What is the size of the watch?
These watches are from the same line, drawing certain design elements from different historical models, giving off a completely different vibe. To find out why the black version wins for me, it's time to subjectively compare and contrast the two watches.

Tudor Black Bay 58 – 2018: Black
Although the original Tudor Black Bay 58 has a dark grained dial, it gives an almost comfortable feeling. This is thanks in large part to the visible gold plating on the hour markers, hands, minute markers and bezel. The attractive tones created by the gold-plated and rose gold indexes give the watch an almost autumnal warmth. Rarely does a black dial exude such warmth. This makes the original Black Bay 58 a very versatile watch.

It has a laid-back style but a serious design. You can imagine it being worn on a man's wrist sipping hot coffee on an October day, or pairing it with a burgundy wool jumper for a walk in the forest with friends. That said, this Swiss diver's watch has a purpose – it's legible throughout the day, whether you're an aesthetic lover or not, not to mention easy to read even in the depths of the waves. According to an unexpected opinion from a friend, this is a "pirate watch"; while they must be a reasonably financially successful and tasteful pirate, I do agree with its aesthetics, especially the brown leather strap option, that would be worn Travelers take them back in time to rough seas and far-flung adventures.

Tudor Black Bay 58 – 2020: Navy Blue
In contrast, the blue version with its navy matte grained dial exudes more of a summer yacht vibe. When I first saw it on a friend's wrist at a restaurant last summer, the first thing I noticed was that it was more vivid and brighter than its siblings. Worn on a very high quality NATO strap, it looks confident yet elegant and masculine.

If I were to personify this watch too, I'd say it feels like a socially casual piece to wear while meeting friends and sipping rosé on the French Riviera. Speaking of France, it's worth revisiting the fact that this watch was inspired by the mid-70s "blue snowflake" Tudor submarines worn by the French marines. As mentioned, find out how a country can trust it Investing in a company really means a lot. I like to imagine the pride, not to mention the joy, the Navy gained from using tool sheets at the time. In the end, as the success of this model proves, Tudor has played well in the game, deftly responding not only to the growing demand for smaller-sized watches, but also to the continued popularity of blue-dial sports watches.

judgment
While using the same design language and mechanics, the two versions are significantly different. Therefore, two basic conclusions can be drawn. First and foremost, both models are inevitably popular for their ability to be neo-vintage watches, but still boast impressive calibers and high-quality craftsmanship. Second, both watches share what many enthusiasts are after: a strong story. But that's why the black version still dominates.

First, with its bold retro look and feel, it definitely stands out with its more unique look. Unlike the 2020 version, this watch doesn't try to capture any trends so obviously, and its color scheme is refreshing. Secondly, there is its inspiration; the black and gold-plated models mainly use the Tudor 1958 Ref. to form their design specifications. 7924. This is important – after all, the entire collection takes its name from the famous groundbreaking diver's watch. As a result, it was able to provide what many members were looking for; a real sense of heritage. The original Black Bay 58 is successfully executed with a neo-retro design that combines a sensual story with equally poignant design elements.

Having said that, the navy blue version also tells a powerful and powerful story of a nation's belief in a watch house. Also, despite being the more modern of the two, it still balances storytelling and style seamlessly into one watch. That said, its sporty composition combined with the blue dial unabashedly caters to current trends.

Compared to its siblings, this 2020 design is a far cry from the 1958 Ref. 7924, at least at first glance. For this reason, while probably the more preferred look for most people, it has less sentimental value in my eyes. What's more, Tudor has always been appreciated by its fans for the high quality of its watches, its lower price point and usability compared to its older brother, the Rolex.

However, getting the navy blue version proved to be very difficult. I've heard many stories of waiting lists and even forum discussions - perhaps ironically - about replacing the more expensive Rolex "Smurf" Submariner in favor of getting a navy blue version. In any case, there is clearly a price to be paid for following the trend, although Tudor never generated the hype around it from the start.

So while the original Black Bay 58 version won me over, the joy of watchmaking lies in its wide range of opinions. Thankfully, the different aesthetics of the two models mean that at least two should speak to you. If not - let's pray that Tudor will surprise us again this year.

The strap or bracelet you choose can change the overall look of your watch. If you're not sure which style is right for you, you can visit Tudor's online configurator and explore the options for yourself.

Black Bay 58 with Brown Leather Strap/Black Fabric NATO Strap and Black Bay 58 Navy Blue with "Soft Touch" Leather Strap/Blue Fabric NATO Strap.

Card
Tudor

Model
Black Bay 58

refer to
79030N (black), 79030B (blue)

case material
316L steel, polished and satin finish

aspect
Diameter: 39mm
Height: 11.9mm

Waterproof
20 bar (~ 200 m)

dial
dome: black or blue

Strap/Bracelet
black:
Studded stainless steel bracelet, polished and satin-finished
or brown leather strap with folding clasp and safety clasp,
or black fabric strap with gold strap and buckle

Navy Blue:
studded stainless steel bracelet, polished and satin-brushed,
or blue "soft touch" with folding clasp and safety clasp,
or blue fabric strap, silver strap and buckle

move
Manufacturing movement MT5402

Movement type
automatic

power reserve
70 hours

frequency
28,800 times/hour (4 Hz)

Function
Minutes and seconds