Timepieces
THE NEW ‘BAY’ WATCH
Tudor’s Black Bay P01 combines today’s sporty style with a deep dive into the innovations of the past. While countless watch wearers around the world value having a Tudor on their wrist, few know about the company’s long history with the
drives the Black Bay P01 meets Tudor’s high
U.S. Navy. Beginning in the 1950s, Tudor began
standards for robustness, longevity and reli-
supplying the Navy with divers’ watches, and it
ability. It features an openwork rotor that is
eventually found lasting success with the Oyster
satin-brushed with sand-blasted details, and
Prince Submariner 7928. However, in 1967, the
its bridges and plate have alternating polished
company began to develop a new watch for the
sand-blasted surfaces and laser decorations.
Navy—one that would meet the specifications
Moreover, the Caliber MT5612 is certified as a
decreed by the U.S. government and incorporate
chronometer by the Official Swiss Chronometer
the results of the latest research into function-
Testing Institute. And, as might be expected, the
ality and ergonomics carried out by the brand’s
Black Bay P01 is waterproof to 200 meters.
top-notch engineers. This ambitious project, code named “Com-
The watch is fitted with a domed matte-black dial with painted luminescent hour markers;
mando,” never came to fruition, but many of
it adopts the signature Tudor hands with their
its features can be found in the just-released
characteristic angular shape, known to collectors
Tudor Black Bay P01 model (the P01 stands
as “snowflake;” and the 42mm steel case is entirely
for prototype 1). This cross between a diver’s
satin-brushed for a matte finish. The watch’s
watch and a navigator’s watch has been crafted
special hybrid strap has a rubber base with the
in a contemporary sporty spirit, while harking
“snowflake” motif on the back, finished with a
back to innovations developed more than 50
brown leather trim. Finally, with a 70-hour power
years ago. For example, the Black Bay P01
reserve, a wearer can take off the watch on Friday
model does not literally reproduce the proto-
evening and put it back on again Monday morn-
type’s unusual hinged-link system, but borrows
ing without having to reset and wind it.
liberally from it, providing a stop system for the
The result of subtle combinations of histor-
bidirectional rotating bezel via a mobile end-
ical aesthetic codes and contemporary watch
link at 12 o’clock.
technology, the entire Black Bay line, especially
The Manufacture Caliber MT5612 that
the P01, brings together the best qualities of 60
The Tudor Black Bay P01, which stands for prototype 1, was inspired by a 1960s design for the U.S. Navy.
years of Tudor divers’ watches, while remaining firmly anchored in the present.
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