Hot-Take: Tudor Unveils A New Pink-Dialed Black Bay Chrono On A Five-Link Bracelet
Less than two weeks out from Watches and Wonders, Tudor has jumped the starting gun with a pre-show introduction. This pink-dialed Black Bay Chrono is also the version of this model we’re seeing for the first time on the brand’s five-link (don’t call it Jubilee) bracelet. Its distinct shade of pink sets it aside from the classic black and white models and gives it a light-hearted yet bold twist. However, even the brand has acknowledged that this version of the watch will be as rare as it may be polarizing. “The Black Bay Chrono ‘Pink’ might not be for everyone, and that’s OK because few of them will ever be made,” the brand says. But we at Fratello admire the bold choice and appreciate the new look the alternative bracelet provides.
This introduction comes as a follow-up to some of Tudor’s major recent moves. This seemingly unending streak includes the announcement that Tudor would sponsor the new Red Bull-owned Visa Cash App RB Formula One team — a bit of news also featuring a new Tudor watch. Even more recently, Tudor became the official timekeeper of the Tour of Flanders and partnered with Inter Miami CF (a team co-owned by Tudor ambassador David Beckham). Beckham was spotted wearing a Tudor Pelagos emblazoned with the team logo not long ago. Inter Miami CF is no stranger to the shade of the new Black Bay’s dial, which can be seen featured on its kit and logo. But that’s not the only source of inspiration behind this latest launch.
The new pink-dialed Tudor Black Bay Chrono is born to dare
Those more familiar with Taiwanese singer, musician, and Tudor ambassador Jay Chou will know he has made this bright shade his signature color. In fact, the watch first appeared on his wrist in a photo before its Tudor’s official unveiling today. This was the second part of the puzzle of this collaboration. Tudor has stated that the inspiration for the color was the daring spirit of all its ambassadors. It is unclear whether the watch will be more widely available as a limited edition. Judging by the brand’s statement and its MO of producing watches exclusively for ambassadors and those partaking in its sponsored activities, it may remain one for insiders only or, if not, a very limited and rare piece. Most of us here at Fratello are fans of this delightfully summery pastel-pink panda dial and appreciate its lighthearted appeal.
In addition to the new dial color, another feature worth mentioning is the inclusion of the five-row bracelet and T-fit clasp. This was not a bracelet previously available for the Black Bay Chrono. Will it trickle down to the panda and reverse-panda models? We can only hope it will because it works very well between the lugs of this sea-capable chronograph. Besides that, the watch is virtually the same as previous iterations of the Black Bay Chrono. It features a brushed 41mm stainless steel case with a screw-down crown and pushers. Inside, the chronometer-rated Breitling 01-based MT5813 chronograph caliber ticks away with 70 hours of power reserve. To read more about the BB Chrono, check out RJ’s article here.
Final thoughts
This latest launch from Tudor will serve as an appetizer for the new watches coming our way in less than two weeks at Watches and Wonders. Whether or not this new Black Bay Chrono reveals anything about what Tudor has prepared for the show would be speculation. Still, it would be fair to say that Tudor is one of the brands we’ll be paying close attention to, especially with its track record over the past couple of years. To find out whether or not we’ll see more Pepto Bismol-pink dials, tune in on Tuesday, the 9th of April, for our coverage of Watches and Wonders.
What do you think of this latest release? And more importantly, what would you like to see from Tudor at Watches and Wonders? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
