Tudor Blue Bay 58: A Love Letter

I don’t care that it’s been covered. I don’t care if some people say it’s overhyped or cliche. I don’t care that it’s the de facto choice for a daily-driver dive watch under $5k. I don’t care that it’s basic, and I don’t care that it may appear unimaginative. The only thing I care about is the fact that I don’t have one yet.

Even if you rushed past the title, the cover photo, or even the social media post promoting this article, you would still be able to deduce from the opening statement that I am here to talk about the Tudor Black Bay 58, garnished in a subtle yet handsome shade of Navy Blue (​​ref. M79030B-0001, oh how romantic).

Just as the Black Bay 58 is a cliche itself, allow me to make one for myself.

Yes, it’s a Porsche 911 of the watch world. I like 911s. Actually, I love 911s. They’re built superbly well, take a beating, while looking gorgeous in both formal, and informal situations. You can use them every day if you want to, while also filling the role of a special occasion as well. Sure, the latest and greatest Rolex Submariner might be a 992 Turbo S, but to me the Black Bay 58 seems more like a 997 Carrera 4 in both its beauty, performance, and versatility.

At first, you’re met with a domed crystal that I would start to call “boxed”, but doesn’t make a huge deal out of its protrusion. The dial can be read at virtually any angle, and there is an element of thinness that is best enjoyed in person. Sure, there are many watches out there that are thinner, but the space that exists between the dial and hands exudes a level of precision, and also luxury.

The case features a combination of both brushed (Tudor calls it satin), and high-polished finishes. Brushed on tops of the lugs of the case and links on the bracelet, and high polish on the slab-sides of the case. The Black Bay 58’s case is barely thin enough being 11.9 mm on my 6” wrists to feel acceptable. This is one of the advantages to the original Black Bay 41 that has a case thickness almost 4 mm thicker. You feel that shit, especially when it’s spread over a case that is 2 mm longer (48 and 50mm, respectively).

The more watches I wear, the pickier (and honest) I get about my personal sweet spot. 39 x 48 x 12 is encroaching on my personal limit for something worth calling “My Grail”.

Yep. I went there. More on that later.

This particular watch was supplied on a vintage-inspired “oyster style” metal bracelet, adorned in faux-rivets along each link. They’re fake. They don’t exist. PHONY. Going into this review, I was figuring that this was going to be my only real point against the watch. After having the watch for over a week now, I kinda don’t care. The rest of the bracelet is beautiful, and constructed properly. The faux rivets don’t command nearly as much presence in person than they do either in photos or renderings, which I have found to be rather surprising. What’s great about this particular bracelet as well is that it’s even equipped with ceramic bearings in multiple areas in the clasp. Put in place to combat wear and tear over time. I can’t imagine why they would assume I’d want to take off the watch though. It fits me just damn well with its 39mm case size.

Okay back to the rivets though, seeing as they are a topic of contention among those that have experienced the BB58. If they simply weren’t there, the watch may come off as marginally cleaner and less fussy. But in my experience in wearing the watch, I just never noticed them until I looked for them on the side of the bracelet.

Oh my god, I haven’t even told you about the 60-click bezel. Now listen, I won’t put this lightly. The bezel action on the Black Bay 58 is THE best I have felt. Period. Bar-none. This, like a GT3 shifter, will ruin me for all watches to come after. It completely changes the game for me. I know this is the first Tudor to hit my review “chopping block”, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around a bezel being any more satisfying in both feel, and accuracy to line up with the minute-hand.

All of this for $3,950 on a bracelet ($3,650 on leather or nato strap). And included in that price, you receive a COSC-certified MT5402 movement lasting you 70 hours of power-reserve, the best damn bezel, ceramic bearings in the clasp, dial-candy for days, and a 5 year warranty to boot.

For most folks, I know it can be a hard sell to part ways with $4,000 on an item that isn’t a car, camera, or even a high end computer. But I can assure you, this watch will outlast the computer and be much happier being submerged in water than the camera (and likely the car) with its 200 meters of water resistance.

I wanted to spend some time with the Black Bay 58 because a few months back, I started finally getting a little crush on the watch. It seemed like an affordable dream watch that I could put money away with each paycheck, and eventually get one. But is it worth all the hard work, and saving up for months on end?

You bet your ass it is. Absolutely. Now, the 58 that I’ve actually been dreaming of is actually the traditional black and gilt variant with the red triangle at 12 o’clock on the bezel. Yep. That one. I’ll also take my double-tall caramel mocha pumpkin spice frappuccino please and thank you. The Navy Blue is drop-dead gorgeous while also rugged and functional. It’s a watch that I need just to get through the day, while also making my day. It’s a shade of blue that can pretty much go with anything in my wardrobe, but especially when it’s a black t-shirt and jeans. I’ve mentioned in both video and podcast form that in 2019 I had a moment with a 981 Porsche Cayman S with PDK. It made me think about where I was in life and that I needed to work harder in life, because I felt like I actually needed that one thing. I also felt the same way when I drove a Fiesta ST for the first time, and look at me now… Loving my Fiesta 3 years in, and scheming ways to afford a Porsche in the next few years. However, the watch may have to come first. It’s an easier pill to swallow at least.

My greatest takeaway from the Tudor is that it does the thing I love that 911s, and old NSXs do. It can handle both ends of its intended spectrum from being just a watch that you wear every single day, while also feeling like a bona fide trophy when you want it to as well. It will wave a kind hello throughout the day and make you genuinely smile, while also rewarding you for using the dive-bezel for things as mundane as timing your laundry.

I have extensively enjoyed my time with the watch, and am genuinely miffed I have to return it to its owner, Bruno. Bruno is an absolute legend, and I cannot thank him enough for lending me the piece. However, I am convinced that this is a sales tactic of his, seeing as he is a salesman for OC Tanner here in downtown Salt Lake City. Go ahead and pay him a visit, even if just to say hello and talk watches. Tell him I sent you too. None of this is a paid promotion, and I promise you that he didn’t put me up to this. I’m just exceptionally grateful for the opportunity given, and I want to let you all know how I feel. Now, if only I can find a traditional Black Bay 58 to call my own, then that will be all the watch I’ll ever need, and I will be a very, very happy boy.