Tudor Black Bay 54 Review: kzread.info/dash/bejne/hH98xJtmg8jRmdI.html

I absolutely prefer the old BB36 over the new. Removing the snowflake seconds hand leaves the snowflake hour hand looking lonely. The smile and the protruding crown gave it some charm, and as you noted, the previous generation had better WR. On top of that, the older ones are more versatile, whereas the newer ones are leaning a lot heavier into dress watch territory

@chronopath

5 ай бұрын

Hit the nail on the head for every point 👍

This model Black Bay is a criminally under appreciated watch. From a design standpoint, it's much better (timeless) than the newer BB's and is so affordable right now. So well built, beautiful nuanced details (snowflake hand, smile dial). So glad I own this exact model. People will catch on, it'll become a future grail watch.

@canadianwatchmonkey3992

3 ай бұрын

Even more under appreciated is the Tudor Glamourdate 36mm. I own the silver dial. Think BB36 but with a date and standard stick type hands. Check out my review. 😊

Bought mine in 2019 and still love it. The lady at the AD tried to sell me the BB58 (think it was still fairly new out) and when I said no, I want the 36 she really didn’t get it. This watch is criminally under rated, a real future classic.

Future classic! Especially since this version is out of production.

Im so glad you actually measure the crystal. Next to the lug to lug that is the most important measurement for how big a watch will wear. I don’t know why other KZreadrs don’t ever measure that

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

I believe the difficulty and time-consuming nature of the task might be the reason. With double domes, flush crystals, or boxed its a bit tricky as well. I posted a pic on instagram how I measure it. The most accurate method involves removing the crystal and measuring directly. (which I can't do because I don't own these watches) But there is a slight degree of error, I did an experiment to dial in my measuring on a sapphire that I already knew the exact size of (because I modded the watch before) But I was off still by 0.5mm with my normal measuring technique. Sometimes I'll get 30.3mm and I'll think is it 30.5 or 30mm? hmmm wheres the error etc. since then I think I've improved measure it tho.

100% agree that this is so much more charming and nuanced than its replacement. I have not been able to shake this off as my go-to GADA day-to-night watch for coming to 2 years now. And for how quickly my taste changes, that's really telling me something about how much more this watch is than the sum of its parts. However, I'm not sure if its better than the Explorer 124270. I flip-flop between both of them as my de facto GADA. When I've had the BB36 on for while, I long for the elegance and comfort of the Exp. When I've had the Exp on for while, I long for the sportier, upright, let's-do-this stance of the BB36. So I've been keeping both despite the overlaps FML

Bought in 2016, I sold it to fund a Rolex Submariner. However, after the new version was released, I remembered how excellently this watch suited my taste. Thus, I repurchased it earlier this year. I couldn't be happier; I've really missed this dial, the smile, and the absence of faux patina...;-)

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Have a silver dial 36 smiley face, just recently purchased a blue dial smiley face too on the 2md hand market.. love this tudor model, so simple yet elegant, doesnt scream "look at me" but once it's looked at you can definitely see its charm

This is a great watch! When I was shopping for a Tudor, I got the BB58 because I like having a timing bezel. I like the simplicity of your BB36, and it’s awesome that practically any watchmaker can service it!

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Yeah my personal watchmaker quoted me 180 Canadian dollars for service. Rolex service center wants $400. but even at 5 years its still running good so I'll wait 2 more years.

@chriscon8463

5 ай бұрын

@@EscapementWatch Yes…I’m a little concerned about what servicing my BB58 will cost, but I’ve still got a few more years before I need to consider it. Right now it’s running less than 1 sec slow/day!

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

new tudor's can do 10 years thats what my AD told me when I bought my BB58 and when I bought my BB54.

I cross shopped this with the Monta Noble and went with Monta. Same level of finish. Glide lock clasp. Similar movement and 2mm larger. Also thinner case and less money. Still love Tudor though.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

The Noble is fantastic! Would love to pick one up if they make it in 36mm

You're ignoring the elephant in the room- the adjustable bracelet on the new Tudor is a complete game changer. That in addition to the smaller crown makes it much more comfortable and can be worn in different temperatures.

I love the older black dial BB36 so much I ended up getting one some years ago. Back in the day I used to get larger watches but after going through a phase of wearing watches that I had decades ago I tried the BB36 at the AD.... and walked out with it after purchasing of course. I love the smile dial indicating that it houses a 3rd party movement as it's part of the character. I also like the new manufacturer calibres but the new ones to me with my view today just look a little bit sterile in comparison. I'm also not sure about the loss of the second hand snowflake. Anyway I'll be sticking with my watch, it's accurate, comfortable and very readable at a glance. Times and preferences change over time so maybe sometime in the future I'll take a look at one of the current models. Who knows but I'm unlikely to move my BB36 on anytime soon.

I'm a Tudor fan so I would go with the BB all the way even though I think it's too small at 36mm. I'm not a Rolex hater by any means but I can't justify spending the money on a Rolex when you can get a Tudor of arguably equal quality for less money. Both are great watches though.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

Yeah explorer is extremely overpriced imo. It's a lovely watch still but I would only be ok with paying 4k ish for one.

I have both; the BB36 and the BB54. Couldn't be more satisfied. Two years ago I bought the new Explorer 1 36mm. My AD got it for me having had purchase history since 1976. I wore it for one year then sold it. It just wasn't right somehow. I had an Exp 1 1016 back in the 70s but the new version is too much luxury. Tudor have nailed it in terms of unadorned and 'affordable' old style field watches. I also have the 39mm Ranger. PS I was not aware that Tudor have replaced the ETA 2824 with the Sellita movement. Even more reason to value my 2016 BB36. Thank you of a great and knowledgable take on these watches.

Love the old Black Bay, but definitely prefer the neo vintage Explorers! Especially the older 14270s that are starting to patina. Lovely stuff

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

Yea those are the best explorers

Black Bay 36 has a masculine look with the snowflake hands, Tudor shield and lettering ...Rolex Explorer has kind of candyass look especially with that silly Rolex crown on the dial....

I too like the older versions better. The new ones are muted in color tone and lack the character of the older ETA versions.

I have a 2019 bb36, i dont know if i have the ETA or the selita in there, i bought it for the gloss black dial and the fact that it has the face of a no date submariner but even cleaner and prettier in my opinion, its also a more versatile watch, it goes with anything

Thanks for keeping this alive in the watch community. It seems I don't see it nearly as much as I used to. Maybe it's just not the hot Tudor to show off any more? I don't know. While I found the 36 to be a bit small for me, I found the 41 looked proportionally off, despite technically fitting my wrist. All I really was hoping for in the refresh was a T-fit clasp, AR, and a 39mm option. We got the T-fit and 39mm, but it went from a sporty watch to a dressier watch. It's fine in its own right, but it's not a replacement for this line, especially the beautiful blue enamel versions. If somebody's not attached to the 3/6/9 and likes the Explorer style watch, I think this is a great substitute and a great watch in its own right.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

Very welcome! And judging by the low click rate compared to my normal videos, I'd agree. This is not a hot watch anymore, and I did question if I should even film it but did anyways.

Mostly see the black or blue dials - but the silver dial is the real stand out option IMO. Regardless of dial color, the BB36 is a great GADA and winner of a watch all around.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

I was thinking instead of servicing this 5 year old beauty trade it in on a new silver. But a little hesitant to lose the ETA for the sellita.

@marvean2519

5 ай бұрын

Sellita is completely fine imo.

Love the previous gen 36mm black bays. Great choice!

The new one is such a terrible release imo. They completely changed the essence of the BB and I don’t see why anyone would choose this over the 1926

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

It's like an oyster perpetual clone with a Jubilee bracelet. At least the class is improved lol

My go to watch 💪💪

I agree, the newish Blackbay 36 and 39 have been designed to feed some little more 'Rolex light" features to their customers, like the smaller crown, the lollipop second hand and the elimination of the smile dial at the expense of an own Tudor brand identity. I love the looks of the old Blackbay 36. However, the Sellita based calibre is a huge drawback.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

well it does perform basically 0 seconds a day on my wrist even at 5 years old. What's there not to like in a movement that can do 0s for 5 years straight? and this one is ETA not Sellita.

@AlexanderB.

5 ай бұрын

​@@EscapementWatchMaybe the low power reserve of only 38 hours or the fragile winding mechanism. Or do the Tudor modifications address these issues as well?

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

Tudor doesn't touch the power reserve and fragile winding is more of a sellita issue. never had the problem with any ETAs but almost every sellita I had got the issue. That is why I don't wind my sellitas just 2-5 small winds and let it top up on my wrist.

@AlexanderB.

5 ай бұрын

@@EscapementWatch I put Sellita powered watches in a watch winder for two days in preparation for a wear

I always wonder how many people actually use a dive bezel .

@EscapementWatch

7 сағат бұрын

I use mine frequently but to time stuff during the day. Work outs, small trips for errands, etc.

Damn ! Now I can not unsee the small snowflake hour hand - It´s like Deadpools baby hand ! 😳

@EscapementWatch

4 ай бұрын

yeah its disgusting! Tudor trying hard to make a fake seiko tudor!

Tudor Ranger for the win!

Already own the Explorer 1 so that's my choice but I have a 114270 which is the last great 36mm Explorer 1. If I want to wear a 40mm case sized watch. I'll wear my 14060m Submariner

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

114270 is my fav explorer as well. Good choice!

I have this in 41mm, it is a Tudor presenter, Tudor classic polished bevels, snowflakes, big crown, smiley dial(last smiley) etc, discontinued but iconic, polished bezel with brushed bracelet makes the watch low profile, only one downside is the ETA flat case back, it makes the crown knock the back hand easier, since the crown is not small

2 DOOR!!!!

Love it! It's just like a luxury dress kx 😂

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

Pretty much!

This was my first grail years ago and I bought and sold it twice. I loved the look of it and found the quality insanely good in person for the price. I paid second hand pricing which gives you a ton of value. I don’t own the watch now though. These are my issues: 1) The watch is heavy for its size. I found it uncomfortable if the bracelet wasn’t snug to my wrist because it would slide all over the place. 2) The crown digs into the back of your hand. Again if the watch isn’t snug the crown lays into your hand all day because of how long it is. 3) I also found it slightly boring but mostly too close to a Submariner without a bezel. It seemed off to me after a while. I still think this is the best Rolex OP/Explorer alternative, even the new BB36 if you are into the new look. The quality is nearly on par with modern Rolex (crushes 2000s-2010s Rolex) for a fraction of the price especially preowned. But for me I just couldn’t get over those few things. So I sold it on, sadly.

Slab sides will never be as nice as the elegant curves of an oyster case

I prefer they use square marker on the dial. Just like the Pelagos.

Looking only at the design I prefer: Older Rolex> new Tudor > new Rolex

I am buying the explorer

I much prefer the redesigned 36mm Black Bay. Better case design. Drastically better movement. More appealing dial. Better crown (the black crown tube is ugly). Also the new 5 link bracelet with tfit clasp absolutely destroys the old Tudor clasp. Cheers.

I am a Tudor fanboy. But IMO you can t compare the non diver bb with the Explorer. They do Not Play at the same leage, at the same stadium. They Play two different Games. I love both. But in this case 40mm Explorer 7 days a week.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

the 40mm explorer is huge as the dial real estate is like a dinner plate on the wrist unless you have an 8 inch wrist. I've reviewed many rolex's on this channel in extreme macro about 10 or so. So I know what league they play in and the comparison is fair. Check out my seiko vs rolex video at 8:28 mark to see the finish on the new 41mm rolex sub and how dusty it is.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

and check out other rolex videos like the datejust to see scratches on the indices. these are mass produced watches tudor and rolex. Yes rolex is finished to a higher degree but for sure you can compare them!

@eg4059

5 ай бұрын

I think the new 40mm is a good size for some of us. And it is not realy 40mm it is somethibg about 39,8 or so. For me it is the Perfect reinterpretion of a all time classic. Under the Makro most of the premium Even the Luxury watches are Not perfekt. In this case you as a seikopath/seikomatic/seikonaut… know what i am talking about ;-)

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

I will say for the 10 or so Rolex's I've filmed Grand seikos are just finished better. I got lucky on my Tudor's because on the forums I see tudor qc issues weekly. I'm going to make a short trash talking tudor soon just for fun. but love tudor lol

@eg4059

5 ай бұрын

@@EscapementWatch for all of us „Watch Nerds“ everything should be fun. I love the 99 Bucks Casio and the 12000 Bucks Sub. And Everything between. No Watch is Perfect. Some have some dust under the Makro the others bubbles in the saphire ;-)

I would just purchase the Monta Noble and enjoy the value over this Tudor. This is not a winner in my book.

Imagine spending thousands of dollars on a watch and not getting AR coating on your crystal. lol.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

like Rolex explorer of the past! lucky it iss not needed on a flat sapphire.

@jwags24

5 ай бұрын

@@EscapementWatchI hear what you’re saying where it’s not “needed,” but this is a luxury watch that I feel should have those extra features that take it a step above the competition. AR on flat sapphire absolutely does make a difference. It’s not necessarily, but there is a visual difference for sure. Keep up the great camera work in your videos! 👍🏻👍🏻

Great watch, but without a date it is useless

the non diver black bay is boring, nowhere near the level of explorer

@jamesblonde2271

5 ай бұрын

seconded

@rickjason215

5 ай бұрын

The Explorer is not a plain boring watch? I am not spending 10 grand for it.

@MikeSmith-er1qs

5 ай бұрын

Completely disagree. Both fine watches but love the look of the Tudor much more.

@Explorer40mm

3 ай бұрын

@@rickjason215explorer is a great watch and so is this bb36

Meh

Explorer does everything better.

Explorer for men bb for boys.

@EscapementWatch

5 ай бұрын

Opposite actually! The explorer more curvaceous and feminine, the Tudor is more blocky and manly.

@xchazz86

5 ай бұрын

​@@EscapementWatch Agree to disagree, one's a less refined tool watch, the other a more refined all in one. A boy would opt for the tool watch first and grow to be a man of finer taste through accumilation of experience and wisdom. Ofcourse each boy/men may differ, just depends on their trajectory. For me the explorer is a far more sophisticaed and timeless design, each to their own,

I would never trade my Explorer for a Tudor.If you want an Explorer don’t buy an homage.😤