Tudor‘s new model shows off a part of the brand’s history, that has only been firmly known until now. The Black Bay P01 (Ref. 70150), which was introduced for the first time on the watch fair Baselworld 2019, is inspired by a prototype from the late 1960’s and has been proposed the US Navy.
The Swiss watch manufacture already provided the US-American marine with professional diving watches in the 1950’s. In 1967 the brand developed a technical model to replace the Oyster Prince Submariner 7928 reference, which was standard-issue at that time. Therefore they had to meet a set of specifications decreed by the American government: Tudor incorporated latest results of the research into functionality and ergonomics, developed a prototype and patented a function unknown till then. Unfortunately this project with the codename ‘Commando’ was never realized. Instead the US Navy chose another standard model – the Reference 7016, which replaced Reference 7928 in the Tudor catalogue.
Tudor Black Bay P01 Ref. 70150
But now the brand presents a model, which is inspired by one of the prototypes developed for this study and kept in Tudor’s archives for decades: the Black Bay P01– which stands for prototype 1. This way 50 years later the model is brought back to life and mass-produced for the first time.
The prototype spirit
The Black Bay P01 is contemporary sporty, but at the same time the model adopts the principle of the winding crown at 4 o’clock and the prominent end-links of the 1960s model. This way the Black Bay P01 reflects the exploratory nature of the project, a cross between a divers’ watch and a navigator’s watch. The hinged end-link system on the period prototype was the subject of a patent in 1968, which covered a locking and disassembling system for the bezel to aid maintenance of the watch. The Black Bay P01 model does not literally reproduce this mechanism but borrows liberally from it, providing a stop system for the bidirectional rotating bezel via a mobile end-link at 12 o’clock.The new model features hours, minutes, seconds and date functions and is is fitted with a domed matt-black dial with painted luminescent hour markers. The matt stain-brushed case is as well based on the design of the prototype. The Black Bay P01 is water resistant to a depth of 200 meters.
Tudor Black Bay P01 Ref. 70150
The manufacture calibre MT5612
The Black Bay P01 is driven by the manufacture calibre MT5612, which has been officially certified as a chronometer by the Swiss institute Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC). Its openwork rotor is satin-brushed with sand-blasted details, and its bridges and plate have alternating polished sand-blasted surfaces and laser decorations. Special focus was laid on robustness and longevity to create a reliable and long living companion for the owner of the watch. In developing the variable inertia balance these characteristics played a central role as well: It is maintained by a sturdy traversing bridge fixed in two-points. Other than that the Black Bay P01 has a non-magnetic silicon balance spring and guarantees a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
Tudor Black Bay P01 Ref. 70150
A hybrid leather and rubber strap
The strap especially developed for the Black Bay P01 model is a rubber base with “snowflake” motif on the back, finished with a brown leather trim. In the spirit of the period prototype, mobile satin-brushed steel attachments connect the strap to the watch case.
Tudor Black Bay P01 Ref. 70150
The essence of ‘Black Bay’
Like other models in the ‘Black Bay line’, the Black Bay P01 model features a dial inspired by the Tudor divers’ watches produced in the 1950’s. It also adopts the characteristic angular hands known to collectors as “snowflake” that appeared in the brand’s 1969 catalogue. Finally, the unprotected winding crown, like the holes drilled across the horns, are typical features of the first generations of the brand’s divers’ watches.
Hybrid leather and rubber strap with folding clasp and safety catch, entirely satin-finished
CALIBRE:
Calibre MT5612 (COSC)
MECHANISM:
Self-winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system
POWER RESERVE:
70 hours
FUNCTIONS:
Central hour, minute and second hands, stop seconds for precise time setting Instantaneous date at 3 o’clock with rapid adjustment without non-correction range Water resistance: 200 m
At this years Baselword 2019, Rolex has introduced a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 ref. M126234 in white Rolesor (combining Oystersteel and 18 ct white gold). Rolex’s classical wristwatch with 36 mm case has a refined, black sunray-finish dial and fluted bezel. It is equipped with calibre 3235, first introduced on this model in…
At this year's automotive Concours d'Elegance held at Hampton Court, A. Lange & Söhne's automatic Odysseus chronograph, first presented at Watches and Wonders in Geneva in the spring, was initially the number one topic of conversation. It was everywhere: while posters in the park lauded its release, car collectors who had journeyed to the event…
Breguet is presenting a new variant of the Tradition 7047. The watch puts the spotlight on the mechanics and integrates a tourbillon as well as a drive via chain and fusée. The new model now has a blue dial and a tourbillon cage and fusée in the same colour. Previously, the watch was only available…
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the brand, Hublot is releasing three limited editions. They take inspiration from the 1980 Classic Original model, yet also incorporate more modern elements. The minimalist models are available in 18-carat yellow gold, titanium, or black ceramic cases, and are accompanied by a black rubber strap. The History The 1980…
Roger Dubuis is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the brand with the Excalibur Grande Complication. This watch features a unique movement with a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and tourbillon, all housed in a 45mm pink gold case. Case & Strap The case of the Excalibur Grande Complication is crafted from rose gold and measures 45…
Porsche Design is introducing the Chronograph 911 GT3, available exclusively to owners of the new Porsche 911 GT3. The design of the watch is based on the car and is intended to reflect the performance demands of motorsport. The exclusive model integrates a chronograph with flyback function for time measurement. The watch is available with…
OMEGA is adding a new selection of watches to its Constellation Gents collection – the Constellation Co-Axial Master Chronometer 41mm. The watch's famous clawed bezels and case have been bevelled along the edges, creating a more slender look, while the crown has been subtly reshaped. The 2020 models mainly come with leather straps with anti-bacterial…
70 years ago, Panerai first introduced the tritium-based luminous substance Luminor – now, the Florentine watchmaker launches the Luminor Marina Carbotech 44 mm (PAM01118) with further improved luminosity, an innovative material and a service warranty of 70 years. Ever since the 1940s, Panerai has continuously worked on improving the emission of light. By using SuperLumiNova…
Rolex is extending its GMT-Master II range with a new version in ‘Oystersteel’, equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel and a 24-hour graduated two-colour Cerachrom insert in red and blue ceramic. The lugs and sides of its Oyster case have been redesigned, and the watch is fitted on a five-link Jubilee bracelet. Two other versions…
The All Dial collection from Mido is celebrating its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the house is launching a limited special edition that celebrates its connection to architecture. The Mido All Dial 20th Anniversary Inspired By Architecture puts a building in the spotlight for the first time. The new limited special edition is inspired…
Porsche Design has unveiled the Chronograph 1 – F.A.T. 2025 Edition. This limited edition of 136 pieces features an all-white dial coated with Super-LumiNova, a first for the Chronograph 1. The watch celebrates the F.A.T. International motorsport community which goes back to historic success of French logistics company F.A.T. International at the 1994 24 Hours…
Inspired by one of the brand’s most famous pocket watches, which already won a gold medal in 1889 on the Paris world fair, Girard-Perregaux now introduces the La Esmeralda Tourbillon in white gold. Since developing the first tourbillon in 1860, the manufacture kept innovating new techniques and over time created a mechanism, that was not only functional…
Since its founding in 2018, Norqain has firmly established the Independence collection as a core part of its portfolio, positioned within the segment of high-performance, lightweight watches designed for sporting activities. Over the years, the collection has produced models distinguished by expressive colours, often bold designs, and equal technical significance for Norqain: in 2024, the…