Luxury Tool Watch
The term Black Bay immediately conjures up images of vintage-styled dive watches with rotating bezels. But what you get with the Tudor Black Bay 41 is a versatile, luxury field watch in the same vein as the Rolex Explorer with an in house, manufacture movement.
Decidedly less “toolish” than its dive watch brethren (or its own “smiling” progenitor, for that matter), the Black Bay 41 received a facelift last year that included, among other things, the addition of Tudor’s MT5601–a COSC-certified chronometer.
While most people peg the Tudor Ranger as the brand’s answer to its sister’s Explorer, I would argue that the more sophisticated Black Bay 41 is the true Rolex-killer, offering superior flexibility to its wearer.
Key Features of the Tudor Black Bay 41
While we are featuring the 41mm iteration of the Tudor Black Bay here, it is, of course available in a variety of unisex sizing (31/36/39/41) and more than 50 different configurations which include two tone S&G and diamond-fitted dials.
Advertisement
But let’s not be confused by excessive choice. The Tudor Black Bay 41 stands on its own. Similarly sized with the new BB Burgundy, the BB41 is 50mm lug to lug, but considerably thinner at 12.3mm in height. It has an athletic lug width of 22mm, as well, and would look great on leather or a NATO.
Case finishing is king here, with a soft, velvety design devoid of sharp edges. Along the top of the mid-case line we have a vintage-styled bevel and satin brushed lug hoods, in contrast to the high polish of the sloped bezel and rounded flanks.
The screw down crown is large and flat and easy to manipulate. It has also been signed in the brand’s Tudor Rose. The case back is vertically brushed and predominantly sterile. It, too, is screw down and helps provide the promised 100m of water resistance.
I find the metallic sunburst anthracite dial to be particularly handsome, always evolving with the change in light. The layout is incredibly clean and well-balanced dial, devoid of numerals and dates. The plot, cream-coloured hour markers have crisp polished surrounds and make for a highly legible display, with a strong application of strong lume. We also have the telltale Tudor snowflake hands, but like the new BB Burgundy, there is the addition of a lollipop seconds.
The updated bracelet is a big deal. The five-link (okay, I’ll say it) jubilee-style band has extremely tight tolerances and a matching mix of satin and polish. It has contoured endlinks and a pronounced taper from the lugs to the clasp, as well, for a very comfortable wrist experience, And the T-Fit system allows for 8mm of “toolless” adjust. All in all, you couldn’t ask for better or more robust.
Inside, the Tudor Black Bay 41 now runs the in house MT5601. The COSC)-certified calibre is a self-winding, 4Hz movement with a solid 50-hour power reserve. It also features a silicon balance spring for increased anti-magnetic resistance.
Advertisement
SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 41mm Diameter 50mm Lug to Lug 12.3mm Thick 22mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Case Back 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Sunburst Dial Applied Markers Snowflake Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Calibre MT5601 COSC Certified Chornometer 25 Jewels 28 800bph 70-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Five-Link Bracelet /w T-Fit Clasp |
Tudor Black Bay 41
Advertisement
Final Thoughts
At less than half the price of a Rolex Explorer, the Tudor Black Bay 41 (or 31, or 36, or 39) offers up an excellent alternative. Unlike the Tudor Ranger, which is decidedly more utilitarian, the Black Bay 41 offers that hint of luxury that would allow you to pair it with a blazer or a full suit. Sure, the proliferation of polish will attract more scratches, but like all watches in the Black Bay stable the BB41 is a robust timepiece. Its water resistance and superior movement will allow you to confidently take this watch on your next outdoor adventure.
Moreover, its competitive pricing will allow enthusiasts an easier way into the world of luxury watches and manufacture movements. While the Black Bay 41 may have flown under the radar during its initial release, it is certainly worth a second look.
Pricing & Availability
The Black Bay 41 retails for $4 050 USD. For more information, please visit the brand website.
About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.
Please understand that using any links to products on this site might result in us making money.