While the original Tudor Heritage Black Bay was all gilt and faux patina, the Black Bay in blue (ref. 79220B) is the complete opposite. While keeping the exact same design, Tudor has taken most of the colours out, giving the new Black Bay a nearly monochromatic look. The result is a serious-looking and understated dive watch.

Instead of striking red, the latest Black Bay has a midnight blue bezel with a matching dark blue ring on the crown tube. Blue is not a new colour for Tudor dive watches, its Submariners were once offered in blue, including the so-called Mil-subs issued to the Marine Nationale Française (French Navy).

The dial design is the same as before, just in different colours. Instead of a dark brown hue, it is deep, pure black, with silvered indices and white text instead of the gold-toned dial of the original. And the creamy ivory luminous material of the first Black Bay has been replaced with stark white Luminova. Though it still has a vintage style, the new Black Bay feels fresher and more contemporary than the original.

Just as before, the steel case is 41 mm in diameter, with an ETA 2824 automatic inside. It’s fitted with a domed sapphire crystal, and rated to 200 m.

Available on either a steel bracelet or a dark blue distressed leather strap, the Black Bay is also supplied with an additional blue fabric NATO-style band.

It will retail for the same as the original Black Bay, at 2950 Swiss francs (~US$3330) on the strap and 3250 Swiss francs (~US$3670) on the steel bracelet.