Tudor unveils a polar makeover for the Black Bay Pro, a long-awaited design upgrade.
Tudor Introduces the Black Bay Pro with Opaline Dial
Tudor has expanded its Black Bay collection with the introduction of the Black Bay Pro, featuring a striking opaline dial. The new model, launched in 2022, has drawn comparisons to the Rolex Explorer II "Polar" due to its GMT functionality and tool watch personality.
The Black Bay Pro retains its 39mm case size, 14.6mm thickness, and 20mm lug width, ensuring perfect proportions. The watch's design follows Tudor's Black Bay language, with a fixed steel bezel and a modern interpretation of the iconic Black Bay aesthetic.
The opaline dial enhances legibility with black-outlined ceramic hour markers and hands, making it easier to read in various lighting conditions. The yellow GMT hand stands out more dramatically against the white dial, adding a touch of vibrancy to the watch's design.
The Black Bay Pro is powered by the in-house Manufacture Calibre MT5652, a COSC-certified chronometer with a bidirectional rotor system, a silicon balance spring, and a 70-hour power reserve. This true GMT movement was developed with Kenissi, a sister company of Tudor.
The Black Bay Pro is available with three strap options: a riveted steel bracelet, a hybrid black rubber and fabric strap, and a Jacquard fabric strap with a black background and a yellow stripe, manufactured by Julien Faure, a 150-year-old French company specializing in jacquard weaving.
The steel bracelet features Tudor's T-fit clasp with five positions of micro-adjustment, allowing up to 8mm of extension without tools. This makes the Black Bay Pro a comfortable and adaptable watch for various wrist sizes.
In comparison to the Rolex Explorer II "Polar", the Tudor Black Bay Pro offers a more affordable alternative, retailing at $4,375 on the bracelet and $4,050 on straps, significantly less than the $10,250 price point of the Rolex Explorer II ref. 226570.
The key differences between the Tudor Black Bay Pro with Opaline Dial and the Rolex Explorer II Polar primarily lie in their design details, size, movement, and brand-specific features. The Tudor model emphasizes new stylistic elements and versatility with its varied straps and bracelets, while the Rolex embodies the traditional explorer aesthetic, known for its anti-magnetic features, robustness, and long power reserve.
The Tudor Black Bay Pro with opaline dial is immediately available through Tudor boutiques and authorized dealers.
[1] Tudor Watches Official Website [2] Rolex Watches Official Website [3] Hodinkee [4] WatchPro
- The Tudor Black Bay Pro, with its opaline dial and GMT functionality, is part of an array of smart-home devices and gadgets that seamlessly blend technology and style, making it a striking addition to Tudor's collection.
- Complementing its collection, Tudor offers various strap options for the Black Bay Pro, including a Jacquard fabric strap manufactured by a 150-year-old French company, demonstrating the brand's commitment to fusing technological prowess with fashionable gadgets.
