The Tudor BB GMT is the most infuriating watch I have ever owned

[the dark knight]

So this is my second foray into this watch. I owned it in 2021 and sold it as I found it a bit too big/heavy/uncomfortable. Caveat (at least in my mind) was that I only wore it on the OEM bracelet. But it is such a beautiful watch I wanted to give it another try, so I purchased it again and have been wearing it on a Forstner jubilee. Its much more comfy than the OEM, but I still find it a bit uncomfortable.

This is infuriating as from a pure aesthetic standpoint this is probably the favorite watch I own (along with my 62MAS influenced Seiko SLA043). I love the red/blue on the aluminum bezel, it's perfect and the colors just pop in the right way everywhere on the watch - bezel, dial, indicies, etc.

Seeing the way Tudor is going, I think it's a near certainty the GMT line moves to a 39mm case, maybe as soon as this year. But my hunch is initially they won't offer that with a Pepsi bezel. And that still won't solve the thickness issue as seen with the BB Pro.

[Dubshack]

What size wrist do you have? Wear it tight or loose?

Wears just fine for me.


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[tifosi]

Sounds like you need a 1675/16750....

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Sounds like you need a 1675/16750....

Wearability of the 6 digits are just fine, I have a 116710LN that feels awesome. So I may just shoot for a BLRO.

[Dynamite_Kid19]

Saw an interesting theory someone had on YouTube, forgot who posted it. He theorized that Tudor won't make a 39mm or thinner GMT anytime soon because the current gen movement is how they are recouping the cost of developing their original thicker 3 hand movement. By converting it to a GMT after they developed the thinner 3 hand movement.

People still seem to be buying it, thickness be damned even if they complain about it.

I would love to see thinner GMT's for sure.

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[tifosi]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

Wearability of the 6 digits are just fine, I have a 116710LN that feels awesome. So I may just shoot for a BLRO.

The 116710LN is one of if not the best wearing Rolex sports models I've ever owned. That's a high bar to try to clear with any other watch.

[amh]

It is flabby - but that's part of the Tudor "design language" it seems (along with snowflake hands on virtually everything.)

My SA tried to push the Tudor on multiple occasions.

"I'd like to buy a BLNR"
"How about this Tudor GMT instead?"

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by Dynamite_Kid19

Saw an interesting theory someone had on YouTube, forgot who posted it. He theorized that Tudor won't make a 39mm or thinner GMT anytime soon because the current gen movement is how they are recouping the cost of developing their original thicker 3 hand movement. By converting it to a GMT after they developed the thinner 3 hand movement.

People still seem to be buying it, thickness be damned even if they complain about it.

I would love to see thinner GMT's for sure.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Well they put that movement in the BB Pro which is 39mm. So diameter shrinkage is definitely possible. Thickness no, because of the movement as you state.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by amh

It is flabby - but that's part of the Tudor "design language" it seems (along with snowflake hands on virtually everything.)

My SA tried to push the Tudor on multiple occasions.

"I'd like to buy a BLNR"
"How about this Tudor GMT instead?"

Ehh... it was true 5-10 years ago. But they are making a serious push to try to shrink their watches a bit. Look at the BB Pro, BB39, P39. Even the BB Chronos shaved a bit off thickness.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by tifosi

The 116710LN is one of if not the best wearing Rolex sports models I've ever owned. That's a high bar to try to clear with any other watch.

Agreed. And that could be a tad unfair to the BB GMT. I bet if it was my only watch I'd just wear it all the time and get used to the size. Just swap in/out straps here and there to change it up and give my wrist a break.

But when I have a couple of Rolex sports watches and also watches like the Pelagos 39, the BB GMT unfortunately feels like a brick on the wrist when I swap it in. Having said all that, nobody is going to convince me it wouldn't be a better watch overall if it was in the BB39 case. But the movement obviously makes that impossible.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

Agreed. And that could be a tad unfair to the BB GMT. I bet if it was my only watch I'd just wear it all the time and get used to the size. Just swap in/out straps here and there to change it up and give my wrist a break.

But when I have a couple of Rolex sports watches and also watches like the Pelagos 39, the BB GMT unfortunately feels like a brick on the wrist when I swap it in. Having said all that, nobody is going to convince me it wouldn't be a better watch overall if it was in the BB39 case. But the movement obviously makes that impossible.

If the BB GMT was 39mm, I'd own it. I've loved the look of it since it was released.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by tifosi

If the BB GMT was 39mm, I'd own it. I've loved the look of it since it was released.

I'm on the fence about that. Have you tried on the BB Pro? It's 39mm but still a pretty thick watch. It definitely felt more comfortable than the BB GMT (also aided by the T-fit in the clasp), but still has that hockey puck thing going on.

I do think they will move to the 39mm for their GMTs maybe as soon as this year, but not sure if they will do the Pepsi bezel initially.

[Dynamite_Kid19]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

Well they put that movement in the BB Pro which is 39mm. So diameter shrinkage is definitely possible. Thickness no, because of the movement as you state.

You are correct, meant thickness downsized.

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[tifosi]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

I'm on the fence about that. Have you tried on the BB Pro? It's 39mm but still a pretty thick watch. It definitely felt more comfortable than the BB GMT (also aided by the T-fit in the clasp), but still has that hockey puck thing going on.

I do think they will move to the 39mm for their GMTs maybe as soon as this year, but not sure if they will do the Pepsi bezel initially.

I have not tried on the Pro. I have not seen one in a showcase yet. At least not that I remember. That for the Pelagos 39 for that matter.

[GrantD]

I had a similar experience, I added an unclestrap ½ link and problem solved.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

still has that hockey puck thing going on.

.

The whole Black bay 41mm line has that hockey puck feel, and I do find it to be an eye sore at times. However, my black bay blue has a lot of sentimental value so I found that when I wear it on a leather strap it definitely makes a huge difference in how it wears & looks. I have mine on a shark skin strap so its still ready for the water.

[samson66]

I personally love the look and feel of the BB41 lineup. It's not supposed to fit like a Submariner. It has it's own look and shape and has a ton of wrist presense. If you want a more comfortably Tudor get a 58 or wait for a 58 GMT as you point out is likely to happen. Many people with larger wrists like the BBGMT just the way it is.

[Dan Pierce]

I love it just the way it is.
dP

[mk2jag]

I own the BB GMT and the Rolex GMT. both great but very different....Once you stop focusing on the size and thickness of the BB its a pleasure to wear and own. My wrist is 6.5 and Its a no issue for me...

[amh]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

Ehh... it was true 5-10 years ago. But they are making a serious push to try to shrink their watches a bit. Look at the BB Pro, BB39, P39. Even the BB Chronos shaved a bit off thickness.

That is true. It will be interesting to see where they go next. So to Tudor's credit they have made some thinner cases and also shown they're willing to ditch the faux bracelet rivets. Good moves.

Next suggestion: Ditch the snowflake except for divers

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by samson66

I personally love the look and feel of the BB41 lineup. It's not supposed to fit like a Submariner. It has it's own look and shape and has a ton of wrist presense. If you want a more comfortably Tudor get a 58 or wait for a 58 GMT as you point out is likely to happen. Many people with larger wrists like the BBGMT just the way it is.

Agreed Mike

[MickCollins1916]

I’m in a similar boat. Wanted to love it. Owned it twice, sold it twice.

I tried wearing it on an Everest strap, I tried it on various natos, the OEM fabric, picked up an US half link, but it always felt heavy and sluggish on my wrist for whatever reason, if that makes sense. Wasn’t for me.

The thickness was somewhat of a factor, but I picked up the BB Pro, which is as thick on paper, but some of that’s the crystal, and with the T-fit clasp, sizing problems completely solved.

If the BB GMT was 39mm and between 12.5-13.5mm thick, with otherwise-identical specs and features, it’d be a contender for an only watch for me (not that I’d ever do such a thing…).

[carwash66]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

I love it just the way it is.
dP

I agree Dan. Currently have it on an Erica’s Originals strap. Very comfortable on OEM leather and also on Everest rubber.

[TBC123]

Weight and thickness of watches is a personal thing but for me it’s the defining factor I love about the BB Pro which is roughly same thickness as GMT. Gives a reassuring feeling and it feels tank proof. When I put on my Rolex sub it feels somewhat too light by comparison.

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

I love it just the way it is.
dP

I have to agree Dan having just picked one up a couple of days ago.

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

I’m in a similar boat. Wanted to love it. Owned it twice, sold it twice.

I tried wearing it on an Everest strap, I tried it on various natos, the OEM fabric, picked up an US half link, but it always felt heavy and sluggish on my wrist for whatever reason, if that makes sense. Wasn’t for me.

The thickness was somewhat of a factor, but I picked up the BB Pro, which is as thick on paper, but some of that’s the crystal, and with the T-fit clasp, sizing problems completely solved.

If the BB GMT was 39mm and between 12.5-13.5mm thick, with otherwise-identical specs and features, it’d be a contender for an only watch for me (not that I’d ever do such a thing…).

This is actually quite promising, seems like you found the BB Pro comfortable. I firmly believe the BB GMT line will be re-introduced in the BB Pro's case, so that might be something to consider for the future.

[francoamerican]

i never expected when i first started collecting watches that rolex were a relatively thin watch for sports watches but it's amazingly so

[the dark knight]

Originally Posted by francoamerican

i never expected when i first started collecting watches that rolex were a relatively thin watch for sports watches but it's amazingly so

I mean TBF the 12-13mm thickness of a GMT or Exp II is nothing special when you consider the water resistance of 100M. I have an IWC that equals that at 10mm thickness, and an even thinner Nomos that has 200M.

What Rolex really does well, at least in my experience wearing the watches and many from competing brands, is overall comfort. They aren't amazingly thin or particularly small diameter wise for most models, but the cases and bracelets are designed extremely ergonomically and yet don't feel delicate. I can't think of a watch I've owned from a competitor brand that has put all this together quite as well. Maybe my new IWC Mark XX comes close.

[Tricolore66]

I have one and I get that. I don't wear it much because I just don't find it very comfortable. I eventually sold my Heritage Chrono for the same reason, and I rarely sell a watch. There's a night and day difference between the way the GMT and Black Bay Pro wear.

The Tudor oyster bracelets just lack the "refinement" of a Rolex oyster. I think it's a combination of the slight taper of the Rolex bracelet, better overall finishing, and maybe even the difference in 904L and 316 steel.

Originally Posted by the dark knight

So this is my second foray into this watch. I owned it in 2021 and sold it as I found it a bit too big/heavy/uncomfortable. Caveat (at least in my mind) was that I only wore it on the OEM bracelet. But it is such a beautiful watch I wanted to give it another try, so I purchased it again and have been wearing it on a Forstner jubilee. Its much more comfy than the OEM, but I still find it a bit uncomfortable.

This is infuriating as from a pure aesthetic standpoint this is probably the favorite watch I own (along with my 62MAS influenced Seiko SLA043). I love the red/blue on the aluminum bezel, it's perfect and the colors just pop in the right way everywhere on the watch - bezel, dial, indicies, etc.

Seeing the way Tudor is going, I think it's a near certainty the GMT line moves to a 39mm case, maybe as soon as this year. But my hunch is initially they won't offer that with a Pepsi bezel. And that still won't solve the thickness issue as seen with the BB Pro.

[cornerstore]

Black Bay Pro has same dimensions as 16800 Submariner 39mm/ 14.8 which is 40 mm with Bezel , so is larger than the Pro but similar in size to the Tudor GMT . Never hear that Subs too thick or chunky. I have the pro and I switch between it and my Daytona and after about 10 minutes on the wrist I have to look to see which one I’m wearing. But yes, the first couple minutes you put it on it does seem a little more substantial than a modern Rolex. It definitely has a tool purpose feel to it, which is what it was intended to be.