TUDOR Relaunches Black Bay Chrono to Mark 50 Years of Chrono Production

Available at Simons Jewelers in Clayton

Photos courtesy of Montres TUDOR SA Company

You don’t have to be a race car driver or a scuba or sky diver to appreciate the technology and aesthetics of a chronograph – a specific type of watch that is used as a stopwatch combined with a display watch. To mark 50 years of producing chronographs, the prestigious Swiss watch brand TUDOR has relaunched its Black Bay Chrono model in steel with a reworked and updated -- read thinner -- case but the same functionality and precision.

The Black Bay Chrono was originally introduced as a diving watch. According to Al Schmidt, watch expert at Simons Jewelers in Clayton, “This model has been very popular. It has a classic look that draws people to it. The positive consumer reaction to the watch is why TUDOR chose to relaunch an updated version of this model to celebrate the company’s anniversary of producing chronographs.”

“The relaunched Black Bay is far from simply being an identical rerelease of a classic however,” Schmidt says. He notes that while there are many updates, the new watch still has a vintage look. “The internal mechanism functions the same, but it has also been re-engineered to be thinner along with the case. The watch is now only 14.2mm thick -- which is preferred today.

The watch is purpose-built -- not just cosmetic,” he adds. The new model still has the famous “snowflake” hands -- a brand signature for divers’ watches. It is waterproof up to 660 ft. “The Black Bay now is available with a satin-brushed and polished case in stainless steel with black anodized aluminum inserts as well as other options. The relaunched model now comes in three bracelet designs and a five-year transferable guarantee, without registration or mandatory maintenance checks.

“Anyone who wants reliability, durability, precision, and a high-quality finish will be pleased with this watch,” notes Schmidt. “TUDOR watches tend to appeal to those with a younger mindset,” he adds. “Typically, we sell them to men under 50 but we have sold them to men and women of all ages. Depends on your style and taste.” Simons Jewelers, located at 8141 Maryland Ave., has a large inventory of TUDOR watches as well as other brands and they provide watch repair and servicing.

Simons Jewelers, located at 8141 Maryland Ave., has a large inventory of TUDOR watches as well as other brands and they provide watch repair and servicing.

TUDOR is a Swiss-made watch brand originating in 1926 when “The Tudor” was first registered as a brand on behalf of the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf. He created the Montres TUDOR SA Company in 1946 to offer watches with the quality and dependability of a Rolex at a more affordable price point.