Tudor Black Bay Pro Watch M79470-0001 (Similar to M79470-0003 and M79470-0002) - The Ultimate Adventure Watch, A Review (plus Video)

I was back in Scotland to send my son to university and to commemorate the occasion I decided to get myself a watch. Originally my target was something else but as luck would have it, my eyes fell on the Tudor Black Bay Pro.

It happens that the Rugby World Cup was on and in one of the British tabloid I was reading there was a full page advertisement featuring the Black Bay Pro as Tudor was the official timekeeper for the games. I was instantly drawn to the watch as it reminded me of one my grail watch, the Rolex Explorer II.

Although this model was launched in 2022, I did not give it much thought as Tudor in Kuala Lumpur was getting as snotty as its bigger brother Rolex. Most watches in the boutique was only for display purposes and if interested, must sign up under a list to wait for a call from Tudor. However, in Scotland, the AD is first class and all models were available. Had a great experience. Got the watch plus a very elegant walnut watch box for six slots. 

 

This is not my first Tudor. In the collection, I already have a Heritage Black Bay and the Pelagos Titanium. This is the first of the brand that comes with a GMT complication. 

The Series

The Black Bay Pro is available on three different strap options. There’s the standard stainless steel bracelet which I got, a striped fabric strap (GBP3,260) and a hybrid rubber/leather strap (GBP3,260). I actually like the fabric strap but I decided to get the bracelet version first and perhaps later swap it out with the strap. It is always cheaper to go from bracelet to strap instead of the other way.

 

M79470-0001 RM17,430	M79470-0002 RM16,110	M79470-0003 RM16,110

This series was first introduced to the market in 2022. It was great that Tudor (suspect Rolex gave tacit approval for this) chose the classic 1655 Explorer II as a basis for this series. It is also good that Tudor incorporated its own interpretation or spin to the design. For example, the dial is different in design as well as the unprotected crown. As such, the Tudor-ness is obvious to see instead of being recognized as a pure homage to the 1655.  

The Watch

The Tudor Black Bay Pro is a 39.0 mm watch made of 316L stainless steel. Its surfaces are mostly brushed with polished bevels with the sides of both the case and the bracelet also polished. The screw-down case-back is generally sterile with no significant graphics, just some basic information about the watch printed in white in small font. Tudor has adopted a new design to the crown where the thin fluted profile and aluminum tube (found in previous Black Bay models) have been replaced by a classic deeply notched crown.


 

The dial looks classic, with a domed profile and a matte grained texture over a black background. There’s a minute scale on the periphery. The primary hour markers are made from blocks of luminous ceramic with a slight cream colour in a combination of dots, rectangles and a triangle. The brand and logo are at 12:00 while additional three lines of text are at 6:00. All are painted in white except for the depth rating which is painted in yellow. At the extreme edge of the dial also at 6:00 is the famous "SWISS MADE" painted in white. The hands has the Tudor-ness, with a Snowflake profile and covered with Super-LumiNova luminous paint. The yellow colour was added to differentiate the GMT hand.

The date aperture is located at 3:00 and replaces the hour marker as well as part of the minute scale in that location. My view on this is that the designed could have been refined further. Instead of replacing any of the markers, a small aperture at 4:30 could be considered. In all honesty, does one really need a date complication anymore?

Framing the dial is the domed sapphire crystal. This is my personal favorite regarding the watch. Surrounding the crystal is a new bezel design. There is no rotating steel bezel anymore but instead a fixed steel bezel, finished with a radial-brushed surface and an engraved 24 hour scale painted in black. This is reminiscent of the bezel found on the first-generation Explorer II reference 1655. 

 

 

It is also important to note at this stage the style of GMT used in this watch. The Tudor Black Bay Pro uses the real GMT function where it is the local time hand (the main, shorter, Snowflake hand) that moves in one-hour increments, either backwards or forwards. The date is coupled with the local time hand. All settings are done by the crown.



The crown on the Tudor Black Bay Pro is a new design for the Black Bay series. There is no crown guard as per the series design but now, there is no visible stem tube either. On full screw-down, the crown sits flush to the casing. The Tudor rose in relief is prominently featured on the top surface of the crown.

 

The Black Bay Pro I got has a steel bracelet. It comes with the riveted profile and features a folding clasp which is fitted with the T-fit micro-adjustment system that allows extension of up to 8.0 mm in five positions), first introduced on the Black Bay 58 Bronze. I needed to take 3 links off to adjust to my wrist circumference of 6.75 inches. The watch weighs in (with 3 links taken off) at approximately 170 gm.

 

The case-back is a screw-down and devoid of any graphics apart from some texts around the peripheral. Personally, I would love to see some artful graphics adorning the large empty space on the case-back.

 

 

Inside the Tudor Black Bay Pro is the Calibre MT5652 made by long-time partner Kenissi. This automatic movement is chronometer-certified by COSC and fitted with an anti-magnetic silicon hairspring. The variable inertia balance is held in place by a robust transversal bridge. The movement beats at 28,800 BPH (or 4 Hz) and up to 70 hours of power reserve. Tudor ensures the accuracy to be at least between -2 and +4 seconds variation in its running when delivered from the factory.

The Black Bay Pro is rated as a 200 meter water-resistant watch. In the dark, the luminescence of the dial is just adequate. Rather disappointing to me as I would expect the brand to lavishly anoint the markers and hands with loads of high quality luminous paint. Unfortunately, below is the actual view of the watch in the dark.

The Wearing Experience

Apart from the lackluster luminous power of the dial in the dark, The watch has the proper size and weight to qualify it as a great adventure watch. Below is the watch on my wrist.

In conclusion, the Tudor Black Bay Pro is the ultimate adventure watch. It is tough and legible; it features a GMT complication; and it can dive. A general purpose watch equipped for most activities. A truly beater watch.

Specifications 

Model Number: M79470-0001 

Face Colour: Black 

Metal Type: Stainless steel

Bracelet Type: Riveted steel bracelet with polished and satin finish, and TUDOR “T-fit” clasp with rapid adjustment

Crystal: Boxed sapphire 

Bezel: 24-hour graduated fixed bezel in satin-brushed steel

Width: 39.0 mm

Length: 47.2 mm

Height: 14.6 mm

Lugs: 20.0 mm

Weight: 170 gm (with 3 links removed)

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Movement: Self-winding mechanical Calibre MT5652 (COSC)

Functions: 3-hands time, date & GMT hand

Jewels: 28

Accuracy: Between -2 and +4 SPD

Frequency: 28,800 BPH (4 Hertz)

Power Reserve: 70 hours 

Vendor: Chisholm Hunter, Dundee, Scotland

Purchase Date: 18 September 2023

MSRP Price: GBP3,520 / RM17,430

Purchase Price: GBP3,520 

Serial Number: xxx

Warranty: 5 years

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