Sameera Gamage 
TUDOR’s Black Bay Pro continues to push the boundaries of tool watches, blending heritage design with cutting-edge functionality. The new opaline dial enhances legibility, making it even more suitable for extreme conditions. With its robust case, sophisticated GMT movement, and rich legacy, it’s the ultimate companion for adventurers and collectors alike!
During Watches & Wonders this year, Tudor introduced the second version of the popular Black Bay Pro GMT. First unveiled in 2022, the Black Bay Pro GMT with its black dial was seen as one of the best modern-day tool watches with its clean, legible dial and steel bezel construction. Designed as the ultimate tool watch, it features a 24-hour graduated fixed bezel and a yellow “Snowflake” hand, blending vintage-inspired aesthetics with professional-grade functionality.
Now, building on the success of the Black Bay Pro GMT black dial, Tudor has introduced a refined new version of the timepiece while maintaining its signature 39mm case, fixed steel bezel, and in-house GMT movement. The highlight of this latest iteration is the striking opaline dial, a design choice that enhances legibility while preserving the watch’s rugged charm. The simple addition of the white opaline dial takes the design of this watch even further, improving visibility with bold black-outlined ceramic markers and hands that contrast sharply against the opaline background.
Tudor’s legacy in exploration goes back over 70 years, when British adventurers relied on the Tudor timepieces during the North Greenland Expedition. Hans Wilsdorf, Tudor’s founder, saw this as the perfect place to prove the reliability and precision of the first waterproof and self-winding Tudor timepiece, the Oyster Prince. The pioneering spirit that drove Hans Wilsdorf and Tudor back then is what lives on in the Black Bay Pro, a timepiece created for professionals who need reliability in extreme conditions.
Case Design
When it comes to the outer structure of the Black Bay Pro GMT, it remains the same as the original 2022 model. The case is a robust 39mm in stainless steel, designed for resilience. Just like the original, the steel bezel is retained, perfect for explorers and adventurers who want to use the timepiece for its intended purpose. The case has a thickness of 14.6mm, which might feel a bit bulky, but it’s important to remember that these watches aren’t designed for elegance or formal wear. The Black Bay Pro GMT embodies the true spirit of a tool watch, crafted for durability and functionality. Its design allows it to be worn over the cuff of clothing, making it easy to read the time during expeditions.
One of the key design features of the Black Bay Pro GMT is the crown, which has been designed and engineered for improved grip, reminiscent of the historical timepeices in Tudor’s catalogue. Unlike conventional designs, the crown is set flush against the middle case band, concealing the tube for a seamless integration that enhances both aesthetics and functionality. The case also comes with 200m water resistance, reiterating the fact that this timepiece is meant to be used outdoors, a true tool watch for adventurers and everyday wearers alike.
Dial Design
The highlight of this new Black Bay Pro GMT is the opaline dial. The matte finish of the dial gives a soft look, which contrasts perfectly against the black-outlined applied markers and hands, ensuring maximum readability. While the black outline look has its own aesthetic reasoning, giving a contemporary look to the timepiece, I personally think having full black markers would’ve done the dial more “justice”, really driving home the contrast and easy legibility that the watch is striving for.
The hands also have a darker outline compared to the hour indices, highlighting aesthetics such as the signature “Snowflake” hands, a defining trait of TUDOR’s heritage since 1969. For this timepiece’s GMT functionality, the yellow 24-hour hand tracks the reference time, while the shorter jumping hour hand adjusts the local time in both directions. A date display at 3 o’clock is directly linked to the local time hand, offering a sophisticated and user-friendly GMT function.
Movement
Inside this new Tudor Black Bay Pro GMT, we have the Manufacture Calibre MT5652 movement. This movement was specifically designed by the brand to integrate the GMT function directly into its design. It was made by Kenissi, a Swiss movement manufacturer founded by Tudor.
Tudor built this movement for longevity and accuracy, featuring a variable inertia balance maintained by a robust traversing bridge with a two-point fixation, while the non-magnetic silicon balance spring ensures that the timepiece has exceptional reliability. The movement’s precision surpasses industry standards, with a daily variation of just -2 to +4 seconds, earning it a chronometer certification by COSC. The movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH) while giving out a power reserve of 70 hours.
Initial Thoughts
The Tudor Black Bay Pro GMT with a white opaline dial remains true to its purpose as a functional and aesthetically refined tool watch. Adding this white opaline dial not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of that timepiece but also increases its legibility while maintaining the model’s signature rugged appeal. By combining heritage design elements with modern innovations, TUDOR has successfully evolved the Black Bay Pro without compromising its core identity.
As with most Tudor timepieces, the Black Bay Pro GMT comes with three strap options. First, we get the standard 3-link bracelet, then a hybrid strap in black rubber and fabric, followed by a black-and-yellow Jacquard fabric strap made by Julien Faure in France. While I love the steel bracelet option, the different strap options offer versatility for personal tastes or occasions.
This update represents a compelling offering for enthusiasts seeking a GMT-equipped, adventure-ready timepiece with vintage charm and cutting-edge performance. With Tudor’s rich history, the Black Bay Pro GMT’s durable build, and thoughtfully integrated improvements, the timepiece continues to reinforce itself as being one of the best tool watches on the market right now.
Specification: Tudor Black Bay Pro GMT (Steel Bracelet – M79470-0004), (Fabric strap – M79470-0005), (Hybrid Strap – M79470-0006)
- Dimensions: 39mm x 14.6mm thick
- Case Material: Steel case with polished and satin finish
- Dial: White opaline
- Movement: Manufacture Calibre MT5652 (COSC)
- Movement Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 VpH)
- Movement Power reserve: Aprrox 70 hours
- Water resistance: 200m (20 Bar)
- Crystal: Domed Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Bracelet/Strap: Riveted steel bracelet with polished and satin finish, and TUDOR “T-fit” clasp with rapid adjustment, hybrid rubber and leather strap with steel folding clasp and safety catch or black fabric strap with yellow band.
