Words: Aobh O'Brien-Moody
TUDOR’s Black Bay Chrono is a classic design beloved by watch enthusiasts the world over. Blending aquatic and motorsport heritage, the model is easily distinguishable by those in the know for its signature sleek and sporty look. Now, the already striking chronograph has been given an impressive update, in the form of a boutique exclusive with a rich blue dial and bezel.
TUDOR Black Bay Chrono "Blue" Boutique Exclusive, £4,880, tudor.com.
A vision in blue
Over the decades, TUDOR has pioneered multiple blue hues in several of its designs – from the Heritage Chrono Blue to the FXD MN21 – leading to the concept of ‘TUDOR Blue’. This notion refers less to a specific shade of the colour than its permanence throughout the TUDOR collections. The Black Bay Chrono “Blue” taps into the Swiss watchmaker’s rich tradition of incorporating blue dials into all the lines of the collection, with its deep yet subtle blue dial that attracts just the right amount of attention.
Iconic features
In keeping with the iconic Black Bay aesthetic, the Black Bay Chrono model has made the famous “Snowflake” hands – a signature of TUDOR’s dive watches since 1969 – its own. This version, made with Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova® luminescent material, ensures optimum legibility on the blue domed dial. Other notable features include a dial layout with a 45-minute counter and a date aperture positioned at 6 o'clock, inspired by the first generation of TUDOR chronographs; the satin-brushed and polished finishes, bevelled lugs and TUDOR rose signed crown, all preserved in a steel case with a 41-millimetre diameter; and a five-link stainless steel bracelet with a rapid adjustment clasp for comfort and practicality.
Power and precision
Powering the Black Bay Chrono “Blue” is TUDOR’s Manufacture Chronograph Calibre MT5813, which displays hour, minute, second, chronograph and date functions. It boasts a 70-hour power reserve and a silicon balance spring, its performance exceeding the standards set by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.
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