Tudor is a brand rich in Swiss heritage with a direct ancestry link to Rolex. The Tudor Black Bay pays homage to a history in producing world-class divers watches. The Tudor Pelagos can withstand depths to 500m with the ever popular LHD model (with crown on the left side). Here we take a look at the Tudor Dive watch collection.
all images courtesy TudorWatch.com © unless otherwise stated
The Tudor Black Bay is available in many different styles and formats from discrete unassuming models to fully functional 43mm dive watches. Built to the highest modern standards – the Tudor Pelagos is the definition of a luxury quality dive watch.
A short History of Tudor Divers
It was in 1954 that the world was introduced to the first TUDOR divers’ watch. That watch was the TUDOR Oyster Prince Submariner – reference 7922. It was an automatic (self-winding) watch and the first in their collection with guaranteed water resistancy. To achieve that it’s case featured a screw-down back and a crown whose water resistancy was guaranteed to a depth of 100 metres.
It featured over-sized, luminous hour markers and hands for easy reading at depth underwater. It also included the essential dive time bezel graduated in 5-minute intervals. On the dial were printed the words “OYSTER PRINCE” under the Tudor logo and “100 m = 330 ft”, “SUBMARINER”, “ROTOR”, “SELF-WINDING” on the bottom four lines. More history here > TudorWatch.com (external link)
Rolex origins since 1926
The Tudor brand was established in 1926 when Hans Wilsdorf (Rolex founder) said:
For some years now, I have been considering the idea of making a watch that our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that would attain the standard of dependability for which Rolex is famous. I decided to form a separate company, with the object of making and marketing this new watch. It is called the TUDOR watch company.
tudorwatches.com
and that’s why many of the older Tudor watches bear the Rolex logo and brand name on their cases, case-backs and bracelet buckles. So now you know why every watch collector should own a TUDOR watch, let’s go shopping …
Tudor Black Bay
The current Black Bay models are the culmination of over Sixty years of TUDOR diving experiences. A depth of experience and history distilled into one iconic watch. The new Black Bay is powered by Tudor’s own mechanical automatic (self-winding) movement.
The origins of the Black Bay date back to 1954 and the launch of reference Oyster Prince Submariner ref-7922 (shown above). This watch heralded the beginning of a long line of ergonomic, legible, accurate and robust divers’ watches. Importantly, a feature sometimes overlooked by other luxury brands – the Black Bay is still and always has been an understated, functional and reliable underwater tool.
Examples of current Black Bay models
Certified Genuine Tudor Black Bay & Pelagos on eBay
Discover a selection of genuine Tudor Diver’s watches – all covered by the industry respected eBay Authenticity Guarantee ✅. Why risk buying a Tudor Black Bay or Pelagos with no provenance or certification when you can purchase one with zero risk on eBay. The certificate of authenticity comes with NO COST to the buyer whatsoever – it also makes re-selling the watch a lot easier in the future. Click the banner below to browse the latest offerings. This is a direct link to eBay with filtered results to show only the best authentic Tudor watches on the market today.
Ernest Jones – Tudor UK Authorised Dealer
Our shopping partner for customers in the UK is Ernest Jones – an Authorised dealer for Tudor watches in the UK. Please click the banner below to browse their wide range of watches from leading brands including Citizen, Seiko, Bell & Ross, Breitling, Omega, Bremont, Tudor, G-Shock and TAG Heuer to name just a few
Examples of Black Bay discovered on eBay
eBay is a great place to go to check a) the current prices of a specific watch and b) to see what the watch looks like in the “real world”. Most product photos on eBay are taken with great care to best represent the watch. You get to see what it really looks like (not a computer enhanced brochure photo)
All the watches shown below have been sold this year on eBay. It might not be the first place that springs to mind when looking to buy, or sell, a Tudor watch – but it’s definitely worth checking. Many watches selling for over £1,500 (or $1,500) in the UK (USA) are covered by the eBay Certificate of Authenticity. Keep an eye out for the BLUE TICK on the listing. If it’s got the BLUE TICK – you know it’s a 100% genuine Tudor – independently certified.
images © eBay under EPN permissions
Unique “Snowflake” hands and the Big Crown
TIt’s a watch that draws its distinctive features from past models in the Tudor’s long history. The domed sapphire crystal has taken inspiration from the original TUDOR diving watches. The prominent winding crown features on the 7924 reference of 1958, a watch known as the “Big Crown”. Most instantly recognizable are the characteristic angular hands aka the “Snowflake” hands. These were originally found on the Tudor Dive watches used by the French National Navy in the 1970s.
Black Bay Technical Specifications
- Five year Guarantee : Five-year transferable guarantee with no registration or periodic maintenance checks required
- Case : 41 mm steel case with polished and satin finish
- Movement : Manufacture Calibre MT5602 (COSC) Self-winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system
- Power Reserve : Power reserve of approximately 70 hours
- Winding Crown : Screw-down steel winding crown, with the TUDOR rose engraved and black-lacquered, with blue anodised aluminium winding crown tube
- Waterproofness : Waterproof to 200 m (660 ft)
- Bezel : Steel unidirectional rotatable bezel with disc in matt blue anodised aluminium
- Dial : Black with grey index, domed
- Crystal : Domed sapphire crystal
- Bracelet : Rivet steel bracelet with folding buckle and safety clasp
What to pay for a pre-owned Tudor BLACK BAY
Most popular in the Black Bay range is the reinterpretation of their classic dive watch from 1958 – the Tudor Black Bay 58. A good pre-owned example of the Black Bay 58 will attract anywhere between £2,500 to £3,400. Also in much demand is the Tudor Heritage (79230) available in several colour schemes including 79230B – Blue bezel, 79230R – Red bezel, 79230N – Black bezel and 79230G – Green bezel. All models have a BLACK dial and gold hands and detailing. A clean full set example of a Heritage 79230 is valued between £2,200 and £3,300 – specific price depends on the specific model.
Tudor Pelagos
The Tudor Pelagos is a masterpiece in underwater timepieces – a culmination of years of developing watches for diving professionals. The Pelagos is an example of a tool watch – possibly the most complete traditional mechanical dive watch on the market.
To further support this claim the The Pelagos was awarded the “Sports Watch” prize at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. All serious professional divers’ watches are certified waterproof to 200 metres – there are several models of the Pelagos rated to 500 metres (1,640 feet).
Current Models from the Tudor Pelagos Collection
Specification of the Pelagos m25600tn-0001
- Five year Guarantee : Five-year transferable guarantee with no registration or periodic maintenance checks required
- Case : 42 mm titanium and steel case with satin finish
- Movement : Manufacture Calibre MT5612 (COSC)
Self-winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system - Power Reserve : Power reserve of approximately 70 hours
- Winding Crown : Titanium winding crown with TUDOR logo in relief
- Helium escape valve at 9 o’clock
- Waterproofness : Waterproof to 500 m (1,640 ft)
- Bezel : Unidirectional rotatable bezel in titanium, graduated over 60 minutes with ceramic matt black disc and graduations with white luminescent material
- Dial : Black with white index
- Date at 3 o’clock
- Crystal : Sapphire crystal
- Bracelet : Titanium bracelet with folding clasp and safety catch in steel with bracelet extension system developed and patented by TUDOR
Pelagos FXD with French Navy collaboration
The latest addition to the Pelagos collection is the new Pelagos FXD. As with all other models it comes in a titanium case – this one being 42 mm satin brushed. Like previous Tudor timepieces before it – the FXD was developed in close collaboration with a special unit of the French Navy. Following a set of unique specifications the Pelagos FXD is designed for professional underwater navigation.
Pelagos LHD – for Left Handed Divers
How many other brands make a special watch to accommodate 10% of the world’s population. Available in both left-hand with the crown on the LEFT and the more regular right-handed versions – crown on the RIGHT. Named the LHD for “Left Hand Drive” – the Pelagos LHD for left-handed divers features a winding stem positioned to the left of the case. This rare feature means the watch can be worn on the right wrist. In a nod to its past, the TUDOR Pelagos evokes the brand’s history of dive watches designed specifically for left-handed professional divers.
What to pay for a pre-owned Tudor PELAGOS
Very popular are the Tudor Pelagos 25610TNL (with it’s Left Hand crown) and the Pelagos 25600TN and 25500TN – right hand crown, titanium case and domed sapphire glass. A nice clean pre-owned example of the 25601TNL will sell for approximately £2,500 to £3,400. Pay more for a full set model with box, papers and original receipts. The regular right hand crown 25600 and 25500 models will fetch a similar price.
Further Reading & External Shopping Links
It’s simple, free and greatly appreciated if you can show your support for ChronoDivers. Just click on the shopping link below to browse the selection of Tudor watches either on eBay or with our shopping partners (where available). You don’t need to buy anything – just click the link – thank you very much!
- eBay Guaranteed Authentic – a filtered selection of Genuine Tudor watches (eBay)
- Ernest Jones Authorised dealer – browse our shopping partner’s Tudor collection
- Official Website (external link) – Tudor Watches