TUDOR = Rolex - (50 years) | Tudor Black Bay Pro Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Want a 50 year old Rolex Explorer II, but don't have 30 grand? Enter the Black Bay Pro, Tudor's new and best GMT in my opinion. But is it TOO thick? Find out in this video.
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Join the Conversation at WatchCrunch: www.watchcrunch.com/Max/posts/the-black-bay-pro-is-more-wearable-than-you-think-10338
Could we get a christopher ward review? I am really interested in the brand and for swiss made watches, its actually priced really well.
YOU LITTLE SNEAKY SNEAK! I’ve got a BB Pro review coming tomorrow! 😂🙈🙈🙈 but yours is obviously a million times better than mine! Fantastic video!
Hah! I have spies in London ;) j/k, great minds think alike!
You're right again...
Never expected a Kim Kardashian reference in a watch video..Works for this one
Hehe, iono where I pulled that one from 🤷♂️
@@WatchCrunchOfficial Well if this was family feud top 4 answers on the board …Name something or someone who is thick ?…”Show me Kim Kardashian !”
An absolutely boring, tired, and completely unimaginative design by Tudor, once again. I’m usually a fan of heritage inspired pieces, but this watch is just the epitome of boring. It’s literally nothing more than another black bay, with a gmt hand. If Tudor’s intention was to pay homage to the original Rolex Explorer ll, I would say that they failed miserably.
I've got an extensive collection already and so am more discerning when adding a new watch. I was on the list for the BB Pro as soon as it was announced, but ended up taking a pass after trying it on my 7 inch wrist, on bracelet. The overall thickness isn't an issue for me, my 16600 Sea-Dweller is similar, but that slab-sidded, fat mid-case just ruins it for me. Is it too thick? For me personally, yes. I think the indices are too small too. It would have been nice if they could have used more of the maxi-dial size of Rolex indices. The rest of the watch (handset, diameter, bracelet, and bezel) I loved.
Yeah it's not perfect, but I personally think the maxi dials are a bit too heavy visually
i've owned many tudors. the last was the pelagos, which sat on my wrist like a brick and was a scratch magnet. they could learn and or two from seiko and citizen about hardening titanium if they cared
@@albundy3929 very disappointing. i have owned several steinhart titanium watches and the titanium is much more scratch resistant
I agree with you on the Pelagos, but I love the matte blue and the bracelet too much to move it on.
"cave spelunking" means cave caving
I tried on the BB Pro at my AD with the nato and was initially turned off because of how top heavy it felt. Glad I gave it another try because this wears so much better/different for me with the bracelet. I'm now waiting to purchase one.
Agree that it does seem that Tudor is a bit of a Rolex throwback. In reality, Tudor is the only watch brand that can blend in older Rolex designs with validity. They are the same family and that's great for all of us. Tudor on its own is a top watch brand with great value for the money. It's a breath of fresh air for people who love vintage Rolex yet with modern construction.
Glad it worked for you Isaiah! Enjoy the watch when you get it 😁
Thick slab sided and really just an expensive homage watch but the fans will still eat it up. I also dislike this 'like the old Rolex' narrative when they are still incredibly hard to attain and just as adored by the instagram poser mob
Absolutely stunning timepiece. I owned this same configuration and wear it everyday . This watch is definitely a keeper . Love it . Great video
Wow.. I'm wondering about that pollution...!! ....... 0.13
LOL my lungs!!
I enjoy your videos 👍🏼 keep making them while your health holds... And all of ours for that matter
Regards ,🇬🇧
It just doesn't look good to me. Even with your killer photography and pretty impressive sense of style. It is entirely possible that I just have bad taste though.
🤣 the self awareness and humility
@@WatchCrunchOfficial Haha I said possible, not likely 😉
One best released this year, it's a tool watch, it's okay for it to be "big bone" lol. I love it and It looks good on you btw.
Yes! "Big Boned" ;)
I just got mine yesterday. Love how comfortably it wears on the wrist. And the thickness is really a non-issue.
A great review from your end!
It's a great piece! Enjoy yours
Looked at one in A.D and tried it on. Way to thick. I really wanted to like it but it just looks stupid.
I wish people would stop comparing it to that old Rolex, if you want to compare it, it’s much more similar to the current explorer 2. We really should judge watches on what they are and give up on labelling and judging them compared to other watches unless they are realistic competitors.
I’m awfully glad I hadn’t seen those close ups when I bought mine, it does not loot great in macro but at normal scales it looks perfect.
Faux lume has negative connotations, personally I think the off white / cream coloured lume look great and really suit the watch, I don’t think it’s their to fake age, more that if it was bright white it would look too stark.
Personally I think it looks best on the rubber but I would have probably bought it on the metal bracelet given the option, I still may add one but I’m not convinced I’d want to use it. I hate watches that move on my wrist and I find this does not move at all but I wear it a fraction tighter than I would like.
I think the best thing about this watch is the size, 39mm really suits my 7 inch wrist. I was put off by the thickness and even in the shop I wasn’t sure but once I started wearing it, that issue goes away, for me it looks less chunky than the pelogos and a lot less chunky than a normal black bay.
The biggest negative for me is the gmt hand is a little distracting when reading the time, but I guess that is the trade off of having the gmt.
Mine has been very accurate, when testing it was -0.3 seconds a day.
All in, I absolutely love it and I’m on my way to the ad to see if I can see it on steel.
It's a blatant homage to the Rolex 1655 (which isn't a bad thing), so it's going to be compared to that watch. It's just a natural comparison to line the BB Pro up against the model it was heavily influenced by.
@@Portland_Living_Life I agree, a homage is not a bad thing but…. The black bay pro has a a very similar bezel and minute hand and it’s black, but the glycine did the stainless bezel first, had a black dial and a thin minute hand so feel free to compare it to that as rolex came after. Being inspired but others designs is natural.
The old Rolex's dial has 24 markers, most rectangular, the pro has mostly round markers and half as many.
The Rolex has an orange 24hour indicator, the pro has a yellow gmt hand, do people struggle to tell the difference?
The rolex has a barnacle, the pro has no cyclops
The Rolex has crown protectors, the pro hasn’t
Basically if the black bay pro is a homage of the old watch, they did an awful job, it’s much closer to the current explorer 2.
It’s a pretty cool watch from Tudor. Ridiculous thickness aside it’s extremely interesting, but for someone who has both the 42mm and 40mm Explorer 2, I simply struggle to find a reason to add this piece to my collection. There’s no room and no purpose for this watch to exist next to it’s bigger brothers from Rolex. If I were to buy this regardless, it would just be another watch that never gets a single minute of wrist time…
There's too much crossover between Rolex and Tudor designs. I own a few neo vintage Rolexes which include a 40mm Polar E2, 39mm Explorer, 40mm pre-ceramic Sea-Dweller & a non-date Sub. With each subsequent release of a new Black Bay or Pelagos, I can't justify adding any of them to my collection as none of them can replace any of my Rolexes. Although I do like the designs, tech specs and materials of the new Tudor releases, none have stood out to replace my Rolex collection. I was thinking about getting the Pelagos 39 but my 40mm Sea-Dweller kicks it's butt.
With both the Pepsi GMT and the BB Pro Tudor offered 200m of WR instead of the 100m of their Rolex cousins. And both Tudors are thicker than their Rolex counterparts. Which leaves two questions I'd love to see you address: how much of the ~2mm added thickness is due to the increased water resistance of the case? Basically every watch buyer would accept 100m WR in exchange for a thinner case -- so this matters.
Second, will Tudor release a BB Pro Polar in 2024 like they did with the GMT in 2023? Since the Explorer II Polar is far more popular than the black dial version (and the white dial GMT costs more used), I have to think that this will be in the cards at some point.
I tried both Rolex’s and Tudor’s, the Tudor wears much better in terms of l2l on my 6.25” wrist, but if u got huge wrist then probably get the Rolex
The comments regarding thickness are becoming exhausting. Everybody said the BB GMT was too thick. Then I put it on my wrist and absolutely loved it. This is the same crowd that wants every watch to be 39mm and also complains of wrist fatigue due to heft of watch. Pretty nit picky and ridiculous, seems like a lot of reviewers can’t find a real fault so these are the default complaints.
To me; the Tudor black bay Pro is just perfection
It's pretty close 😎
"Looking past dimensions on paper" literally applies to every single watch. I laugh at all the people who say things like, "If this watch were only 1mm smaller I'd be able to wear it." Really, bro? LOL. lug-to-lug > diameter, for example. lug-to-lug is pretty much the sole determinant of whether a watch will fit you. For me the that limit is ~54 with a seven inch wrist. And wrist SHAPE also matters. My wrist is flatter I guess, because I can wear what a lot of people would claim as being too big for my wrist size.
san martin makes a great homage!
Yea Rolex should have the Tudor logo and Tudor should use the Rolex logo. Its more accurate that way.
For me, I think the Ranger is next, then this. I love them both, but I feel the Pro already hits some of the notes I love about my BB58, so I feel less of a need to own it. I almost feel like a collection should have this OR the black BB58. If I had the blue I'd probably be gasping for this, though.
Thorough review. Love mine. Never worried about the thickness; my Helm Komodo is thicker. Even on a NATO strap. Solid watch; beautiful design.
time to wait for the perfect chance to try this on at some shop one day! 😎
This watch has grown on me.. but the gmt of the year, imo, is the Longines Zulu Time.
Also great, but even bigger 😅
Naw that shit ugly…
@@WatchCrunchOfficial But the Longines is a bit thinner, isn't it? Might have a little less "tuna can" shape.
@@WatchCrunchOfficial true but also not a homage of another brands watch, rather purely its own thing.
@@isaiahgray6415 Longines Zulu Time has a case diameter of 42mm compared to the 39mm Tudor BB Pro. Longines also has a lug to lug of 50mm while the Pro is 47mm. Although the Longines is thinner slightly those other dimensions does affect the overall feel of the watch on the wrist in terms of size.
Great review. Big fan of Tudor and glad to see they’ve introduced a new clasp and overall the package for the price is very good however the height of the watch is a big challenge. They seriously need to work on reducing it to explode as a brand imo
Yeah, it's almost too thick... Almost!
@@WatchCrunchOfficial all about compromise I guess. The 39mm does help it vs. The 41mm GMT
i don't know why youtubers are so afraid to call this what it is: too thick.
Totally agree
Love it. I have a skinny wrist, it fits surprisingly well. It's heavy but after a while you'll get used to it.
I've been obsessed with adding a 16570 to the collection -- but it's hard to justify paying almost double for something 30 years old when the BB Pro exists. First world problems!
The 1655 is the 70s version isn’t it rather than 16570…. 🤔
@@michaelmeredith912 yup absolutely correct. But the 1655 is way out of range for me, so the 16570 is the next best thing.
Got mine on the bracelet about 10 days ago. The thickness was a concern until I put it on- and it's no problem for me (7.25" wrist). It's virtually the same thickness as the Black Bay Ceramic which I have and like a lot. It might be on the border between too thick and very comfortable but it's on the right side of that line for me. The bracelet is fantastic and the clasp works better IMO than the Rolex Glidelock (and I have a few of them for comparison). Great piece for the $$$, nice review!
Exactly, if it was a tad thicker, would've been too much😅
How many Centimetres is your wrist @WatchCrunch? Thank you
Great review. I get it, on paper it seems thick but everyone is speculating without wearing it on the wrist… everyone that’s owned or worn one has stated the thickness is not an issue… I’ve had mine on bracelet for 4 months and I’m head over heels for it!
Love watch crunch!
It's just too thick, no justifiabke reason for it like 1000m water proof
1972 Rolex Explorer 1655: 13mm thick with time, date, GMT, and automatic
2022 Black Bay Pro GMT: 14.6mm thick with time, date, GMT, and automatic
Glad to see so much advancement in 50 years!
The BB Pro seems like a lazy cash grab. Slap the big MT5652 movement from the full size Pepsi GMT into a smaller case, adorn it design DNA mimicking an older and much greater watch, and collect the Benjamins. If Tudor cared, they would have instead used the considerably thinner BB58 movement as a base and added a GMT complication, resulting in a watch much closer in proportions to the original 1655. But every single review on YT, I mean every single one, even from the shill influencers (this guy isn’t a shill influencer BTW he’s legit), feels the need to either criticize or make excuses for the thickness. Tudor knew that would be the elephant in the room, but figured their name cache would carry them
Yeah it's sad we've not made much progress in that time. Only silver lining is that the new GMT has independent hour hand, but it's a small consolation 😞
It's just so weird that 50 years ago they could make a thin gmt watch. Why is it worse 50 years later?
Seriously! We are going backwards 🤦♂️
my wrist is actually small and thin, only 4.3cm thick. :(
Nice review Max. With the caveat that I haven't held any of the three GMTs I'm about to mention, in pics/video (and on paper) I lean toward Longines Spirit Zulu Time first, then Tudor's new Root Beer GMT second, over this one in regards to GMT releases this year.
It’s not the thickness that annoys me it’s now the overall dimension. The thickness works better on a bigger watch. I tried one on and it was just awkwardly small AND thick. The 41 is much more proportionate
Correct
Tell Tudor scumbags to add a 2.5 cyclops, good for sales
I got a 58 and love it, but would not consider anything thicker. I wish Tudor had a GMT with the same dimensions or at least more variations of the 58.
Wouldn't that be the dream 😊
Absolutely stunning watch , I wear mine every day love it . This one is a keeper
I got mine this week only waited 3 weeks from my AD. Love it not fussed about the thickness it looks ok on me
Congrats Robert 👌
I respectfully disagree. The Longines Spirit Zulu Time is the GMT of the year: more original design, better aviation and overall brand heritage, more dial depth and detail, more dynamic colors, thinner case, and also has an "in-house" true GMT movement (made by ETA exclusively for Longines, much like Kenissi making this movement for Tudor).
The Zulu is a close second for me but it's just too big on my wrist
I am in love with my Tudor BB 41 and the Pepsi BB GMT, no doubt, and I am not thinking of getting the Longines Zulu but I would also rank the Zulu as the GMT of the year
What a thicc boi
He's twerking it 😉
great review - picked one up in user condition (as should be since it's a tool) for under 2500. My first "luxury" watch purchase! At first I was deterred due to the rumors of thickness but after going back and researching it more, I actually fell in love - I chose it over the bb 58 because of the GMT and DATE function, I can't fathom watches without the date! I always assumed it was a big watch because all videos and photos make it look huge, but after getting it in person and seeing it for the first time as well as being on my wrist, it's actually quite small. I'm sure I can pull off a 41mm. Out of all the reviews I've seen on this watch, no one explains how to use the GMT function, would you be able to do a video showing that?
Nice but it’s too thick and too much of a Rolex homage. Imagine owning one 🤔 people will ask you (a) is that a vintage Rolex Explorer? (b) is it as thick as everyone says it is ? and meanwhile the Black Bay 58 is almost perfect in every way 👌🏼
I know Tudor is respected within some circles of the watch community but to me it just looks like you're overpaying to get the rolex look in a cheaper looking than list price knock off: tudor watches don't look like 4K watches. If you can't get a hold of a Rolex, there are plenty of similarly priced entry level luxury watches that look classy and hold up on their own merit. (Also if you can't get a hold of Rolex, might want to just wait for the market to crash over the next year and pick one up then).
Just discovered your channel. Why crunchy?
Anyway like your style of review and I wasn’t convinced about this watch but your review has made me think twice.
What a wonderful tribute to a Rolex that was a non functional copy of an electric Astronaut Bulova popular with the CIA but needed a new story for the newly non functional GMT hands so they trolled us all by saying is was for Cavemen.
This is stupidly thick
The only tudor I'm getting (only allowed one) will just be the standard heritage 41mm in burgundy bezel. I'm waiting for the price to go down a little on the grey dealer I buy from. Starts w letter J
I personally prefer the Heritage Black Bay 41mm in black and in-house movement.
If an off the shelf sellita 330-2 can come in with a thinner GMT at a lower price point, Tudor should not be given a pass with this thickness in all their GMT watches at a much higher price point
How is it that a small company like Nomos can manufacture in house movements that are so thin, and a massive brand like Rolex/Tudor cant? Sure, I guess the Bono’s movements can’t take the beating that the Tudor ones can, but come on now.
GMT of the year? Possibly. Seiko has said "hold my beer" with the 5KX GMT. Obviously not on the same level, though it will potentially make a market impact. Btw 14.5 is the same as my 2500 Planet Ocean, definitely doable. Not normally a Tudor fan, though this one is interesting. Thanks Max. ⌚️👍🌎
GMT field is heating up! Thanks David :)
i'd agree with the seiko, which can be had for $1100
I just wonder what difference the 200m water resistance makes to the dimensions. Most GMT watches offer 100m...
She is not thick, she is CURVY and I will get the BB pro this autum, if my AD is able to get one! Greetings Oni
Hi Max, as a potential buyer of this watch I am revisiting your excellent video. I have a question: a lot has been made of the Rolex Explorer influence on this watch, with some people ungenerously calling Tudor an homage brand. So: where does the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 GMT fit into this debate? Nobody has claimed that the GS is a Rolex homage, but the Seikos, if anything, have a greater similarity to the Rolex than the Tudor does... the presence of crown guards being an example. What's your take on this?
Great review. This is better than the Explorer II polar I picked up yesterday. But I will have this baby alongside it some day. Brothers ❤
I like your content. This Black Bay Pro is a beautiful watch. I would get it if it were 41mm as 39mm is too small for my taste but it is beautiful.
Tudor better than Rolex now.
I am not interested in this watch at all, I would buy of course the Rolex, or the Steinhart Ocean One Vintage GMT instead.
Tudor = Rolex - 50 years…except with better bracelets and better movements.
Cool , Yellow tint, so yellow snow ❄️ flake,🤔
Interesting about the size tho👍🏽
Nice review, though the watch does nothing for me. I don’t find the watch aesthetically pleasing.
Very good watch, the only things is the thickness. But no complain 5k watch can’t expect too much
Just bought one, I have large wrists and thought it might be too small if a little thick. I was wrong, I love it so much so I am considering parting with my BB Harrods as this is so much more versatile.
This watch is so hideous, not even your great cinematography can make it look nice to me. That said, your video work is great as always.
Aside from being thick---this is an incredibly beautiful watch.
Great watch. I got one recently and cant see the fuss about thickness. Versatile and looks great...understated.
Great content! I recently got the black bay and love it.
Looking at this vs ranger ? Thoughts!
big boned! lol thats great
I've never really considered wearing a 39mm my preferred size is 42 until i tried on the ranger and the pro.
Your video has shown me that depending upon what you are wearing this watch has completely changed my opinion due to the colours you were wearing that's a very nice watch I would consider however the snide bracelet is a no no
I want one, doss that say enough
I just love the title of this clip when it says Tudor equals Rolex. I assure
You that tutor does not equal Rolex.
Again, too thick. Will you give us a 13mm already!
One word - "BUSY AS H*LL" - make that 3 words
Cheers
It’s not my cup of tea it’s looks like a Steinhart a Rolex copy and it’s a way to high
I'd love to try one on. Visually I think it looks better than my 16570.
No thanks, I’ll wait for the seiko 5 GMT for $500.
I like the Pro but can't get past the fake rivets. It looks the best on the a matching nylon strap.
Nice watch, but the level of finishing on the handset visible on those micro shots feels a bit sluggish
Great review, but I must agree with geno 816, the longines Zulu time is amazing!!!!!
Excellent and honest review of this watch. I'd love to get my hands on the BB Pro with the bracelet when (if) it becomes more widely available in Canada.
Thanks dude! It's a good one 😊
I think it’s an awesome watch, just wish they released it before i bought my BB58
Once this comes down to 12.5mm in thickness, I will be in line to get one no doubt
Excellent assessment, and quite well written!
The Los Angeles & the Griffith Observatory background are the pièce de résistance of the video - LA is my "Holy Land", and Griffith Observatory my Church.
Thanks Marcelo! Yes it was a fun shoot 👍
I like it, except that the hands and markers are yellowish.
14.5mm thick...that's old omega planet ocean thick. That was mygrail watch, but even so it's rather thick and turns me off being so thick.
Btw, I'm probably going to get some scammer replying to this like "I'm a financial advisor, call me at..."
Haha, I'm deleting those guys as they show up 😅
LOL This is thick guys, Tudor fan boys downplay the thickness. There's nothing wrong with that just saying that we shouldn't downplay the thickness. There are ways of making thicker watches look better than others, unfortunately here the slab slides just don't help it much. Also the 39mm makes it more stubby looking than the normal 41BB was. My 2 cents. Awesome watch regardless.
Stubby is a good description 😅
I'd call it the Black Bay Duty. Legibility is key for me, and 39mm just doesn't cut it for me unless there's no bezel. Nice discussion by the way.
I have an 8.5” wrist and it was too thick for me. Cheers
Pass.
Can't wait to pick one up. Just waiting for my local AD to get them in stock.
i dont like thick watches ,but so long it ain't a DRESS Watch but more of a tool watch/everyday watch , thicker is fine so long it dont feels HEAVY
Yeah it's pretty heavy though 😅
I have a question regarding the Blackbay Pro.
In particular regarding the holes milled into the underside of the clasp. What do these holes do?
The small holes in a line don’t seem to have a purpose. The actual locking mechanism for the quick adjust is the thin wide grooves hidden when in use. I would ask an AD but It’s unlikely they would know.
Hmm I'm not sure, I'll ask