Tudor Introduces The Black Bay Pro And Black Bay GMT S&G
Tudor’s novelties released at Watches & Wonders 2022 were some of the most hotly anticipated. And if you are looking to add a classically inspired GMT watch to your collection, you’re in luck. Two new GMT models join the Tudor Black Bay family. The first is The Black Bay GMT S&G (steel and gold). It’s a steel-and-yellow-gold version of the popular “Pepsi” Black Bay GMT, equipped with a black-and-brown 24-hour bezel, echoing the modern Rolex “Root Beer” colorway. The second, and our favorite here at Fratello, is the Black Bay Pro. This beauty is a steel-bezeled GMT inspired by the classic Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655.
Both watches use the same in-house COSC-certified Tudor caliber MT5652. The Black Bay GMT S&G comes in a 41mm two-tone case, and the all-steel Black Bay Pro comes in at 39mm. A bracelet option is available for each of the two watches. There’s a two-tone bracelet for the S&G and a steel bracelet for the Pro. The S&G’s bracelet uses solid gold elements in the end links, but the rest of the bracelet is gold-capped. Drawing inspiration from both Tudor’s and Rolex’s past, these timepieces offer classic looks with the convenience of modern watchmaking.
The Black Bay Pro And Black Bay GMT S&G
You’ll see Tudor’s classic snowflake hands turning over the black dials of the two watches, protected by the domed sapphire crystal. The Black Bay GMT S&G uses the same GMT hand as the Pepsi Black Bay GMT, but in a warmer gold tone, matched by the full hand-set. Inside of the rotating gold bezel, the watch features an anodized aluminum insert in black and brown with gold numerals for the 24-hour scale. The S&G is a refined option and offers a more than suitable counterpart for the popular Pepsi GMT. Two-tone is definitely on the menu in a big way over at Tudor.
My personal favorite novelty from Tudor has to be the Black Bay Pro. Looking to the Rolex back catalog for inspiration, it gives the classic Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 the Tudor twist. A fixed steel 24-hour bezel with black numerals surrounds the deep black dial. The watch’s tool aesthetic is enhanced by the matte hands. Additionally, an oversized snowflake GMT hand in a light shade of orange fully completes the watch’s tribute to the 1655.
Both of these pieces are available on a hybrid leather-and-rubber strap, as well as one of Tudor’s signature woven single-pass straps. The two watches have 200m of water resistance, so whether you opt for the Pro or the S&G, you’ll be able to enjoy your watch in every possible scenario.
Final Thoughts
I believe that most of you will agree that Tudor did not disappoint this year. Both the Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G and the Black Bay Pro are definite highlights of this year’s Watches & Wonders. Especially for those of us who enjoy attainable tool watches! Personally, I think that the Black Bay Pro will be a hard one to resist. Perhaps it’s the perfect alternative to my hunt for the Rolex 16570, and Tudor’s more youthful spirit and attainability definitely resonate with me. Both of these new GMT models offer a fantastic option for those who want to enjoy iconic designs without going with the vintage alternative.
What are your thoughts on the Black Bay Pro and Black Bay GMT S&G from Tudor? Let us know in the comments below.
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