Yep, it’s the start of the BaselWorld 2017 Fair and we’re reporting live from the fair each day but at the same time, we’re really picking out outstanding buys and highlighting them for you during this time so that you don’t miss out on these top picks as your social media gets flooded by a torrent of watch photos and videos.
You might have caught this already from some other sites, but this year marks Tudor’s first ever in-house chronograph, putting it on par with some of the most prestigious watch brands in the world. The brand’s really brought something to the table with the MT5813, the sibling to its MT5621 in-house movement first released a couple of years ago. Column wheeled and vertical clutched, with a silicon balance spring and power reserve of 70 hours, and rated by the COSC, it’s a spectacular movement that looks like a very stable chronograph based on the Breitling 01 calibre, a development collaboration that the two has entered into. It further takes Tudor away from its sibling Rolex and gives it a standalone status.
The Tudor MT5813 chronograph calibre
The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chronograph adds to the diving heritage of the series with a classic two-counter chronograph layout, and maintains a 200-metre water resistance with an added tachymeter display on the bezel, doing away with the diving countdown bezel. But it is possibly even more gorgeous than the simple aesthetic of the Black Bay’s original design. There’s a date display at 6 o’clock and the full stainless steel case comes in at a nice and wrist-friendly 41mm – not too big or too small. But add to that a jaw-droppingly wallet-friendly price tag of CHF4,800 (yeah you read it right) and you begin to understand why this is an incredible buy.
The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chronograph
Our favourite details of the Black Bay – the snowflake hands – are retained and the timepiece looks just stunning. To add even greater value to the watch, each timepiece is delivered with a jacquard style denim fabric strap that makes it suited for a more informal occasion. Our favourite pick is still the steel bracelet, which throws back to the riveted folding bracelets of Tudor in the ’50s and ’60s. There’s also a chocolate brown grain leather strap with a folding clasp that’s stunning and rugged looking. That edition is priced at CHF4,500.
If it’s only a matter of price, we’d say this is brilliant. But add to that the in-house chronograph that’s COSC certified, and this is just stunning. You might want to pre-order yours asap.