Since the company’s restart almost ten years ago, Tudor has truly flourished. Releases like the Black Bay 58 are to thank for the brand emerging from the shadow of big brother Rolex and becoming a significant player in the luxury watch market. The tudor black bay 58 has a huge fanbase and is usually hailed as one of the best divers and everyday watches available, making it arguably Tudor’s most well-liked current model, at least among watch enthusiasts. However, does the BB58 live up to all the hype? We engaged directly to learn for ourselves.
First Impression – Mid-Century Cool
The design of the BB58 is so flawless that it’s difficult not to be impressed. Everything about the design works, from the red triangle on the slender black aluminum bezel to the generously domed sapphire crystal to the symmetrical no-date layout on the matte black and gilt-accented dial. It can be very difficult to update a 1950s design, as Tudor has done here (the watch is, of course, based on a Tudor Submariner from 1958), such that it works flawlessly for today without looking like it’s trying too hard, yet the BB58 easily does this task.
The Case – Just right
When the first Tudor Black Bay was introduced, admirers adored the diver’s classic style, but not everyone liked the watch’s hefty profile and 41mm case size. It was by no means a massive watch, but it was unquestionably bigger than the classic divers it was modeled after. With the BB58, Tudor made up for this omission because it is considerably more in keeping with the mid-century design with its 39mm size and 11.9mm thickness. You can create the ideal vintage-styled diver by combining its compact dimensions with its thin coin-edge bezel, big unprotected crown, and beveled lugs.
The Dial – Glittering Pleasure
Thankfully, Tudor didn’t make a mistake with the dial design of the Black Bay 58, which would have negated the case’s excellent vintage look. When it comes to imitating retro style from the 1950s and 1960s, the dial is equally as well realized as the case. Tudor used contemporary-looking Super-LumiNova offset with gilt text and gilded snowflake hands and indices on the matte black dial to avoid the dreaded “Faustina.” The contrast is perfect since it gives the watch a traditional, vintage look without appearing overly effortful.
Pure Perfection – On the wrist
The Black Bay 58’s measurements are ideal, as we’ve already noted, so it’s no surprise that the watch wears beautifully. With wrist sizes ranging from less than 6.5″ to more than 7.5″, everyone in our workplace was completely enamored with how the BB58 wears. While still striking and cool, it is graceful and cozy. We honestly can’t think of anything we’d modify about its on-wrist performance because it is adaptable enough for a wide range of wrist sizes and practically any circumstance.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t anything we could find wrong with the BB58. Its movement is a reliable performer, its historical design is flawlessly done and not in the least bit corny, and its measurements ought to serve as the standard for all contemporary dive watches. At the end of the day, it’s obvious why Tudor’s Black Bay 58 has become such a success, and it gets us pumped about the brand’s future.