By Tyler Frederick
Odd one out
If you’re into watches, you’ve heard of Tudor. While many refer to Tudor as the little brother/sister company to Swiss watchmaking legend Rolex, I’ve noticed Tudor has made a much bigger splash in the watch collector landscape over the last decade with emblematic and popular releases of their own. I often refer to Tudor as the “fun Rolex” or the “party Rolex,” with their many variations of the iconic Black Bay and the fact that Tudor has knocked it out of the park release after release. It’s been a dangerous couple of weeks, as I’ve had the opportunity to check out one of my grails and an odd variation of the Black Bay. The watch on my wrist is the Tudor Black Bay P01.
Origins of the Black Bay P01
What can I say? I like em’ weird. The P01 is the most unique design in the Black Bay family, and I gravitated to it immediately after its release in 2019. However, this technically isn’t a new design from Tudor. P01, “Prototype 01,” was designed in the 1960s to create a more reliable and accurate dive watch. Due to the technology available at the time, dive bezels weren’t as sturdy as they are today, and that would sometimes cause inaccurate timing, which is crucial, especially during deep dives. Tudor would devise a locking bezel system to ensure the most accurate timing possible. Fast forward to 2019, and a watch that’s almost identical with the same bezel locking system is released, the Tudor Black Bay P01.
Check out the Tudor Heritage Chronograph
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Key Features of the Black Bay P01
I’ve only seen this watch in pictures while scouring the internet, and getting one on my wrist, thanks to our friends at Gem Bijou, was a dream come true. It’s just as weird as people think, but it’s a unique wearing experience and doesn’t feel like your standard Black Bay or any other dive watch. With its 42mm diameter, 14.4mm thickness and 22mm lug width, the P01 is definitely robust and a little on the chunky side and something I often avoid, but because of the “coolness” factor, I’ll let it slide.
The overall aesthetic and the origin and purpose for its design make sense regarding sizing, and the feel on wrist is like nothing I’ve ever worn before. The P01 lets you know it’s there but doesn’t scream in your face, and when you look down at your wrist and see this badass, vintage reissue, you can’t help but smile. The feeling I got when first putting on the P01 was like meeting someone and just clicking for some reason; you’ve never met, and you come from different worlds, but for some reason, it just works.
Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 42mm Diameter 49mm Lug to Lug 14.4mm Thick /w Glass 22mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Case Back 200m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal /w AR Raised Indices Date @ 3 Snowflake Handset |
| Movement | Manufacture Calibre MT5612 (COSC) 26 Jewels 28 800bph 70-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Brown Leather /w Folding Clasp |
Tudor Black Bay P01
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Quibbles
Looking for quibbles with a watch you’ve loved for so long hurts, but sometimes, you’ve gotta do it. While I love the P01, I loved it from afar, and now, up close and personal, the central issue I’ve had with the watch is releasing it with the leather strap. While I agree, the strap does suit the watch very well; it’s comfortable and feels like home. I think a bracelet and a rubber strap should have been available, but I also understand that may have been a challenge due to the design of the end links. I’ve also noticed I’m a hit-and-miss with the asymmetrical crown placement; it depends on how I feel that day.
Final Thoughts
What can I say about the Tudor P01? It is different, it’s cool, and it feels fantastic on the wrist even if it’s a tad large. It was innovative in the 1960s and still features a unique bezel locking system in the modern version, along with a very contemporary COSC-certified calibre: the MT5612. There’s so much to love about this Black Bay variant, and I can’t recommend it enough. If you have the opportunity, please check it out.
Fun fact: this exact, pre-owned P01 is available for sale through Gem Bijou, so feel free to check it out!
Pricing & Availability
The Tudor Black Bay P01 retails new for $3950USD ($5420CAD). 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.
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OK-agreed.
However-you can fit an aftermarket bracelet. And, for me, I would have done a diver’s bezel. But for Tudor to acknowledge the existence of the prototype, and do a limited reissue is so, so cool
Agreed.