The pictures attached are in this order:

- 14060m + BB54 with the bottom edge of the flanks adjusted.
- 14060m + BB54

- BB54 + BB58 with the bottom edge of the flanks adjusted.
- BB54 + BB58

- BB58
- BB54
- 14060m

Great comparison pics. The bb54 looks fantastic.

[Navin Johnson]

Nice comparison photos. Thanks for sharing.

[bohren]

Gents, thank you very much!

You better fasten your seatbelts before you read this:

There is one, very special diver from the 'house of Rolex' to which the Black Bay 54 is even more close than it is to the Tudor 7922. I'm saying more close because of the gilt details.That watch, the Tudor 7922 and Black Bay 54, they all have the same case and bezel style and the riveted bracelet also.

I'm talking about the Rolex 6204.

I have attached a screenshot from the site for a direct impression, but here's the link, the article is great:
Bob's Watches - A Historical Look at the Rolex Submariner ref. 6204

[mdwsta4]

Originally Posted by bohren

the 14060m has much more presence, a lot more. That's naturally due to the diameter, it's simply bigger. Btw, size of the crystal is the same.

Would be really interesting to see someone ballsy enough to put the BB54 crystal in a 14060. I do miss the dome acrylic crystals on the 5513 and earlier Sub generations compared to the flat/flush sapphire crystals from the 14060 onward

[bohren]

Originally Posted by mdwsta4

Would be really interesting to see someone ballsy enough to put the BB54 crystal in a 14060. I do miss the dome acrylic crystals on the 5513 and earlier Sub generations compared to the flat/flush sapphire crystals from the 14060 onward

I want to note, that my statement that the crystal size is the same originates from a quick measure with my calliper. With a domed crystal it's hard to get a precise stop for the jaws of the calliper and it was more another note on the similarities of the BB54 and 14060m.

Here's a new picture:

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by bohren

I want to note, that my statement that the crystal size is the same originates from a quick measure with my calliper. With a domed crystal it's hard to get a precise stop for the jaws of the calliper and it was more another note on the similarities of the BB54 and 14060m.

Here's a new picture:

Looks great on you! How big is your wrist? I’m thinking about selling my BB58, and picking this one up.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bohren]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

Looks great on you! How big is your wrist? I’m thinking about selling my BB58, and picking this one up.

Kat

Hi Kat,

and thank you! This is what I'll do, but mostly because the BB54 is so much more of what I was looking for in a BB than the - already fantastic - BB58.

It's not because of my wrist size. Please start here for my info about it and from there on you will find many wristshots from me and many different angles. And also scenes with the BB58 and 14060m also on my wrist: #140

Last line before the pictures there stating „My wrist is 17-17.5 cm depending on the temperature and with a calliper without pressing the sides I get 55 - 58 mm“

I recommend that on top of that post you look also at #146 The pictures in these two posts are made from a distance with a 105 mm lens and provide a true-to-life, distortion free perspective. The most other pictures have a very slight wide-angle distortion.

Cheers
Bernd

[AHG]

Mine is arriving today. I went with the rubber strap which is "one size fits most". Does anyone know if there is a special tool to cut the strap for smaller wrists. The AD's I've called are a bit unhelpful.

[LFFL]

Originally Posted by AHG

Mine is arriving today. I went with the rubber strap which is "one size fits most". Does anyone know if there is a special tool to cut the strap for smaller wrists. The AD's I've called are a bit unhelpful.

I was just wondering about that! Bummer it's not like OF where they've got different lengths available. Wonder what the smallest wrist size it'll accommodate.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by bohren

Hi Kat,

and thank you! This is what I'll do, but mostly because the BB54 is so much more of what I was looking for in a BB than the - already fantastic - BB58.

It's not because of my wrist size. Please start here for my info about it and from there on you will find many wristshots from me and many different angles. And also scenes with the BB58 and 14060m also on my wrist: #140

Last line before the pictures there stating „My wrist is 17-17.5 cm depending on the temperature and with a calliper without pressing the sides I get 55 - 58 mm“

I recommend that on top of that post you look also at #146 The pictures in these two posts are made from a distance with a 105 mm lens and provide a true-to-life, distortion free perspective. The most other pictures have a very slight wide-angle distortion.

Cheers
Bernd

Now, all of a sudden, my BB58 looks large! I do think I’d miss the big crown, and the red triangle…



Kat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[1259]

Originally Posted by AHG

Mine is arriving today. I went with the rubber strap which is "one size fits most". Does anyone know if there is a special tool to cut the strap for smaller wrists. The AD's I've called are a bit unhelpful.

I’m assuming you did not purchase from an AD. The AD is supposed to cut it for you when you purchase it. I know some ADs will resize your bracelet for a fee and others will do it for free.

[White Collar Boy]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

Now, all of a sudden, my BB58 looks large! I do think I’d miss the big crown, and the red triangle…

I think the 58 looks great still, in that photo. Who cares if it’s no Sub, it’s a great watch. :)

[AHG]

Originally Posted by 1259

I’m assuming you did not purchase from an AD. The AD is supposed to cut it for you when you purchase it. I know some ADs will resize your bracelet for a fee and others will do it for free.

I did buy it from an AD. No one has any specific cutting tools. The TUDOR boutique said they may get it this month. I'm not sure how special the tool is as it's probably a straight cut through a premarked area of the longer strap.

[Scholar]

Originally Posted by 1259

I’m assuming you did not purchase from an AD. The AD is supposed to cut it for you when you purchase it. I know some ADs will resize your bracelet for a fee and others will do it for free.

Entirely possible that the AD was not local. I know none of my local ADs have a 54 yet, for instance.

[1259]

Originally Posted by AHG

I did buy it from an AD. No one has any specific cutting tools. The TUDOR boutique said they may get it this month. I'm not sure how special the tool is as it's probably a straight cut through a premarked area of the longer strap.

Did the AD ask you to wait until it arrived? Or did they offer to cut it with a different tool? You have more experience than me I was just repeating what my AD told me. I’m still waiting to get allocated one.

Edit: By the way did you pick yours up today? Very curious how they will handle cutting the rubber strap.