TUDOR launches the Black Bay Ceramic model, an extraordinary watch that symbolizes the technical savoir-faire of the brand, with a matte black ceramic case, Manufacture Caliber and Master Chronometer certification granted by METAS.
Black Bay Ceramic perfectly exemplifies TUDOR ‘s mastery of one of the industry’s highest standards for timekeeping and resistance to magnetic fields. Tested by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), this Black Bay model embodies the language of high-tech aesthetics better than any other. Its matte black ceramic elements and black Manufacture Caliber accentuate the exceptional performance of the Black Bay Ceramic.
KEY ELEMENTS
- 41 mm diameter matte black ceramic case
- Domed matte black frosted dial and hour markers
- “Snowflake” hands, a hallmark of TUDOR divers’ watches introduced in 1969, with grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova ® phosphorescent coating
- Manufacture Caliber MT5602-1U, certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control (COSC), with silicon hairspring and 70-hour power reserve
- Master Chronometer Certification
- Five-year transferable warranty with no registration or regular maintenance required
TUDOR QUALITY
The TUDOR Black Bay Ceramic model has undergone a series of rigorous tests to achieve the exemplary status of Master Chronometer. This is the first application of this high level of demand to a model from the TUDOR collection. This certification, which requires a considerable number of evolutions of the TUDOR Manufacture Caliber, allows TUDOR to offer accreditation by an independent body, confirming the excellent quality of its watches.
COMPREHENSIVE INDEPENDENT CERTIFICATION AND DEMANDING STANDARDS
The METAS Master Chronometer certification is comprehensive and covers the main functional characteristics of watches, such as precision, resistance to magnetic fields, water resistance and power reserve. Their standards are incredibly high, starting with accuracy. To be certified, watches must operate within a daily variation interval of five seconds (0 +5), i.e. five seconds less than allowed by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control (COSC) (-4 +6) in a single movement and one second less than TUDOR’s internal norm, which applies to the brand’s models with Manufacture Caliber (-2 +4). The certification also guarantees time accuracy when the watch is subjected to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. In addition, finally, it guarantees that the water resistance declared by the manufacturer complies with the 22810:2010 standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), as does the power reserve of each Master Chronometer watch. It is also worth mentioning that there are two requirements to be met in order to qualify for certification: the Swiss manufacture must meet the Swiss Made criteria and the movement must be certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control (COSC).
CRITERIA AND TESTS FOR METAS CERTIFICATION
Below is a summary of all the tests and requirements that are required to qualify for the Master Chronometer certification, obtained by Black Bay Ceramic:
- Swiss Made
- Certification by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control (COSC)
- Accuracy at two temperatures, in six positions and with two different levels of power reserve: 100% and 33%
- Correct operation under a magnetic field of 15,000 gauss and no change in accuracy after this exposure
- Water resistance to 200 m according to ISO 22810:2010
- 70 hour power reserve
HIGH-TECH AESTHETICS
Aesthetically, TUDOR Black Bay Ceramic blends contemporary high-tech details with subtle references to its noted heritage. Its matte black monobloc ceramic case features sandblasted surfaces with chamfered edges, mirror-polished for stunning contrast, and is finished with very sharp lines. The rotating bezel is also black ceramic with a sunray satin finish. Engraved graduations in matching tones add a complementary matte detail that subtly reacts to changes in light. The dial is also black on black, and the hour markers feature off-white phosphorescent material as the only contrast. Finally, a hybrid leather and rubber strap, black of course, with a “Snowflake” motif on the inside and a folding clasp, as well as a black fabric strap with a cream band, complete the understated black aesthetic. this model.
THE MANUFACTURING CALIBER MT5602-1U
Bringing the Black Bay Ceramic to life, the Manufacture Caliber MT5602-1U offers hours, minutes and seconds functions. It features the typical finish of TUDOR Manufacture Calibers, but is completely black, in line with the overall look of the watch, and enhances its characteristic performance. Its black monobloc tungsten die-cast rotor is satin-finished with sandblasted details, while the bridges and mainplate alternate with sandblasted surfaces and laser decorations.
The design of this Caliber guarantees resistance and precision, as does its variable inertia balance, maintained by a robust cross bridge with two fixing points. Together with its non-magnetic silicon balance spring, the Manufacture Caliber MT5602-1U is capable of operating within a tolerance of five seconds (0 +5).
Another notable feature is that the power reserve of the Manufacture Caliber MT5602-1U can exceed any weekend; that is, it has the 70-hour METAS certificate, which allows the user to take the watch off on a Friday afternoon and put it back on Monday morning without having to wind it. Even if you need to rest on the weekend, your watch doesn’t.
THE ESSENCE OF BLACK BAY
Like other models in the Black Bay line, the Ceramic model adopts TUDOR’s distinctive angular hands known as “Snowflake”, featured in the brand’s 1969 catalogue. The result of the subtle combination of traditional aesthetics and contemporary watchmaking, the Black Bay line is far from being a mere reissue of a classic. It is firmly rooted in the present and brings together almost seven decades of TUDOR divers’ watches. Although part of a neo- vintage design, its manufacturing techniques and its robustness, reliability, durability and precision, as well as the quality of its finish, exceed modern industry standards.
THE TUDOR DIVER’S WATCH
The history of the TUDOR diver’s watch dates back to 1954, the year the reference 7922 was launched. Water resistant to 100 meters, it was the first in a long line of divers’ watches. Affordable, rugged, reliable and precise, the model embodied the brand’s tool watch philosophy. This TUDOR diver’s watch, over the seven decades since its launch, has undergone constant improvement and has been unanimously acclaimed by industry professionals as well as some of the world’s leading navies.
THE TUDOR GUARANTEE
Ever since Hans Wilsdorf created the brand in 1926, and true to his ideal of watchmaking products, TUDOR has never stopped making the most robust, durable, reliable and precise timepieces in existence today. Such is TUDOR’s experience and confidence in the superior quality of its watches that the company offers a five-year warranty on all products sold from January 1, 2020. To enjoy this guarantee, the watch does not need to be registered or maintained, and it is also transferable. All TUDOR products purchased between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019 will get an 18-month extension of their original warranty. TUDOR also recommends servicing its watches approximately every ten years, depending on the model and the intensity of daily use.
ABOUT TUDOR
TUDOR is an award-winning Swiss watch brand that offers timepieces with refined aesthetics, proven reliability and unique value for money. The origins of TUDOR date back to 1926, when the trademark “The Tudor” was first registered in the name of Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf. In 1946, he founded the company MONTRES TUDOR SA to manufacture watches with the quality and reliability of Rolex at a cheaper price. Thanks to their robustness and affordable price, throughout their history, TUDOR watches have been chosen by the most daring in their underwater, terrestrial and glacial adventures. Today, the TUDOR collection includes iconic models such as the Black Bay, Pelagos, 1926 and Royal. Since 2015, TUDOR has also been offering mechanical Manufacture movements with multiple functions and superior performance.
