Tudor to stop making BBB

[red.earth]

I don't want to fire the rumour mill up even further, but I visited a Tudor dealer in the UK at the weekend and the Store Manager said something about if I was interested in the BBB I should get one before Basel as it wouldn't be available for much longer. I showed interest in the Blue one, not the black, so his comment wasn't relevant to me... But he shared it nonetheless. Actually, my primary interest was the North Flag... Which I absolutely loved!

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[Boothroyd]

We will know soon enough, but interesting that two AD's made these comments to prospective customers. As I mentioned previously, Tudor reps seem to share more information with their AD's than Rolex (Rolex gives no indication of what's coming).

[eightball76]

Well seems strange that they would discontinue it. I'm not sure that they would/should even put their new movement in any heritage models....I guess nobody really knows for sure, but i would say that people should only buy watches that they like and not for investment purposes. For the MRSP price of the Black Bay does it really matter whether it increases or decreases? there will always be plenty out there should someone want to get them at a later date.
I have to say though, the black bay is a fantastic watch and a real bargain at the moment, if you haven't tried one on in person i highly recommend visiting your local AD to see and understand what all the hype is about.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by GB-man

If they rename the black bay the Tudor submariner I'll eat 50 wings and enter the Boston marathon. Same day.

In what order? 50 wings first or no deal!

[Boothroyd]

I had a minute so called my local Tudor AD. They have no information that the BBB is being discontinued and they can still order inventory.

However, the GranTour line inventory has dried up (in all it's variations) and they cannot currently order from Tudor. Thought I would add that to the thread.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

In what order? 50 wings first or no deal!

Keeping my options open

I'll run the first 5k, drop out and eat 50 wings.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

I had a minute so called my local Tudor AD. They have no information that the BBB is being discontinued and they can still order inventory.

However, the GranTour line inventory has dried up (in all it's variations) and they cannot currently order from Tudor. Thought I would add that to the thread.

I noticed that, not one to be seen at the AD.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by red.earth

I don't want to fire the rumour mill up even further, but I visited a Tudor dealer in the UK at the weekend and the Store Manager said something about if I was interested in the BBB I should get one before Basel as it wouldn't be available for much longer. I showed interest in the Blue one, not the black, so his comment wasn't relevant to me... But he shared it nonetheless.

Well......today I made visits to 4 seperate Tudor AD's in London to make enquires about a Black Black Bay.....and without any joy (and no promises of being able to get one) and so eventually ended up at Watches of Switzerland in Regent St., where they did have them in stock. Sales guys said (and I take most things said by sales people with a pinch of salt) that they had only received some in this week. I asked about the rumour of discontinuing, and he was aware of it, and said that they were told when the black version was announced, that it wasn't going to be limited numbers, but it was going to be for a limited time, but with no indication as to when that time would be up. So, maybe there is some truth to it not being available after Baselworld.

Anyway, I bought it

[Boothroyd]

Congrats on the BB Black, GeeRam (assume your comment means you bought the watch)! That AD comment adds a slightly different twist--numbers not limited, but time-limited.

I think we can expect a new model from Tudor at Basel, and fine-tuning to their line-up.

[Benjo74]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

Well......today I made visits to 4 seperate Tudor AD's in London to make enquires about a Black Black Bay.....and without any joy (and no promises of being able to get one) and so eventually ended up at Watches of Switzerland in Regent St., where they did have them in stock. Sales guys said (and I take most things said by sales people with a pinch of salt) that they had only received some in this week. I asked about the rumour of discontinuing, and he was aware of it, and said that they were told when the black version was announced, that it wasn't going to be limited numbers, but it was going to be for a limited time, but with no indication as to when that time would be up. So, maybe there is some truth to it not being available after Baselworld.



Anyway, I bought it

Goldsmiths in Canary Wharf (London) told me the same about the black being discontinued. They said it was being done by Tudor to make it more rare and therefore more desirable, which makes no sense at all.


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[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by GB-man

If they rename the black bay the Tudor submariner I'll eat 50 wings and enter the Boston marathon. Same day.

Looks like you might have to start training!!

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Benjo74

They said it was being done by Tudor to make it more rare and therefore more desirable, which makes no sense at all.

Makes a lot of sense. Creating 'halo' collectible versions of anything in your product range all helps to create brand desirability.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Any truth in this, I have heard that they will not be making any more Black Bay Blacks.

I can totally believe it if they plan to make Black Bay with inhouse as ETA is restricted. I think the plan would be as ... say Black Bay is discontinued and stopped its production for couple of years and they end up selling every Black Bay made and then after 2 yrs break launch the Black Bay with inhouse and with the name 'Black Bay' on the dial. There's no point just to introduce inhouse directly with this overlap and so many Black Bays out there in the market. This way they end up selling all ETA Black Bay and also create huge excitement for the inhouse Black Bay. My 2 cents!

[Maxy]

^^ I have one more theory to believe this news that Black Bay is the vintage model/design reintroduced just to give Tudor jumpstart in US market and all over. Now that has been achieved, Tudor will continue with the new watch designs (on the lines of Pelagos, North Flag etc) and move forward. In their minds there is no point to continue regular production of a watch designed as a vintage throwback(with older Tudor logo) and don't see it as continues production for next 10-20 years, it has to stop at sometime. I think Tudor Black Bay has done its job by bringing Tudor to the forefront and now its new designs holds the future!

[Benjo74]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

Makes a lot of sense. Creating 'halo' collectible versions of anything in your product range all helps to create brand desirability.

Good point - I hadn't thought of it in that way. I was thinking, "why would they stop making something that they can sell lots of?"

That said, I just walked in Watches of Switzerland at Heathrow T5 and the salesman gave me the same line about them stopping production of the black bay black.

They did have one on display though. Until I bought it!



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[themaninblack]

I have read through this thread and still can't find a basis for this rumour other than, "I have heard".

[Pangit]

Originally Posted by Benjo74

Good point - I hadn't thought of it in that way. I was thinking, "why would they stop making something that they can sell lots of?"

That said, I just walked in Watches of Switzerland at Heathrow T5 and the salesman gave me the same line about them stopping production of the black bay black.

They did have one on display though. Until I bought it!



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Nice one

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by Benjo74

Good point - I hadn't thought of it in that way. I was thinking, "why would they stop making something that they can sell lots of?"

That said, I just walked in Watches of Switzerland at Heathrow T5 and the salesman gave me the same line about them stopping production of the black bay black.

They did have one on display though. Until I bought it!



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[airchitect]

I'd be greatly disappointed if Rolex....I mean Tudor did this with the BBB... I mean, whats the real difference between that and the "special addition" Speedy's Omega tends to roll out all of the time?... not to mention, why would you get rid of what I assume to be the best selling version of a model? Just seems ridiculous. Can you imagine any company saying "yeah, they sell like gangbusters but we want them to be "special" so we are going to stop production".... especially on such a relatively low end model in the company's broad portfolio. I'd be less surprised if the Pepsi GMT was a limited run, Platona, or the RG YM.....

[ZeKe]

Hope the rumor is true as I just put a deposit on one (the only one my AD had on bracelet), but find it unlikely. They might update the movement, but don't see them pulling it all together.
I'm not convinced that discontinuing BBN would make them more money short/long term; it would just make the BBN more valuable.
it is interesting to me that production does seem rather low for a watch that (I believe) they are more than capable of pumpping out in great numbers as its not a new watch. After all it's only the bezel that is "new".

We'll see!!!

[illusionest]

I've read somewhere that ETA (swatch) has been trying to limit its movements to its own Swatch Group companies, rather than supply its movements to its competitors (which makes sense). I expect we'll see more in-house movements from companies that normally use ETA (i.e. I think Oris is trying to do in-house as well).

Which means, we should expect to see more and more Tudor watches using in-house movements (fantastic movements I should add. I own the blue Pelagos). Pelagos, North-Flag, and who knows whats next. With some tweaking, they will probably eventually swap their entire line to in-house movements.

It'll be quite exciting to see in-house chronographs and GMTs based off the MT5612, in the same price range, for the other Tudor watches like the Heritage Chrono and Black Shield. Chronos have always been.... primarily 7750 and siblings in this range.

[lee fowler]

Had this re confirmed today once the UK stock is gone, that is it.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by cop414

I would hope that this isn't true, although as mentioned it could be introduced as a new model with the in house movement. I'd just hope that if that's the case that they don't add a bunch of text to the dial, now that would be a crying shame.

Indeed, if they upgrade it then please let it just be the movement. The watch is perfect.

[Boothroyd]

The only problem with upgrading the movement is the case would get thicker, as it did with the Pelagos.

[Abdullasaif]

Wont happen soon

[Timekeeper_ca]

Just spoke to an AD here in Canada. They have 1 BBB with SS bracelet in stock, expecting a shipment next week with BBB on canvas band, and never heard of such a story.

[Memphis]

Originally Posted by Timekeeper_ca

Just spoke to an AD here in Canada. They have 1 BBB with SS bracelet in stock, expecting a shipment next week with BBB on canvas band, and never heard of such a story.

i think people are confusing low stock or delayed deliveries with BS story from ADs trying to sell them anything they have on hand and avoid re-ordering.

[GerardoG]

Well, we are meeting Tudor execs in a few weeks! That will be one of the questions for them.

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Well, we are meeting Tudor execs in a few weeks! That will be one of the questions for them.

Can't wait to hear their response Gerardo.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Indeed, if they upgrade it then please let it just be the movement. The watch is perfect.

It could be a little cheaper.