Introducing: The Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue”
Tudor’s Black Bay line has become the foundational building block for the modern brand. The Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” brings the summer vibes in the form of a 37mm dive watch. Let’s take a look.
Tudor was once a more affordable entry point into the Rolex stable, sharing many parts, including cases, crowns, and bracelets, while utilizing third-party movements to keep prices down. The formula was reasonably effective for decades. When the brand released the original Black Bay in 2012, it marked a shift to a new design language (riffing off the old with a mix of 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s styling traits) that became a hit. Tudor has recently put quite a lot of energy into its tool-oriented Pelagos line, to be sure, but it’s the Black Bay collection that is Tudor’s bread and butter.
The Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue”
Today, we’re looking at the latest release in that line — the Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue.” The specifications haven’t changed since the original Black Bay 54’s debut in 2023. We still have that wonderful 37mm case with a slender 11.2mm thickness and a wearable 46mm lug-to-lug. The case’s flanks are polished, leading into polished bevels and brushed surfaces on the lugs, a pattern any owner of a steel Black Bay would know well. The watch also has a screw-down crown and a 200m water resistance rating.
The bezel sees an update for this model. Rather than an anodized aluminum insert, this bezel contains a mirror-polished steel insert with a contrasting matte-finished 60-minute scale for legibility.
Oh, but that dial!
The dial is a bright blue color reminiscent of the Tiffany blue associated with a certain Patek (and, though unofficially, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual). The texture of the dial is described as “sand-like,” and I’m looking forward to seeing it in the metal because, for once, the renders seem to reveal something rather enchanting. It’s usually quite hard to gather a true sense of a watch from renders, but that dial texture certainly looks inviting!
There’s the usual solid application of luminescent material on the hour markers, which are a fresh, stark white with steel surrounds. Tudor also executed the minute track and dial text in dark. The Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” comes on Tudor’s five-row bracelet with the handy T-fit micro-adjustment system. Inside the case beats the MT5400 caliber. This Kenissi-manufactured movement is a certified chronometer with further tolerances brought in by Tudor (-2/+4 seconds per day). It has 27 jewels and a 70-hour power reserve.
Concluding thoughts
In some ways, the Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” (€4,240 / US$4,350 / £3,590) reminds me of several other watches. Oris has done quite a lot of interesting work in the field of pastel-colored dials. Rolex, of course, has also released colored dials that have captured the public imagination. And, of course, the Fratello × Aquastar Deepstar II also comes to mind. I see this as another playful Tudor release that should truly pop in a shop window or perhaps on the wrist of someone outdoors. Best of all, it’s just fun. Is it for me? I’m not sure. I will have to see one in person. What do you think of this latest Tudor release, Fratelli? Let me know in the comments.
