Head-To-Head: Tudor Black Bay Pro versus Rolex Explorer II

Tudor Black Bay Pro

Rolex Explorer II

 

After a detailed comparison of the Tudor Black Bay Pro and the Rolex Explorer II, here is a breakdown and a final recommendation. 

Long Term Assessment: The Modern Mariner - A Five‑Year Wearing Review of the Tudor Black Bay “Midnight Blue”

There are watches that impress at first sight—and then there are watches that endure. In a world where fleeting trends often masquerade as icons, the Tudor Black Bay “Midnight Blue” stands apart: a timepiece whose reputation grows not through novelty, but through lived experience. Over half a decade of wear, testing, travel, and everyday life, the Black Bay has evolved from an admired diver to an indispensable companion.

This is not a standard review. This is the story of what happens after the honeymoon period ends.

A Legacy Reborn

When Tudor revived the Black Bay line in 2012, it did more than reissue a vintage diver—it distilled a design language shaped across 60 years of Tudor’s underwater exploration. Its spiritual ancestor, the Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner ref. 7922 from 1954, lends DNA to the case, crown, and the clean, functional ethos of the watch.

TUDOR Royal 41mm Steel Case Salmon Dial M28600-0009 - Sport‑Chic Identity, A Review (plus Video)

The Tudor Royal 41mm Salmon Dial M28600 has long stood out to me as one of the most eye‑catching and versatile watches in Tudor’s contemporary catalogue. With its distinctive integrated bracelet, sharply notched bezel, practical day‑date complication, and that unmistakable salmon dial, the Royal line strikes an impressive balance between refinement and sportiness. It’s the kind of watch that feels equally at home with a suit or a more casual outfit: something few watches in this price segment manage to pull off convincingly. As a result, the Royal has been on my radar for quite some time, quietly climbing higher on my personal wishlist.

Recently, I received an unexpected message from my dealer that immediately caught my attention. He mentioned that a Tudor outlet was offering a special deal as they were looking to clear out existing stock. Sensing an opportunity, I quickly gave him four different Tudor models I’d be interested in, asking him to check which, if any, were available under this promotion. Then came the waiting game.

About a day later, the news came back. Of the four options, only the Tudor Royal was available, and specifically in the salmon dial configuration. While my initial preference had been the blue dial variant, the moment I heard the details, any hesitation vanished. The pricing on offer was simply too good to ignore, especially for a watch that I had already admired for so long. In the end, the decision felt almost effortless. I jumped at the chance and placed the order immediately, confident that this was one of those rare moments where timing, opportunity, and enthusiasm align perfectly.

Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition Reference M25827KN-0001 - A Purpose-Driven Wearing Experience, A Review (plus Video)

I finally got myself a Tudor chronograph with the Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition.

Over the past few years, I’ve been methodically curating my Tudor collection, prioritizing versatility and functionality. It began with the Black Bay (3-hand, stainless steel), a quintessential dive watch that balances heritage design with modern reliability. Its sunburst black dial and gilt accents became a daily staple. Next came the Pelagos (3-hand, date, titanium), a technical marvel with its lightweight titanium case, helium escape valve, and luminescent matte dial—perfect for deeper dives and extended wear. The Black Bay Pro (3-hand, date, GMT, stainless steel) followed, offering a rugged travel companion with its practical GMT function and bold yellow accents. Despite this growing lineup, one complication remained absent: a chronograph.

Tudor’s chronograph options are split between the Black Bay and Pelagos lines, each with distinct personalities. The Black Bay Chrono leans into vintage aesthetics with its panda dials and domed sapphire crystal, while the Pelagos FXD series embraces a more avant-garde, tool-watch ethos. My research kept circling back to the Pelagos FXD, specifically its fixed lug design and its case crafted from carbon composite and titanium. This material combination not only reduces weight but also enhances durability, resisting corrosion and scratches far better than traditional metals.

Another deciding factor was the collection’s balance. The existing Pelagos and Black Bay Pro already cover diving and GMT needs, so the FXD Chrono’s sporty character filled a gap perfectly. The fixed lugs, while limiting strap customization, reinforce the watch’s purpose-built identity, and the cycling-themed case-back engraving adds a touch of storytelling I couldn’t resist.

Securing the watch felt like a small victory. After weeks of contacting authorized dealers, I found one willing to offer a competitive discount, rare for a model with such niche appeal. 

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.