Tudor Black Bay Bronze Ref. 79250BA - the triple B vitamin you need in your life

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Tudor Black Bay Bronze Ref. 79250BA was released this year at Baselworld. I got the chance to see it and have it on my hands even from the first hours of the Press Day. It was the first novelty seen live. As expected, it had a strong positive first impression. Now, after four months, a good impression is still there. A nice bronze watch, Tudor style. Here are the images from the presentation event and my conclusions.

Tudor Black Bay Bronze front view — The front view of the watch: strong Tudor language, cemented by the previous models

Review: Tudor Black Bay Bronze Ref. 79250BA

The Black Bay Bronze, or the BBB as the public likes to calls it, is a successful line of Tudor. The 2016 model won the “Petite Aiguille” prize at the 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. A powerful distinction and important recognition for the brand. The latest model, the Ref. 79250BA comes with a slate grey theme and the in-house Calibre MT5601.

Pressed by the time, I didn’t have the chance to make a more detailed video. But a glimpse of how the BBB behave on the wrist can be seen in the video below. I did have, at least, both strap versions on my wrist.

The presentation clip from Tudor is original and I loved its idea, so here it is:

The BBB case: born equal, aged unique

The Tudor Black Bay Bronze Ref. 79250BA comes with a 43mm bronze case (obviously!). The look is a bit massive, serious. But this is what I like about it. Looks like a tool watch. Like something I can depend on.

The beautiful rose decorated crown of the BBB

The BBB uses a high-performance aluminium-copper alloy. This will age in time according to the wearer’s habits: skin type, used medium, exposure to certain substances or air types and so on.

BBB case side — The solid case is adorned with a subtle brush that gives BBB a matt, satin finish.

The unidirectional bezel is made from the same material. The bezel is a typical diver type with 60-minute graduated disc in matt slate-grey anodised aluminium. The raised 12 o’clock gilded index is filled with SuperLuminova.

The top side of the bezel with 12 o'clock index. — The top side of the bezel with 12 o’clock index.

Dial: simple and effective

The fume dial is a loved characteristic between the vintage (and not only) watch enthusiast. Shaded from the exterior to the centre, the dial is not too busy. Only the important information is revealed: hour indexes, minutes/seconds register, brand name and logo, water-resistance and chronometric certification.

The applied indexes, volumetric numerals and dots are filled with SuperLuminova. The dial decoration has a gold theme. The indexes are gilded, the printing is realised with a bronze/golden ink. The entire watch is balanced and well colour coordinated.

Details of the snowflake hands and indexes

The skeletonised hands are shaped in the specific “snowflakes” hands. The hands are generously filled with luminescent, offering a nice spectacle in low light. But most important offers good visibility for the diver.

Manufacture Calibre MT5601

Tudor Black Bay Bronze Ref. 79250BA is powered by the Manufacture Calibre MT5601. Tudor is extremely proud of its movement. And I perfectly understand why. The widest diameter of all TUDOR’s calibres, the MT5601 measures 33.8mm.

The movement is COSC certified and offers a staggering power reserve of 70 hours, for a 4Hz, 28.800 vibrations per hour. The variable inertia balance permits micro-adjustment by screw and it is operated by a non-magnetic silicon balance-spring.

Calibre MT5601 is decorated mainly by sandblasting. Its rotor is skeletonised and bears the Tudor name. The bridges and the plate present alternating polished sand-blasted surfaces and have laser decorations.

The feel, the wrist shot, the conclusion

Tudor Black Bay Bronze Ref. 79250BA feels right on the wrist. It is a bit heavy, without being irksome or tiresome. The straps, leather or fabric have an authentic charm. Tudor gave a special care in consideration to these “less important” elements.

The pin buckle fitted on the leather strap

“In an aesthetic tribute to the brand’s naval heritage, TUDOR has identified the historic uses of its watches and reinterpreted them in its latest models. For example, the French Navy had TUDOR watches delivered without bracelets and then fitted them with their own straps, handmade or otherwise. One of them, found on a period divers’ watch kept in the brand’s archives, is made of elastic recovered from French rescue parachutes. This ultra-functional relic, recognisable by its gold-coloured thread, is the reference behind the slate-grey woven jacquard strap available for the Black Bay Bronze. A second option is an aged black leather strap whose straight cut accentuates the rustic effect.” excerpt from the official press release.

The watch feels great on the wrist. The BBB looks good on and of the wrist. I consider it has an excellent price, especially taking into account the in-house movement with COSC certification. Of course, it has all the advantages and disadvantages of the bronze cased timepieces. But not this is what we love about them?

Tudor has, in the person of the Ref. 79250BA an excellent proposal: a traditional aesthetic, modern watchmaking, competitive price. Well done Tudor!

More pictures in the article’s gallery.

P.S.: I have seen some extraordinary patina developed on some older model of the Black Bay Bronze.