Tudor Heritage Black Bay with Blue Bezel ref. 79220B (Live photos & price)

A few weeks ago, we gave our thoughts on the possible Tudor 2014 novelties. We knew, within the team, that blue was the big crush for the aficionados of the brand and linked to the past of Tudor. We were craving for a blue Pelagos and instead, Tudor comes with a blue bezel Heritage Black Bay, a simple but really nice looking declination of the previous model that you’re used to find in burgundy. Let us introduce the NEW Tudor Heritage Black Bay ref. 79220B.

The Tudor Heritage Black Bay is a tribute to the past of the Tudor Company, especially to the 1954 Submariner ref. 7922. It brings back the idea of diving watches made by Tudor, with a reinterpretation of the case, dial and – of course – snowflake hands. If you look at the brand’s history, you will notice a famous and really appealing model, the blue Submariner “Marine Nationale” ref. 9401 (you can find the picture at the end of the article). Delivered to the French Navy, those watches featured a blue bezel and dial and snowflake hands; very well known to collectors and highly sought after. Tudor is now giving us a modern interpretation of that special watch – without creating a copy.

Back in 2012, Tudor presented the Heritage Black Bay in an unusual colour scheme – Burgundy bezel, black dial, gilt markers – that some of the collectors found a bit too ‘busy’ and hard to match with the rest of their outfit. So let’s be honest, the presentation of the blue version is a very good move from Tudor. First, the reminiscence of the blue is a link to the history of the brand but it also differentiates their watches from the big brother Rolex and its Submariners.

The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Blue keeps all the attributes of the “old” one: 200m depth rating, 41mm stainless steel case, typical submariner shape – with the lovely bevelled angles on the lugs – a big crown without protection guard, a domed sapphire (used to be domed plexi on the vintage), a slightly domed dial and the snowflake-style hands. What it brings in 2014 is colder colour scheme. The bezel is now in a dark navy blue and the markers / minute track on the dial are in polished silver grey. Minor changes on the paper, major difference on the wrist.

In order to keep a very reasonable price, the Tudor Heritage Black Bay – as the rest of the Tudor range – features a simple but reliable ETA movement (here a calibre 2824-2) that will last for years without any issues. As for the burgundy version, the blue one will be available with a blue fabric strap and a steel bracelet at CHF 3,250, or with a blue fabric strap and a second strap in blue aged leather for CHF 2,950.

The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Blue is for most of us here at Monochrome-Watches a very good move from the brand and shows once again that Tudor is really trying to get back in the game, with serious products and nice looking watches. So Tudor, what about (our) a blue Pelagos for Baselworld 2015?