The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight hit the jackpot upon its release in 2018, with a winning combination of vintage styling and a trim case. Two years later, the watch was given a facelift in blue, 2020’s go-to color. And now, at Watches & Wonders 2021, Tudor has released two precious-metal variants, the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 in sterling silver and the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K in solid yellow gold.
Initial Thoughts
If there is one thing that this year’s edition of Watches & Wonders has made abundantly clear, it is that green is here to stay. In the Fifty-Eight 18K, Tudor has opted for a dark green that complements the case metal. Stylistically, the two Fifty-Eight novelties are polar opposites of one another. The 925 is reserved and subtle, whereas the 18K is clearly the one with the greater visual impact.
2021 novelty: Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K in yellow gold
However, it is expensive, at USD 18,340. This represents a premium of nearly USD 15,000 over last year’s navy blue model for what is essentially the same watch in a different colorway and in a gold case. However, compared to the precious metal dive watches of Tudor’s sister company, the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K remains a bargain, relatively speaking.
Green and Gold
The 39mm case of the Fifty-Eight 18K is entirely brushed, a prudent decision since sports watches in high polished gold can look overly flashy. The matt green dial as a fine granular texture and features gold hands, applied gold hour markers, and gold printing.
The satin finish of the case also extends to the bevel running along the case flank
Matching the dial color, the aluminum bezel insert displays a broad variety of colors in the press pictures, ranging from forest green to black. The graduations on the bezel continue the green-on-gold theme.
The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K comes with two straps: alligator leather and fabric
The in-house caliber MT5400 is visible through the sapphire caseback. Though the caliber is plainly finished in an industrial style, it is a compact movement that is upscale in terms of its features.
Though it is smaller than Tudor’s other manufacture calibers, the MT5400 still boasts an industry-standard 70 hours of power reserve, a non-magnetic silicon hairspring, and a free-sprung balance wheel. Tudor rates the movement to run no worse than -2/+4 seconds per day.
Key facts and price
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K
Ref. 79018V
Diameter: 39 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: 18k yellow gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 200m
Movement: Cal. MT5400
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 70 hours
Strap: Two straps are included, alligator leather and fabric, both with a buckle in yellow gold
Availability: To be Confirmed
Price: USD 18,340 or SGD 23,040
For more, visit Tudor.com.
