The new Tudor Black Bay Ceramic perfectly epitomises the brand’s technical prowess
Equipped with a manufacture calibre and METAS-certified Master Chronometer performance in a matt black ceramic case, the new Tudor Black Bay Ceramic perfectly epitomises the brand’s technical prowess
TESTED BY THE Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), the new Black Bay Ceramic is the epitome of high-tech luxury and a prime example of Tudor’s expert command of the industry’s most demanding standards in terms of chronometry and resistance to magnetic fields. Its matt black ceramic elements and black manufacture calibre accentuate the Black Bay Ceramic’s outstanding performance.
Aesthetically, the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic combines contemporary, technical details with subtle references to its significant heritage.
Its 41mm matt black monobloc ceramic case has sand-blasted surfaces with bevelled edges, mirror-polished for a striking contrast, and is finished with very pronounced lines. The insert of its bezel is also in black ceramic with a sunray satin finish.The engraved graduations in matching tones offer a complementary matte detail, which responds subtly to changes in light.
Its dial is also black on black, the only contrast being its applied hour markers with off-white luminescent material. Finally, a hybrid leather and rubber strap, with a “Snowflake” motif on the inside and folding clasp, together with a complimentary black fabric strap with cream band, completes the stealthy black look of the rugged design.
The manufacture calibre MT5602-1U, which powers the Black Bay Ceramic, displays the hour, minute and second. It has the finish typical of Tudor manufacture calibres but is entirely in black, in line with the general appearance of the watch, emphasising its distinctive performance. Its rotor in black tungsten monobloc is openwork and satinbrushed with sand-blasted details, and its bridges and mainplate have alternate
sand-blasted, polished surfaces and laser decorations.Its build is designed to ensure robustness and precision, as is its variable inertia balance, which is maintained by a sturdy traversing bridge with a two-point fixing.
Together with its non-magnetic silicon hairspring, MT5602-1U is able to function within a tolerance range of 5 seconds (0 +5). Another notable feature is a “weekend-proof” power reserve of up to 70 hours, which enables the wearer to take the watch off on a Friday evening and put it back on again on Monday morning without having to wind it. Even if you need a weekend away, your watch does not.
Tudor has successfully submitted its Black Bay Ceramic model for tests to obtain a Master Chronometer certification as part of a constant bid to improve the quality of its products.
This certification, which requires a substantial number of changes to the Tudor manufacture calibre, will mean that Tudor will be able to offer accreditation by an independent body, confirming the excellent quality of its watches.
Master Chronometer certification is comprehensive and covers such main functional characteristics as precision, resistance to magnetic fields, waterproofness and power reserve. Its standards are incredibly high, starting with precision. In order to qualify, a watch must be able to function within a fivesecond range of variation each day (0 +5s), that is to say five seconds less than the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) (-4 +6s) carried out on a single movement and a second less than Tudor’s internal standard, which is applied to the brand’s models with a manufacture calibre (-2 +4s).
The certification also guarantees the timekeeping accuracy of a watch subjected to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. Finally, it also guarantees that the waterproof capability claimed by the manufacturer conforms with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 22810:2010, as does the power reserve of each Master Chronometer watch. It should also be noted that two prerequisites are necessary before the certification can be obtained: Swiss manufacturing must conform with the criteria of Swiss Made, and the movement must be certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).