Baselworld 2018 Tudor Black Bay GMT

For Baselworld 2018 Tudor is expanding its Heritage Black Bay collection by presenting a model with a highly functional complication: a multiple time-zone GMT function. GMT complications like those debuted by Rolex for Pan American Airways establishes local time without losing sight of the time in two other time zones. While there is no official confirmation yet, World of Watches suspects that the announcement of the Baselworld 2018 Tudor Black Bay GMT while sister brand Rolex announces their own Pepsi GMT-Master II in Oystersteel is no coincidence. This tactical masterstroke literally gives the market of watch lovers a dichotomy of choice – lovers of the new Pepsi bezel Rolex GMT-Master II who cannot afford it have a literal no brainer choice in the Baselworld 2018 Tudor Black Bay GMT.

Baselworld 2018 Tudor Black Bay GMT

Recognisable by its rotatable Pepsi bezel, which derives its name from the deep blue and burgundy colourways, not from its Rolex relative but other models in the Black Bay line no less, is executed in a matt version.

The twelve daylight hours are printed on the burgundy section and the night-time hours on the blue enhance the new Tudor Black Bay GMT’s neo-vintage qualities

On the new Tudor Black Bay GMT, additional time zones are indicated by a red snowflake hand, the Heritage Black Bay collection’s aesthetic signature, making its way around the dial in 24 hours, driven by an all new calibre Manufacture Calibre  MT5652 developed by Tudor for the Black Bay GMT model. This introduces a new function to the line of Tudor Manufacture Calibres.

Its structure has been designed to ensure robustness, longevity and reliability, as has its variable inertia balance, which is maintained by a sturdy traversing bridge with a two-point fixation. Thanks to these qualities, together with its non-magnetic silicon balance spring, it is certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). With a 70-hour power reserve, a wearer can take o the watch on Friday evening and put it back on again on Monday morning without having to re-set and wind it.

The new 41mm Baselworld 2018 Tudor Black Bay GMT in steel case, 41 mm is waterproof to 200 metres (660ft) and like other robust models in the resurgent brand’s collection, is designed to withstand the elements. Its winding crown tube is in satin-brushed steel, new for the Black Bay line and aesthetically in keeping with the case and winding crown. Its contrasting black dial means that it is legible in all conditions, including night-time, thanks to its luminescent hour markers, as well as a bidirectional rotatable bezel that is also calibrated for 24 hours.

While the twelve daylight hours are printed on the burgundy section and the night-time hours on the blue enhance its neo-vintage qualities, its manufacturing techniques, reliability, robustness and the quality of its finish are consistent with today’s more rigorous requirements.

New Tudor Black Bay GMT Price and Specs

Movement Automatic Manufacture Calibre MT5652 (COSC) with 70 hours power reserve
Case 41 mm steel case with 200 metres water resistance
Strap Steel bracelet, leather or NATO
Price CHF 3,400