It’s been a busy couple of months for Tudor. First, they dropped their Watches & Wonders releases in which cool metal / colour combinations played a big part. Then they took a break for their Master Chronometer certified Black Bay Ceramic and now they’re back once again with their first ever boutique edition, the Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze.
As I said, cool metal and colour combos are a big part of Tudor’s 2021 lineup, with both the 18K and 925 versions of the Fifty-Eight offering very different feels, one in gold and green the other more monochrome. The new watch has much the same tonal thinking behind it, but with the patina of bronze centre stage.
It’s a material that until now Tudor had yet to bring to the retro styled Fifty-Eight variant of the Black Bay. It’s been on the larger versions before but having seen this, it suits the smaller watch far better. The basic characteristics are the same, meaning the 39mm case and oversized crown we all know and love, but in a lovely mix of bronze and brown for that aged, vintage sepia vibe.
The bronze in question isn’t one that actually patinas all that much. It has a relatively high amount of aluminium, meaning that while it’ll still age in the same way as all bronze, it won’t look dirty the moment it touches your wrist.
Underneath that gradiated bronze-brown dial is the MT5400. It’s not quite their new Master Chronometer, but it’s still COSC-certified with a 70-hour power reserve and silicon balance spring, so it’s still up there.
The Fifty-Eight boutique edition is available for the first time on a full bronze strap, though honestly I prefer the two-tone jacquard fabric number. Tudor do fabric ludicrously well and it’s less likely to colour on your wrist. If it does, you might want to wash more.
The new watch is beautiful and if I was ever going to buy into bronze it would be with this. I reckon I’d still rather have the 925 with its silver / taupe colourway, but this is a close second. It’s nice enough that I’m sure more than a few collectors will be heading to their nearest Tudor boutiques as soon as possible. After all, that’s the only place they’ll get their hands on it.
Price & Specs:
Model: Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze
Reference: M79012M-0001
Case/Dial: 39mm diameter x 11.9mm height, bronze case, brown-bronze domed dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Manufacture calibre MT5400, automatic, 27 jewels Swiss Chronometer officially certified by the COSC
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power Reserve: 70h
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Strap: Riveted bronze with satin-brushed finished bracelet with additional fabric strap
Price/Availability: £3,390 / CHF 4,300
More details at Tudor.
