The New Tudor Black Bay 58 in Black-Gilt

Tudor was founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf with a clear-cut mission to offer Rolex-level dependability at more accessible prices. Stepping out from under the shadow of its big brother in 2010, Tudor has developed a distinctive personality built around a mix of vintage and modern tool watches, spearheaded by the 2012 Black Bay line. For 2026, Tudor proposes a classic black dial with gilt accents for its Black Bay 58, a model based on the more compact 39mm Black Bay Fifty-Eight of 2018 that was revisited last year with a burgundy dial, and, more importantly, equipped with the manufacture calibre MT5400 with COSC and METAS Master Chronometer certification. The new Black Bay 58 reinforces the idea that the Black Bay line is moving beyond heritage styling toward genuinely modern mechanical performance.

The 39mm x 11.7mm stainless steel case is finished with polished and satin-brushed surfaces and features a unidirectional rotating steel bezel with a black anodised aluminium insert, gilt markings and sharper, more defined knurling for improved grip. Like the 2025 edition, the redesigned screw-down crown with its Tudor rose logo in relief sits flush with the polished caseband.

With its black-and-gold John Player Special looks, the slightly domed dial is matte black with gilt accents on the peripheral track, the inscriptions and the frames of the applied indices and hands – all treated with Super-LumiNova. Naturally, the iconic 1969 snowflake hour hand is featured, and the central seconds hand replaces the rhomboid shape with a round lollipop, recalling the look of the brand’s early dive watches. Consolidating its retro appeal, the dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal.

Tudor is particularly proud of the METAS Master Chronometer certification covering the Black Bay 58. Powered by the Kenissi-manufacture calibre MT5400-U with a 65-hour power reserve, a 4Hz frequency and a stop-seconds function for precision time-setting, the advantage of METAS certification is that it tests the complete watch, not just the movement. Before being submitted to METAS standards, the watch must have obtained COSC chronometer certification. Demanding a tighter accuracy standard than COSC, strong resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, and verification of 200m water-resistance and power reserve, the METAS certification ensures reliable performance after casing.

Versatility is also emphasised with the choice of three bracelet/strap options. The most period-correct option is the three-link rivet-style bracelet, recalling Tudor’s riveted bracelets of the 1950s and 1960s. There is also a five-link steel bracelet and a black rubber strap. All three options are fitted with the Tudor T-fit clasp for rapid, tool-free length adjustments of up to 8mm. The clasp has ceramic ball bearings for a smooth and secure closure.

The BB58 on the riveted bracelet retails for CHF 4,350, on the five-link bracelet for CHF 4,250, and on a rubber strap for CHF 4,050 (all prices include VAT).

More information at tudorwatch.com.