Think high-end GMT watches and one brand comes to mind. However, sibling rivalry may challenge that mindset. Move over Rolex GMT Master II and make way for the Tudor Black Bay GMT.
It's fair to say that the Tudor Black Bay has attained almost legendary status, and if Herr. Wilsdorf could see the legacy of his work, he would be justifiably proud. Between Rolex and Tudor, his creations dominated 30.9% of 2022 luxury watch market sales. No other brand came close.
Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline - Credit WatchGecko
The Black Bay on which our new GMT is based began life as the Tudor Submariner, which was introduced in 1954. Vintage models of this are now highly sought after. Tudor was created to allow the Rolex Group to sell products to the broadest demographic of customers. There was even a transition of positions when in the 1960s, Tudors were better made than Rolexes. This status passed back and forth between the brands and today, neither truly has an edge if you are a serious watch collector.
The Tudor Submariner was eventually discontinued in 1999, but by then, it was morphing into the snowflake-handed dive watch, which to many of us, is the archetypal Tudor. The last Tudor Prince Date Submariner was reference 79190 and was an absolute gem, well worth seeking out in mint condition but be prepared to pay for it.
Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline - Credit WatchGecko
Fast forward to 2012 and the watch world was introduced to the Gen 1 Black Bay. It was in every way an evolution of the old Submariner, an overnight success, and has since become the backbone of the Tudor collection for the last 10 years.
With a few minor tweaks, the watch remained unchanged until 2016, when Tudor stopped fitting imported ETA movements and developed their impressive in-house calibres. As a final testimony to how sophisticated these movements became, it is not a commonly known fact that one of Breitling's major power plants was a rebranded Tudor movement.
Up to date, in 2023, the Tudor Black Bay has come of age and is arguably just as desirable as the Rolex Submariner. Some would argue more so.
The Opaline GMT
Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline - Credit WatchGecko
The model we purchased for office use was reference M79830RB-001. Thankfully, it is more commonly known as the Opaline Dial GMT.
GMT Watches have always been featured in serious collections. Most people will never use one in anger, but the GMT is still one of the best complications to own on a watch, and you'd be surprised how often you will glance at it. The ultimate aim of the GMT was to develop a watch that allowed pilots to change time zones quickly and easily when they landed at an airport and then reset it as they took off for yet another time zone. These watchers also had to display a home time zone simultaneously. GMT watches hark back to the glossy golden age of aviation, where they were the only method of keeping up with different time zones. And they still do the job just as efficiently as an electronic gadget.
Hands-on with the GMT
Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline - Credit WatchGecko
The first impression on the unboxing is of a striking watch with far better legibility than one would imagine because the Opaline is more of an ivory colour. The pure white Super Luminova of the indices stands out as do the hands, which have just enough silver outline to make them project.
The seconds hand is entirely metallic, and the 4th GMT hand is bright red, which stands out from the rest of the dial. The Tudor comes with the classic bi-colour GMT bezel, which denotes the hours of darkness and sunlight. One of the first things you notice about this iteration of the Black Bay is how non-Rolex it looks, and this drives home how the brand truly now has its own identity with watches instantly recognisable as a Tudor.
It is always a treat to look at a watch that has been designed without compromise, and it is not an overstatement to say that the Tudor GMT is such a case. The fit and finish of all the stainless steel parts are exceptional, with beautifully beveled lugs showing that aesthetic detail was just as important as technical capability. The watch is not overly big, but it does wear tall at 15mm thanks to the domed sapphire crystal, whereas the diameter is a perfectly normal industry standard 41mm.
Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline - Credit WatchGecko
Tudor has chosen to retain their prominent unprotected dive crown, which is a very welcome retention and become a trademark for the Black Bay. The slight dive characteristic also supports the impressive 200-meter water resistance.
The bezel is in the traditional, straightforward design and is bidirectional with 48 notches. It has the standard GMT 24-hour graduated markers and is anodised aluminium. Tudor described the colour palates as a matte burgundy and blue, but to the rest of us, it is a slightly subdued version of the classic Rolex Pepsi GMT Master bezel.
The riveted bracelet may be divisive. It has been included because it is intended to pay homage to similar watches from the 1950s and 60s. It is open to debate whether this fully works on a thoroughly modern contemporary watch with no trace of faux-patina, and no other attempt to make it look old. An odd mix of styles?
Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline - Credit WatchGecko
However, the lug width is 22mm and Tudor produces fine aftermarket straps in rubber or fabric. And if the OEM straps seem a bit too expensive, then you have the extensive portfolios of ZULUDIVER and WatchGecko to lean on.
Of principal interest in any GMT watch is the movement, and this is where the Tudor shines. It has been fitted with an in-house automatic calibre MT5652 developed in 2018, which delivers an outstanding 70 hours of power reserve and exceptional accuracy thanks to COSC certification. Technically the MT5652 is at the top of the tree with an instantaneous date wheel function, bi-directional winding, hacking, variable inertia balance with micro adjustment and a silicon balance spring. It is 31.8mm in diameter and 7.52mm in thickness. The movement has twenty-six jewels and operates a difference of 28,800 vph.
So how does it wear?
Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline - Credit WatchGecko
As you would expect, beautiful. The proportions are perfect, the build quality is exemplary, and the Opaline dial makes it feel like you have something high-end on your wrist. The watch exudes class and sophistication and has the edge over its Rolex sibling in every measurable way. We don't usually review fashion watches; the word conjures up images of high-street brands associated with clothing we tend not to write about. However, there is no denying the Tudor GMT feels like a fashionable watch. It is contemporary and bang up-to-date, which shows a stroke of design genius.
We have an unboxing video of the watch coming up on the YouTube channel, and as this is an office watch, you'll see it modelling our different straps. Much thought went into deciding what watch to buy to display our straps, and the Tudor GMT was always in the top five. Having handled the watch extensively, it has been a smart decision.
Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline Technical Specifications
- Brand: Tudor
- Model: Black Bay GMT
- Price: £3,660
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Movement: In-House Calibre MT5652, 70hr power reserve, 26 jewels.
- Complications: GMT 4th hand
- Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal
- Dial: Domed Opaline with a galvanized finish
- Size: 41mm diameter, 50mm lug-to-lug, 15mm thick, 22mm lug
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: Flying trans-Atlantic first class or failing that every day - the GMT function is a gem. This watch will look smart on any occasion, no matter how casual or sophisticated.
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone who wants a one-stop-shop luxury watch at a fair price. This will address all their needs. Or someone who was about to buy a Rolex GMT Master II.
- Best characteristics of the watch: Effortless style with a contemporary feel. Fine GMT movement and a dial that elevates the watch beyond the traditional black dial GMTs.
- The worst characteristics of the watch: No exhibition case back to see that beautiful movement and odd “rivets” on the bracelet.
