In 2012, Tudor broke the ground by introducing the Black Bay, a steel dive watch whose attractive design and price point have always offered a value proposition for enthusiasts. Through the years, the format has been updated from its larger 41 mm case down to 39 mm, as seen in the Black Bay 58.

Today, the brand has dropped the Black Bay 54 with a new, smaller 37 mm case. While its design is nearly identical to its larger sibling, the reduced size of the new Black Bay makes it more wearable.

Initial thoughts 

The 37 mm size of the new Black Bay 54 really sets it apart – perfect for those who prefer a classic look and slimmer watches. Its sophisticated simplicity makes it appropriate for both genders without sacrificing the utilitarian styling that has made the lineup popular through the years.

As is typical for Tudor, the value proposition is outstanding. At CHF3,450 in steel on a rubber strap (and slightly more with its matching bracelet), it is priced competitively against comparable sports watches. The combination of vintage-inspired design, excellent build quality, and affordable price point makes the new Black Bay 54 a winner.

Vintage-inspired but in a more compact case

While the original Black Bay was 41 mm, the 54 is considerably smaller but wears well on the wrist. It takes inspiration from an earlier diver from Tudor’s history, the Oyster Prince Submariner ref. 7922 that was issued primarily to the French and American navies but was later used by civilian tech divers.

A few tweaks have been made to the overall composition of the Black Bay 54 in terms of its case size and its design. Measuring 37 mm in diameter and 11.24 mm thick, it is much slimmer than the present offerings in the lineup.

Noticeable differences include its unidirectional bezel, which now sports a more minimalist design like the ref. 7922, displaying only five-minute intervals instead of the typical markers for each minute.

Tudor’s Black Bay 54 offers the classic option of a rivet-style steel bracelet or a rubber strap. Both options have the brand’s proprietary “T-Fit” that allows for some micro-adjustments. It is incredible that Tudor has incorporated this on more of their bracelets and that it can now be found on the rubber strap.

Inside is the MT5400, a compact COSC-certified in-house movement first used in the Black Bay Fifty-Eight. Despite being smaller than Tudor’s other calibres, the MT5400 still provides a 70-hour power reserve, silicon hairspring that resists magnetism, and a free-sprung balance wheel – important features for accuracy.

Key facts and price

Tudor Black Bay 54
Ref. 79000N

Diameter: 37 mm
Height: 11.24 mm
Material: Steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 200 mm

Movement: Cal. MT5400
Features: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 70 hours

Strap: Steel bracelet or rubber strap

Limited edition: Regular production
Availability: Now at Tudor boutiques and retailers
Price: Steel and rubber strap – CHF3,450; Steel and bracelet – CHF3,650

For more information, visit Tudorwatch.com.