Tudor’s Black Bay collection which debuted in 2012 has become a runaway success for the Swiss brand. For 2023, Tudor has expanded the range with a new compact version of the popular dive watch that is closer to the proportions of the brand’s earliest watches. Aptly named the Tudor Black Bay 54, it is very close to the first Tudor Submariner from 1954, which makes it a very appealing proposition for Tudor collectors. Downsized to 37mm in diameter, the Black Bay 54 has been launched in a single colorway. The steel case features a familiar overall design of the range; however, there are some subtle changes. The rotating bezel has a black aluminum insert with no hash marks. Furthermore, the bezel also features a new profile for the grip edge, which brings it to closer vintage no-crown-guard Tudors.
Underneath the sapphire crystal is a slightly-domed black dial with familiar gilt-printed minute track and applied indices. However, one thing you’ll notice is that there’s no date indication, unlike its bigger siblings. Powering the watch is the in-house MT5400 movement, which can also be found in plenty of other Tudor models. The COSC-certified automatic movement runs at a rate of 28,800vph and offers a power reserve of 70 hours. The movement stays hidden behind a closed caseback, which helps in giving the timepiece its impressive 200-meter water resistance. The Black Bay 54 can be had with a riveted stainless steel bracelet with the brand’s T-Fit micro-adjustable folding clasp, priced at CHF 3,650 (roughly $4000). There’s also the option for a black rubber bracelet fitted with steel endlinks, which retails for retails for CHF 3,450 (about $3750).
