(Potentially) controversial opinion: Black Bay 54 bracelet

[Poodlopogus]

No, not another "rivets vs. no rivets" debate here! Rather, a discussion of end links.

I'm starting to think that the overall look would have been better if Tudor had used the bracelet w/o end links, and just a straight bar, sometimes pictured on the Tudor 7923.

In some ways, I think Tudor did too good a job of replicating the somewhat poor fit of the original 7922 end links (they never line up quite right in pics of vintage ones).

Hadn't given the end links too much thought before, but after seeing some of the Omega SMP 300s and Mido Ocean Star Tributes on mesh bracelets, w/o fitted end links, I found myself digging the look.

[Mr. Superlative]

Personally I think the BB54 looks superb on the rubber strap, over the bracelet.

[Old Expat Beast]

You mean like they put on the Tudor Heritage Ranger (2014 - 2020), in the style of the original Rolex Explorer?

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Mr. Superlative

Personally I think the BB54 looks superb on the rubber strap, over the bracelet.

Agreed, if the strap is profiled to fit against the case. Straight ends across curved cases look unfinished to me.

[OG1982]

This is why I bought my BB54 on the rubber band, this Tudor bracelet really needs a re-design, IMO.

You can bet Tudor will bring out the BB54 on the 5 link Jubilee next (I got an Uncle Straps jubilee and it works great), which will be a great move.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You mean like they put on the Tudor Heritage Ranger (2014 - 2020), in the style of the original Rolex Explorer?

[Poodlopogus]

Originally Posted by Mr. Superlative

Personally I think the BB54 looks superb on the rubber strap, over the bracelet.

I thought about that. But ultimately a rubber strap with a T-fit buckle and fitted end links looked way too modern for that particular watch. If I were to have gone the strap route, I'd have attempted to acquire the rubber/leather hybrid from the Ranger/BB Pro as it's the closest OEM (in terms of aesthetics) to the tropical straps often seen on early Subs.

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You mean like they put on the Tudor Heritage Ranger (2014 - 2020), in the style of the original Rolex Explorer?

Yes!

Originally Posted by OG1982

This is why I bought my BB54 on the rubber band, this Tudor bracelet really needs a re-design, IMO.

You can bet Tudor will bring out the BB54 on the 5 link Jubilee next (I got an Uncle Straps jubilee and it works great), which will be a great move.

I thought same, and considered waiting for that. But then I thought it may never come, since it's not "historically correct" (and that watch really nailed the "historically correct" more than most).

However, I have found I don't love the look of the gilt dial with the partly-polished Jubilee. I thought I was going to love the anthracite BB36 upon launch. When I tried it, though, I found there was too much going on when combining the matte and polished steel surfaces with the dark dial and the gold hands/marker surrounds. My fear is that it would be even more true with the BB54.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Poodlopogus

If I were to have gone the strap route, I'd have attempted to acquire the rubber/leather hybrid from the Ranger/BB Pro as it's the closest OEM (in terms of aesthetics) to the tropical straps often seen on early Subs.

I use this WatchGecko tropic strap on my 5513 a few years ago and it looked and worked great, with a regular tang buckle.

[Dan Pierce]

Much prefer the SEL.
dP

[gt0279a]

Originally Posted by Poodlopogus

No, not another "rivets vs. no rivets" debate here! Rather, a discussion of end links.

I'm starting to think that the overall look would have been better if Tudor had used the bracelet w/o end links, and just a straight bar, sometimes pictured on the Tudor 7923.

In some ways, I think Tudor did too good a job of replicating the somewhat poor fit of the original 7922 end links (they never line up quite right in pics of vintage ones).

Hadn't given the end links too much thought before, but after seeing some of the Omega SMP 300s and Mido Ocean Star Tributes on mesh bracelets, w/o fitted end links, I found myself digging the look.

You can just get some 20mm straight end pieces and get the look you want.

[PenDelicate]

I prefer end links over any curved fit, and I prefer any curved fit over air-gap.

[colonelpurple]

I disagree. The 54 bracelet looks and fits great
and, for what its worth, the rivets look great. without it would just become a boring bracelet that looked like thousands of others

[ocb]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

You mean like they put on the Tudor Heritage Ranger (2014 - 2020), in the style of the original Rolex Explorer?

Oh no, definitely not, that’s the worst possible look.