Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark Limited Edition (Incl. Video Review)
The sports chronograph by Tudor, in a limited edition inspired by the "All Blacks" and the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
It’s rather unusual for Tudor to launch a watch outside of Baselworld… What is even more unusual is a Tudor limited edition (except one done with Harrods and one with Bucherer). This explains why today’s launch is a bit of an exception. As one of the official sponsors of the All Blacks (New Zealand’s national rugby team) and as the 2019 Rugby World Cup is about to start in a few days from now, Tudor introduces a perfectly matching new model. Meet the Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark Limited Edition ref. 79360DK. And check the video on top of the article to see it in action and in details.
Back to Black (Bay Chrono)
The Tudor Black Bay needs no introduction anymore. It is the signature collection of the brand and has been its bestseller for over seven years now. But let me refresh your memory on a slightly controversial topic: the Black Bay Chrono.
Chronographs have always been important for Tudor, especially since the early 1970s and the introduction of the Tudor Oysterdate Chronograph 7031 and 7032, as well as the “Montecarlo” 7149, 7159 and 7169 – more details about these watches here. Even when Tudor relaunched in the early 2010s, the chronograph was a predominant complication in the collection, with the Heritage Chrono.
In 2017, the brand decided to add a chronograph to its Black Bay line, mixing racing-inspired elements (tachymeter bezel and overall toolish look) with the classic diving attributes of the collection (200m water-resistance and Snowflake hands). This watch generated a great deal of discussion, despite being a successful, mechanically interesting and fairly priced timepiece. Something we discussed at length in this article. At Baselworld 2019, Tudor introduced the Steel-and-Gold model. And while the latest already gave an indication of the road chosen by Tudor for its chronograph, the newest version we have with us today is making things clear: the Black Bay Chrono is a racing chronograph first and foremost, and its black attire makes it even stronger.
All Black, Black Bay… Dark
This new Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark ref. 79360DK couldn’t be more obvious. A full-black watch to celebrate the “All Blacks”… Still, being simple sometimes and going straight to the point is better than trying to find a justification to a limited edition.
So here it is: you’re in front of an entirely black PVD-coated version of the Tudor Black Bay Chrono. What changes compared to the standard steel version we mentioned above? In fact, apart from this Physical Vapour Deposition (a thin-film technology originally developed by NASA for its various space programs), not much. However, visually, this changes the watch quite dramatically.
First things first, what doesn’t change is the dial. We still find this domed, grained and matte background on which are displayed two sub-counters (small seconds and 45-minute register), central hands for the hours, minutes and chronograph seconds and a date at 6 o’clock – on a white disc, which balances the dial and echoes the round applied hour markers. One could argue about the snowflake hands, which don’t feel totally appropriate here, but once again, they are part of the collection’s DNA. We’re not going to enter this debate again.
Moving to the dial’s periphery, the bezel retains its tachymeter scale – which establishes this watch as a racing-oriented piece – but on the contrary of the steel model, the bezel features a black anodised aluminium disc and isn’t solid steel anymore; the reason is resistance to scratches. The pushers are PVD-coated, just like the crown. All are screw-down, guaranteeing a solid 200m water-resistance. However, screw-down pushers are not the most practical when it comes to start and stop the chronograph function.
The case itself retains is 41mm diameter, its satin-brushed surfaces and the signature bevel on the side of the lugs. It might be a chronograph but it has all the attributes of the Black Bay collection. The case and case back are PVD-coated too. Finally, this Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark is presented exclusively on a metallic bracelet, without the vintage riveted style. It is full-black too and comes with a folding clasp and safety catch.
Manufacture Chronograph Movement
Inside the case of the Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark 79360DK is the Manufacture calibre MT5813, which we all know is based on the Breitling B01 architecture. This is an integrated automatic movement with modern features, such as a vertical clutch and column wheel to actuate the chronograph functions. No doubt here, this is a very solid offer powered by a well-known movement with a superior reputation.
Before being cased-up by Tudor, the movement is modified, with the addition of specific elements on the regulation. It comes with a non-magnetic silicon balance spring and a variable inertia balance – two elements to improve reliability and precision – and the movement is chronometer-certified by COSC. Other difference with the Breitling version, the Tudor calibre MT5813 is finished with sandblasted bridges – which allows for a lower price and which doesn’t matter much since the movement is hidden behind a solid, screwed caseback.
Thoughts
What are our thoughts about this new Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark? I’m usually not a fan of blackened watches. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this Dark version of the BB Chrono. While the steel model was probably “too metallic” (it lacked contrast), this Dark edition feels more appropriate as it visually makes the watch more compact and it enhances the racing style of the piece – and thus is more coherent.
What remains true is a superior quality of construction, a great movement and solid package considering the price of this watch.
Price and availability
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark reference 79360DK is a limited edition, with the same number of timepieces as All Blacks players since the team’s creation in 1903 to the RWC 2019, or 1,181 timepieces at the time of writing. The number will be adjusted according to the final composition of the World Cup team. The series will grow over the coming years as new players join the ranks of the All Blacks. This will be made clear on the back, with a special engraving indicating the serial number of each timepiece.
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark will be priced at EUR 5,600. More details at www.tudorwatch.com.
12 responses
I wish Tudor hadn’t done this. I remember talking to Sven Olsen about Tudor and the fact that Tudor ‘didn’t do limited editions’ last year at the release of the Black Bay 58 & GMT models. It’s a difference that separated Tudor from a great many Swiss watch brands which seem to be properly milking the idea of limited editions. Something Panerai has done to death and IWC started doing more recently.
The Harrods and Bucherer only models aren’t really limited editions in the strictest sense (as in numbers produced/available) but limited in so far as they’re only available from specific locations – I think this is a pretty cool thing to do but please, let’s not start bringing out different models that are limited to x number of pieces…
All that black. And STILL a white date wheel.
It beggars belief really.
@JAGOTW – It would be much worse with a black date wheel… check this https://mowa.dev/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tudor-Black-Bay-Chrono-Dark-79360DK-2-1.jpg
I think the date marker works in both white or black on this dial. It’s a case of symmetrical balance: either with the rest of the hour markers (if in white), or with the two subdials (if in black). But it’s all academic, and it’s a good-looking watch. Bit thick at 15mm, but it’s not meant to be a delicate thing and has good W/R.
Sorry Brice, I much prefer the linked image. Apart from that it works better than the original, which always looked a bit too much like the kind of thing a Humvee owner would buy. The price is not terrible.
I was wondering about the case thickness. And maybr you are as well since that isn’t mentioned anywhere here.
@Erik… I mentioned it in the video, but now thickness and lug-to-lu size have been added to the specs.
Limited to 1181 is almost nothing for such a brand. And the number won’t really grow the next years. Yes for every new all black rugby player they’ll add one…. that means an average of 10 pieces ….PER YEAR.
This will be sought after and very hard to get, probably sold out already
It’s in fact the first ever limited edition Tudor. The harrods and Bucherer are not really limited, still available and already made in a bigger quantity.
Not a fan of black watches on my wrist, but I do think this is one of the better looking all black watches out there. Might have been more full on Darth had the date wheel been reversed to black, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt that they looked at that too and didn’t like it. And would it even be a Tudor without the snowflake hand? It works and they own it, why not do it?
I’ve become overwhelmed with special edition anything. If it’s worth manufacturing, commit to it and add it to the line. I get the marketing behind it, ‘buy it while you can or you’ll never be as cool as the rest of the lucky buyers…’ Well I’d have to ask why buy a Tudor for $6k+ when I could buy an older Submariner or Sea Dweller in the same price range? Bazinga!
At the end of the day, buy what you love.
I think it’s a great looking watch and prefer the date as it is now, better for my eyes 🙂 would have loved if a second strap was added to the package. Tudor quit adding an extra strap some time ago, I think that’s a shame. A bit of confusion on the eu retail price I was quoted €5620 minor difference. I think it’s priced competitively concerning the specs of the movement. Would love to get my hands on one.
Hi all. Very interesting Tudor watch as I like black watches very much. Does anyone know the Brand/Name/Model of the black watch that Frank Geelen is wearing himself in the video review? Thanks for your help.
Hi Sebastian, the watch I’m wearing is a Porsche-Design P’6540 Heritage Chronograph, which is a limited edition of 911 pieces of some years ago.