Despite all the technical innovation, artisan dials and bejewelled beauty on show at Baselworld 2014, no watch writer worth his (or her) salt can ignore the latest pieces from Tudor – this is the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Blue.
In 2010 Tudor were the darlings of Baselworld with their Tudor Heritage Chrono, in 2011 they followed up with the silky, silvered Tudor Heritage Advisor and last year the Heritage Black Bay lounged beneath the dazzling Baselworld spotlights with an equally striking burgundy bezel. The Black Bay Blue swaps the rich tone of its predecessor for a pelagic deep blue, a colourway which is also picked up with the now synonymous crown tube. This time there’s no pinky patina, just a matte black dial as a backdrop for the stubby “snowflake” hands and the chunky dots and dash markers.
The Tudor press notes invite us to pay attention to the Black Bay’s “vintage lines” and indeed there are subtleties to be admired – domed sapphire, elongated lugs, the contrasting finishes and the more than adequate crown, which measures up on just the right side of out-size and, there is plenty of lume on those generous markers – well worth turning back your cuff after dark.
The piece has a steel case measuring 41mm across and is powered by the ETA Calibre 2824 with water resistance of up to 200m and a power reserve of 38 hours.
When Tudor first revisited their 1970′s classic, it was spot-on for the new highly lucrative retro niche. “Vintage-styling”, and “Wrist presence” have become over-used terms in the aftermath of Baselworld, but I have to admit that the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Blue has an abundance of both. It comes presented on NATO but also in the box will be a spare of your choice, either bracelet or aged leather – it’s perfect, really.
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