A month ago, we started a series of articles about the best watches we've ever had.
The idea was for each author to describe their favorite watch - the one that served them faithfully and brought them the most joy. My watch comes with a slight "twist": technically, I never owned it, but for over a year, it lived on my wrist as if it were my own. When I had to part with the Tudor Black Bay Pro, I knew it wasn't the end of the story. The next chapter would soon begin. Let me explain how it all happened.
The Beginning: From Rolex to Tudor
As often happens, this story doesn't start with Tudor, but with Rolex. If you are a regular reader of WatchTested, you know that the number one watch on my wish list is the Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16600. I was lucky to wear several versions of this model for an extended period. If I had spent money on such a watch in the past 20 years, this story would be about the Sea-Dweller. But that didn't happen, and they still top my wish list. That's how the story turns to Tudor. But first, a bit more about Rolex, where it all began. Because it wasn't the Sea-Dweller.
A Deep Love for Rolex
Like many watch enthusiasts, I have a special attachment to Rolex. It's a personal connection based on several stories. Firstly, the brand has long sponsored my favorite sport - tennis. Ever since I started watching tennis as a child, I've always seen the Rolex name on the central court scoreboard. Moreover, Rolex advertisements constantly appeared in the tennis and car magazines my father bought. This created a sense of admiration for the brand that never left me. Several years ago, I wrote a series of articles about The Crown's outstanding advertising campaigns over the decades, clearly showing how the brand has always been able to touch readers' hearts with vivid stories.
When I first began exploring the world of watches in the early 2000s, I liked several brands. The first was Omega, because I grew up seeing my father wear his beloved Omega Seamaster De Ville, purchased with money he saved from his first job. The second was Rolex. In the early 2000s, the brand's collection featured remarkable models that I still love today. The first that comes to mind is the Rolex Submariner ref. 16610LV "The Kermit". Later came the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116718LN and Rolex Milgauss ref. 116400GV - great watches that could be purchased by simply visiting a Rolex boutique. But it wasn't just about the new models, as many know, the magic of Rolex often lies in the brand's rich history.
Turning to Tudor Black Bay Pro
This is where the story of the Black Bay Pro begins. After becoming familiar with Rolex's rich heritage, you will eventually make a list of favorite classics. For me, this list has always included models like the GMT-Master ref. 1675, Pre-Daytona ref. 6238, Daytona Paul Newman ref. 6241, and Explorer II ref. 1655. The latter is the perfect tool Rolex for me, thanks to its unique appearance.
The sturdy stainless steel case with a bezel made of the same material, the unusual two-scale dial, and the large arrow-shaped hand set these watches apart. I liked this distinctive style because it exuded character. But classic Rolex watches always come with a corresponding price. While the GMT-Master ref. 1675 remained relatively affordable until about ten years ago, the Explorer II ref. 1655 always cost more than €10,000. Even twenty years ago, prices ranged from €10,000 to €15,000, making these watches classics I adored but considered out of reach.
When Tudor released the Black Bay Pro in 2022, it became a major topic at Watches and Wonders. If you were a reader of WatchTested then, you surely remember the controversial article questioning whether Tudor was a "poor man's Rolex." This concerned the Black Bay Pro, reminiscent of the classic "Freccione," and the two-toned Black Bay GMT, inspired by the legendary GMT-Master "Root Beer."
Although Tudor always draws inspiration from Rolex, the brand often references its own historical catalog. However, these two models had no direct predecessors at Tudor. As a result, many wondered what was happening. This prompted us to write an article that sparked lively discussion among readers. Even within the WatchTested team, opinions were divided. This led to writing about why the Black Bay Pro is the perfect watch for young collectors.
Attachment to the Black Bay Pro
I had the opportunity to spend time with them, and they started to grow on me. I quickly realized that these watches were a story of their own. Of course, they largely echo the legendary Explorer II ref. 1655, but since the Freccione wasn't on my potential purchase list, the Black Bay Pro conveys the same vibe. Meanwhile, Tudor's designers have brilliantly "Tudorized" the model.
Firstly, they eliminated the inconveniences in the design of the first Explorer II. Additionally, they managed to make the watch genuinely Tudor. The signature hands with an additional 24-hour GMT hand play a key role here. The "snowflake" hands provoke different opinions: some dislike them as a standout element, but for the Black Bay Pro, they are perfect.
The bright 24-hour hand adds just the right dose of color needed in the overall palette. I like that it's not bright orange, but a soft shade. Moreover, it harmonizes with the "200m:660ft" inscription on the dial. The beige tone is consistently repeated on the hands, date disc, and luminous hour markers. Together with the 24-hour hand, it's a very pleasant combination that contrasts wonderfully with the black dial. Add to this the bracelet with faux rivets, which many dislike but I appreciate, as it gives the watch extra character. Finally, the MT5652 caliber provides practical GMT functionality in a pilot-style watch.
How Black Bay Pro Became "My" Tudor Watch
In the end, I got a watch that I quickly fell in love with. But there was one aspect that puzzled me. At first glance, the Black Bay Pro seemed quite bulky. Nevertheless, I never shied away from wearing thicker watches. Simply admitting that the Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16600 is at the top of my wish list explains a lot. But with the Tudor Black Bay Pro, it's not so much about the thickness - 14.6 mm - but the flat sides of the case, which emphasize the height and make the watch resemble the white cliffs of Dover.
I had the chance to see if my opinion of the Black Bay Pro would change when I tested them on a series of Forstner bracelets. It was a great opportunity to wear the watch for an extended period and get to know it better. In the end, I wore them for over a year. Initially, I swapped bracelets, but quickly realized the Forstner Model O was my favorite option. It makes sense, as this Oyster-style bracelet is a sensible replacement for the original Tudor bracelet. It removes the controversial faux rivets, making the watch resemble a genuine 1970s Rolex Oyster. Some early versions of the Explorer II ref. 1655 were delivered with riveted bracelets, but most had the improved Oyster without them.
The Unique Feeling I Was Looking For
After several weeks of wearing the Black Bay Pro, they quickly became my daily watch. The massive case didn't bother me. Moreover, I liked the thick profile because it created a sense of reliability - a watch that could withstand anything. The feeling of wearing a watch you love for its design, yet not being afraid to damage it, is quite unique. It's the perfect balance between appearance, build quality, and price that fits the budget. For me, the Black Bay Pro is the ideal watch for everyday wear without worries. And every time I looked at them, I was reminded of how much I love their design. I only had this feeling with the desired Sea-Dweller.
This led me to choose the Black Bay Pro as my favorite daily watch for almost 18 months. As expected, this created the feeling that they were mine. I always knew they would have to be returned, but the longer you wear a watch, the less you think about it. When the time came to part ways, I was completely calm. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to wear many different watches, so returning the Tudor Black Bay Pro didn't evoke any special emotions. Only after some time did I realize I missed them. When a colleague asked me about it, I admitted that I felt a longing for them - a feeling I only had with the Sea-Dweller. After wearing them for so long, no other watch was able to give me the special feeling that the Black Bay Pro did.
What Does "Best Watch" Really Mean?
As I already explained in one of our articles about the Rolex Explorer ref. 16570, "best watch" is not an objective term in this series.
"We are not talking about objectively the best watch, because that wouldn't make sense. It's about the watch we would call the best subjective ownership experience."
Although I never owned the Black Bay Pro, I did have the ownership experience. Therefore, when discussing this series of articles, I immediately knew I should write about the Tudor Black Bay Pro. I've written about these watches several times. The last time was when the version with a white opaline dial was released last year, and I pondered the future of the Black Bay Pro. In the article, I expressed hope that Tudor would make a thinner version, and that hope remains.
However, the current dimensions didn't bother me for a second. And while writing this article, I felt that this was just a reason not to buy the current Black Bay Pro. So I know what to do - I'm making room in my collection to pursue the Tudor Black Bay Pro. It's time to make it happen and finally become the owner of the watch I've loved for so long. In late 2023, when reflecting on my plans for 2024, I wrote that Thomas told me in one of our conversations: "Hearing you talk about these watches, they will surely come to you." I think it's finally time to take the decisive step in 2026 - two years after I first mentioned it.