BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
In the year 1967 Tudor set out to create a unique watch to meet some specific requirements of the US Navy. Codenamed “Commando” the watch, unfortunately, did not make it beyond the prototype stage back then, but 50 years later the brand has finally created a production version inspired by the 60’s prototype in the form of the new Tudor Black Bay P01. Featuring a distinctive new case design with a unique bezel-locking mechanism, this new watch is the Black Bay you would have never imagined before. So without further ado let’s have a quick look at this quirky new dive watch.
Made out of stainless steel the 42 mm asymmetrical case is the highlight of this watch and what basically differentiates it from other black bay watches. Bearing a brushed finish throughout, the case features an offset crown at 4 and a unique lug design which comprises of a special hinged end link which acts a bezel locking mechanism and can be utilized to restrict the movement of the 12 hr/60 click bidirectional bezel when locked in. Further to that the end links also connect the hybrid leather/rubber strap to the case.
But as different as this new watch might be in its case design, the dial makes it feel at home among other members of the Black Bay family. Presented in a Matt black finish the dial on the P01 features the popular snowflake handset which is a signature element of all current generation black bays. On the outer periphery of the dial are printed hash markings which form the minute track whereas the hour markers have been presented in the form of thickly printed lume plots which are a combination of circles, rectangles at 9 and 6 and a triangle at 12. There is a date window at 3 for date lovers and Tudor has also added a splash of color by printing the 200-meter depth rating in red.
Powering this new watch is the brand’s in-house caliber MT5612 which is a familiar trustworthy automatic movement from Tudor that powers quite a few other Black bay watches. It operates at a frequency of 28800 bph offering a power reserve of 70 hours and is also COSC certified for high accuracy.
The Tudor Black Bay P01 is a strange looking watch which is certainly not for everyone. And while I do agree that this watch is not as handsome as the brand’s previous releases but I do have a feeling that it would have its takers in the long run. The watch would come attached to a hybrid leather strap with satin finished folding clasp and safety catch and would retail at a price of $3,950.
Visit Tudor here.
