As Rolex’s sister brand and one of the hottest commodities in watchmaking today, anticipation ran high at this year’s Watches & Wonders for Tudor to announce its 2021 releases. Rumor has it that collectors are more than thrilled with the five new launches to the brand’s collection. Perhaps the biggest news from Tudor for 2021 is the new white-on-black and black-on-white Black Bay Chronos. This new model pays homage to the 1970 Oysterdate model — its very first chronograph. There are two new faces in the Black Bay Chrono collection, a panda and a reverse panda with either an opaline (panda) or a matte black (reverse panda) domed dial. The 41mm case has been reworked in satin-brushed and polished stainless steel, with a fixed bezel (also in steel) and a black anodized aluminum insert with a tachymetric scale. Fans will also want to take note of the “Snowflake” hands, a Tudor divers’ watch signature.
Tudor has also introduced a Black Bay Fifty-Eight rendered entirely in 18K gold with an open caseback — two firsts for a Tudor divers’ watch. It is matched to a green dial and aluminum bezel. This timepiece keeps the mid-century style of the original with a 39mm and satin-finished case. But the overall effect is not too vintage as this one has a more modern matte look while the metal itself has a warm, greenish tinge. Powered by the Manufacture Caliber MT5400, you can dress the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K up or down — it comes with two straps in either a green Jacquard fabric with a gold band or a dark brown alligator.
The gender-neutral Black Bay 41, 36, and 32 models have all the hallmarks of the Black Bay family, including those familiar angular “Snowflake” hands and Tudor’s lineage with divers’ watches. Tudor is all about offering options to its collectors as they are making the classic Black Bay available in a selection of sizes ranging from 32mm up to 41mm. The models are also available with bracelet options: A Jacquard fabric, leather strap, or a 316L steel bracelet. Furthermore, you can select either a black or blue lacquered or silver dial with applique hour markers, and the design of the display makes it easily scalable to different case sizes.
1926 is the year “The Tudor” was first registered as a brand on behalf of Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf. With the Tudor 1926, the brand is renewing its commitment to Tudor’s commitment to producing high-quality watches. The 1926 models come in 28, 36, 39, or 41mm in a 316L steel case or a rose gold and 316L steel case. All of the models feature refined touches like domed dials with an embossed center and smooth minute scale. There is even a version with diamonds. These delicate designs are available in silver, opaline, white, or black, with applique even-numbered Arabic numerals between faceted arrow-shaped hour markers. There are also versions where the odd-numbered hour markers are set with diamonds. The 1926 is fitted with either the Swiss self-winding, chronometer grade mechanical Calibre T201 for the 28mm model or the Calibre T601 for the other sizes.
For more new watch news, check out Hublot’s Big Bang Additions for 2021.