In-Depth Review - Tudor Black Bay Chrono (2024)

Welcome to Chrono Pursuit where we methodically review the most exciting watches on a 100-point scale so that you can make the best-informed decisions when purchasing your next watch. After watching and reading countless other reviews, we noticed the same thing over and over again: subjective reviews that sound like they are written by the manufacturer (spoiler alert, many of them are). We differentiate our reviews by defining exactly what criteria we are reviewing, what score we think the watch deserves, and our honest opinions.

Our reviews concentrate on four primary criteria: design, construction, movement and other factors to consider. Each category is broken down into 5 sub-categories, which allows us to precisely show what makes a good, great or exceptional watch.

Today, we are reviewing one of my favorite watches, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Reverse Panda”. The watch features a modern 41mm diameter case with a polished stainless steel body and aluminum bezel. Selling at retail for $5,500 on a stainless steel bracelet (and also generally available lightly-used on the secondary market for about $1,000 cheaper), the Tudor Black Bay Chrono is consistent with Tudor’s renewed ethos of producing top-quality watches that are still “affordable” for most collectors.

What comes to mind first when looking at this watch is that it is undeniably a tool watch: it feels extremely sturdy, the riveted bracelet looks industrial and the matte black face with white sub-dials is subdued yet very legible. However, the high-end finishings, attention to detail and specs make this watch a value proposition that can sit comfortably amongst competitors like Omega, Breitling and even JLC.

Now, to get the criticisms out of the way, my only issues with this watch are (1) the snowflake hands are large and can, at times, cover the sub-dials, and (2) the heft of the watch (including the 14.4mm thickness). However, the DNA of the Black Bay Chrono is undeniably an industrial tool watch with some high-end finishing, and changing either feature (especially the snowflakes hands which are a hallmark of Tudor) would make the watch feel so much less “Tudor”.

With those few criticisms out the way, let’s jump into the full review itself. After carefully considering all aspects of this watch, I ended up giving the Tudor Black Bay Chrono an overall score of 83 points out of 100 points. Breaking that down further, I gave the design of the watch 21 points, 20.5 points for the construction, 21 points for the movement and lastly 20.5 points for various additional factors. Overall, for $5,500 and a “standard” chronograph watch for a mid- to upper-tier watch brand (depending on who you ask), this is a relatively high score and I feel confident that your money would be well-spent adding the Black Bay Chrono to your own collection.

Overall Score: 83/100

Design – 21/25 pts

1. Case (size, shape, construction, angles, finishing) – 4.5/5pts  With a case measuring 41mm in diameter, 14.4mm thick (a slight improvement over the previous iteration’s 14.8mm) and 49.9mm lug-to-lug, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono is a hefty watch. For a lack of a better term, it was built like a tank, although it’s a nice-looking tank with polished surfaces and a flawless paint job. As the term “tool watch” has increasingly made its way into the vernacular of everyday watch enthusiasts, this Tudor is one of the few watches that “feels” like a (luxury) tool: solid, rugged and precise.

2.   Dial (color, pattern, indices, hands, chapter ring) – 4/5 pts  Consistent with the “tool watch” lineage of Tudor, the Black Bay Chrono is equipped with either a matte black or white dial with alternative-colored sub-dials. In my personal version, the dial has a matte black finish that turns to a dark gray in bright sunlight. The printed white indices and logo are extremely legible and the applied indices with white-filled lume shine brightly in contrast against the deep-black background.

3.   Strap/bracelet (material, comfort, finishing, clasp) – 4/5 pts The Black Bay Chrono’s bracelet matches the heft of the watch case. The links are brushed on all surfaces except for the end links, which are polished and have a “rivet” pattern reminiscent of earlier Tudor designs. The bracelet tapers slightly from 22mm at the lugs to 20mm at the clasp. The clasp is well-executed with an in-set, polished Tudor “shield” that acts as the outer-clasp’s finger lift. Both the outer- and inner- locks clasps are secured by sturdy ceramic ball-bearings that give extremely satisfying click feedback when securing and un-securing the clasp. While there are 3 sets of drilled holes for micro-adjustments on the clasp, there is no quick-adjustment ability and no diver’s extension.

4.    Bezel (indices, rotation action, scale) – 4/5pts  The bezel is slightly sloped with polished sides and constructed of black-anodized aluminum with a helpful tachymeter scale. The scale is clearly printed in white numerals on both models, which contrasts nicely on the panda model (white-faced) and seamlessly blends in with the reverse panda’s dial as well. While this bezel does not have the smooth rotating action as the Black Bay 58’s, it serves a useful purpose that aligns with the chronograph’s features.

5. Originality (design cues, homage, re-issue, re-design) – 4.5/5 pts Among the re-launch of many Tudor classics, the Black Bay Chronograph stands apart from its Black Bay, Royal and Ranger companions. While those lines descend from original Tudor designs (some as old as the company itself), the Black Bay Chrono is a new, bi-compax take on older triple-register chronograph models (which also had different layouts due to the use of Valjoux 7750-based movements). Officially launched in 2017 as the all-stainless steel (including bezel) Heritage Chrono, the Black Bay Chrono builds on the legacy of Tudor, but in a completely new direction from its predecessors.

Construction – 20.5/25 pts

1.     Overall Quality (case, dial, hands, finishing) – 4.5/5 pts  Make no mistake, Tudor produces some of the best watches at its price point and is well-known for consistently punching above its weight. The stainless steel body flows from the edge of the case through the solid lugs, reminding the wearer that this watch was carved from a single solid piece of steel. Even the chronograph pushers and spring-loaded crown feel extremely solid and dexterous. Under the sapphire crystal, the applied indices are a reminder that this tool is a luxury watch – the lume is filled in evenly in each marker and within the hands. Speaking of the hands, the “snowflake” hour hand is a nice historical touch, and all of the hands are expertly polished to a mirror shine.

2.    Materials (type of metal, rare metals, finishing technique) – 3.5/5 pts  The entire watch (including the strap) is constructed from high grade stainless steel, while the bezel is made of anodized aluminum (which to many is the “original” tool watch bezel material that Rolex and many other brands used before switching to scratch-proof ceramics). What is surprising, at least for a “bulky” feeling tool watch, is the high level of polishing on the sides of the case and the subtle beveling as well that really catch and reflect a lot of light. The polish is also very even and smooth, even over a large surface, which shows Tudor’s attention to detail even at the reasonable price point.

3.     Resistances (water, magnetism, shock) – 4.5/5pts  The watch comes with 200 meters of water resistance, which is marked nicely with white lettering for meters and red lettering for the conversion to feet on the bottom of the dial. The Tudor Caliber MT5813 movement (which is derived from the industry-leading Breitling B-01 chronograph movement) comes standard with a proprietary silicon hairspring (which resists magnetic effects) and a KIF Parechoc anti-shock system found in many other Tudor calibers.

4.    Ancillaries (lugs, crown, pushers and other extremities) – 4/5 pts The chronograph pushers are one of the more polarizing features of this watch, but I personally love them. To operate the chronograph functions, the pushers need to be un-screwed and then depressed, unlike traditional “button” chronograph pushers. However, given the tool watch feel of the Black Bay Chrono, and it’s shared heritage with Rolex’s Daytona (which also has screw-down chronograph buttons), I think the design choice here was spot-on. Operating the crown is also a tactile delight – the crown’s spring-loaded mechanism has fantastic feedback and the screw action feels secure and water-tight. The crown is also nicely sized and turns comfortably (even for my big hands), but the crown’s thin profile keeps the overall package manageable and not unbalanced.

5. Bracelet/clasp (link type, integration with case, clasp mechanism) – 4/5 pts Reading other reviews of various Black Bay models it is clear that the bracelet design, with the faux "rivet" end-links, is one of the more polarizing design elements of the Black Bay Chrono. To be clear, the riveted design harkens back to older, vintage bracelets used by many watch manufacturers back when links were hollow and required stainless steel end-links to ensure a secure fit. Personally, I like the design and the polished links reflect nicely in the light and extend the polished surface from the side of the case all the way down to the clasp.

Movement – 21/25 pts

1.     Origin of Movement (Swiss, sourced, in-house, design) – 4.5/5pts  Arguably, one of the best parts of the Tudor Black Bay Chrono is its Swiss-made movement (known officially as the Manufacture Calibre MT5813). Tudor has disclosed upfront that the movement is a modified Breitling B-01 chronograph movement created in collaboration with Breitling, which saw Tudor exchange its time-only in-house movement for Breitling’s advanced chronograph. While an unusual arrangement, it makes a lot of sense – Breitling spent billions in R&D and built an entire factory to build the B-01 movement, which is a top-of-the-line chronograph movement.

2.    Complication(s) (design, usefulness, integration, operation) – 4/5 pts  While it’s hidden behind a solid case-back, the Black Bay’s chronograph movement is a real show-stopper. Equipped with 47 jewels, a column wheel and vertical clutch system, the chronograph mechanism is quick and crisp. You can feel the gears and levers click into place satisfyingly, and the central seconds hand snaps perfectly back to 12 o’clock when the chronograph is reset. Other features specific to Tudor’s movement (and not necessarily found in the base B-01 movement) include a silicon hairspring (for anti-magnetism and resistance to temperature variations) and a free-sprung balance wheel with four adjustable masses for fine-tuning.  Lastly, the date (located at the 6 o’clock position) is probably the most underrated part of this movement; the date changes precisely at 12:00am with a perceptible “click” that has surprised me many times when working late at my desk. It’s a small feature, but impressive in a ~$5,000 package.

3.     Accuracy (overall +/-, positions, variance) – 4.5/5 pts  The MT5813 boasts a COSC level certification, meaning the watch is regulated accurately to between -4/+6 seconds a day. As with any COSC movement, the Black Bay Chrono is independently tested in 5 different positions and 3 different temperatures to ensure limited time-keeping variation. My personal watch gains just 2 seconds per day, putting it comfortable into the realm of the highest-end movements (and even within METAS specs). The only improvement in accuracy I could think of would be a METAS certification, but for this price point a COSC movement regulated to such tolerances is plenty of bang for your buck.

4.    Power Reserve (length, indicator, variance) – 4/5 pts  With 70 hours of power reserve, you do not have to worry about setting this Tudor down overnight or even over the weekend. Even with the chronograph running continuously (which I know is a polarizing issue), the Black Bay Chrono maintains 70 solid hours of power reserve when fully wound.

5. Finishing/Design (decoration, finishing, architecture, rotor) – 4/5 pts Tudor’s roots stem all the way back to the days when it was Rolex’s “younger brother”, which meant that Tudor sourced cheaper Swiss movements and avoided certain high-end finishing techniques. Recently revamped, Tudor movements still retain an “industrial” finishing process with sand-blasted plates and bridges, but the movement is still clearly a high-end movement just based on the specs alone. The architecture of the base B-01 is also incredible, with various curved levers and pushers curling around the periphery of the movement, almost like a whirlpool.

Other Factors – 20.5/25 pts

1.     Price (Value) (MSRP, secondary (used), value proposition) – 4.5/5pts  Let’s talk pricing. Depending on whether you go with the leather strap or all-steel bracelet, pricing for the Tudor Black Bay Chrono is relatively tight between $5,225 and $5,550 (at the time of writing). For $225 extra, a well-made steel bracelet with integrated end-links is a no-brainer. And what you get for just over $5,000 is impressive on either strap option: a well-executed bi-compax chronograph with screw-down crown and chronograph pushers for 200m of water resistance and a Breitling-sourced top of the line movement beating inside. The case finishings coupled with the reserved, yet sophisticated dial, demonstrate Tudor’s ability to deliver high-end watches at relatively affordable sums.

Not only that, but if you compare the Black Bay Chrono to its Breitling cousins using a slightly less-impressive B-01 movement, the Black Bay Chrono sells for less than half of those B-01 chronograph models (which typically start in the $10,000 range).

2.    Quality Control (Finishing, dial cleanliness, mechanical, known issues) – 4.5/5 pts While this Tudor presents itself as a tool watch, the level of finishing (including the even polishing on the entire side of the case which requires meticulous attention) is on-par with more expensive brands such as Omega or JLC. Under a 10x loupe, the dial is extremely clean with no smudges or dust particles and you can see the level of detail in every applied marker and the evenly-dispersed ink.

3.  Certifications (COSC, METAS, manufacturer) – 4/5 pts The Black Bay sports a manufacture movement (indicated by the “MT” in the name of the caliber, signifying “Manufacture Tudor), and while the movement may be derived from Breitling, the movement is very clearly a Tudor based on its finishings, accuracy and additional bells and whistles (such as the adjustable free-sprung balance wheel). the MT5813 movement is a COSC certified chronometer, meaning that it is in an exclusive club of less than 6% of watches made annually that pass the time-consuming (and expensive) certification process and is guaranteed to keep accurate time.

4.    Warranty (limitations, extensions, service) – 4/5 pts  Every modern Tudor comes with a standard 5-year warranty, there is no need to register the watch or jump through any other hoops to get the 5 year warranty (which many other watch manufacturers still require). However, with a COSC-certified movement sourced from another trusted brand, I would have hoped for a slightly longer warranty period (perhaps 6 or 7 years) to demonstrate Tudor’s confidence in this specific movement.

5. Presentation (box, certificates, ancillary items) – 3.5/5 pts The only area where Tudor consistently lags behind peers are its boxes and certificates. The matte-black outer- and inner-boxes are nice and feel well-constructed, but don’t have the heft or sophistication of other brands in the same price range (everyone loves the tan wood Omega boxes for a reason). I will say that the black boxes are consistent with Tudor’s tool watch ethos and sensibility, but for $5,000+ I like to receive a watch in a box that feels reflective of the price point.

Additional Thoughts 

1.     Reputation of the watch manufacturer - Tudor has been in renaissance mode since it re-launched with a refreshed brand and released the Heritage Black Bay in 2012. The Heritage Black Bay was a “reinterpretation” of earlier Tudor models that were loosely based on the Rolex Submariner (but were a fraction of the cost) and was excitedly received by the watch community. Since 2012, Tudor has released new watch lines consistently, demonstrating a clear commitment to restoring the brand to its former glory. I personally think modern Tudor is significantly out-doing its prior reputation as Tudor is now fully extricating itself from under the Rolex brand name to stand on its own merits.

2. Industry Recognition - Tudor has been a perennial contestant at GPHG, recently taking home the prize in 2023 for the “best sports watch”, an impressive feat for a company that essentially started over just 10 years ago. 2023 also saw two Tudor watches nominated at GPHG - the Tudor Pelagos, which won the sports watch category and the Tudor Black Bay which was nominated in the “petit aiguille” category. The fact that Tudor had two horses in the race in two separate categories demonstrates the watch industry’s respect for Tudor despite its modest price point and unflashy style.