The Big(ger) and Mighty Tudor Black Bay 68

The word is out—Tudor is swimming against the current downsizing trend, boldly introducing the new 43mm Black Bay 68 series. First impressions are in, and now all that’s left is to see how the customer responds. Tudor’s reasoning? The brand says it’s about “meeting the demand for various case sizes to fit all types of wrists.” Fair enough—though Tudor designers probably weren’t thinking of our own Brice’s 16.5cm wrist when they said that (cheers to Brice for modelling it anyway). As for me? I’m the man who keeps an XL in the wardrobe, so big doesn’t faze me one bit. And let’s not forget that 43mm, 45mm—even bigger—was totally the norm back in the early 2000s for many, long before the 36mm and 39mm renaissance we’re seeing today.

So the Black Bay 68 isn’t trying to fit in, and it’s just doing its own thing. And that’s worth appreciating. Let’s look at it for what it is: a rugged, beautifully built Tudor for those who still like their watches with a bit of presence. The 43mm Black Bay 68 case design is exactly what you’d expect from Tudor—a no-nonsense diver through and through. Crafted from stainless steel, it measures 13.6mm thick with a 51.8mm lug-to-lug, offering solid wrist presence without going completely overboard. The unidirectional fluted bezel features a matte black aluminium insert with a familiar dive scale, keeping things classic and functional.

You’ve got all the Black Bay hallmark details too: the fluted crown topped with the Tudor rose, a domed sapphire crystal, a solid caseback, and 200 meters of water resistance. The mostly brushed case is accented by polished bevels along the sides, adding just the right touch of refinement. When it comes to proportions, there’s not much to nitpick—if you’re choosing this 43mm piece with intention. On the wrist, it wears with a satisfying presence. It’s not feather-light, and that’s kind of the point. Paired with the steel bracelet, it delivers that solid, reassuring feel many of us look for in a tool watch.

With the Black Bay 68, Tudor offers two dial options: Tudor Blue and Silver, both featuring a brushed finish. The Tudor Blue dial pairs with silver-toned hands and indices, while the Silver dial contrasts beautifully with black-accented hands and markers. Both versions feature familiar three-dimensional markers and hands filled with Super-Luminova for exceptional visibility. True to Tudor tradition, the hour hand sports the iconic Snowflake design, the minute hand is sword-shaped, and the central seconds hand features a lollipop tip with a luminous round spot. A printed minute and seconds track—either in silver or black, depending on the dial—frames the design. It’s a familiar formula that continues to deliver: readable, recognisable, and effortlessly functional.

Before we get to the bracelet, a few words about the movement sealed beneath the solid caseback—perfectly in line with the Black Bay 68’s rugged, tool-watch character. Powering the watch is the MT5601-U, an automatic calibre manufactured by Kenissi and certified as a Master Chronometer by METAS. It features a bidirectional rotor, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and delivers an impressive 70-hour power reserve. The movement is equipped with a silicon hairspring and a variable inertia balance wheel, offering outstanding precision with an accuracy of -2/+4 seconds per day, and resistance to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss.

As for the bracelet, it’s the familiar three-link stainless steel design with brushed and polished finishing—but now with a much-welcomed update: removing the faux rivets. Paired with the easily adjustable T-Fit clasp, it feels more refined and comfortable than ever, staying true to the Tudor style we appreciate. While no strap options were offered at launch—a choice Tudor might revisit later—the steel-on-steel combination looks fantastic, especially with the Tudor Blue dial and its contrasting black bezel. The Silver dial variant is equally compelling, adding a touch of finesse that suits the larger Black Bay format beautifully, making it feel balanced and even a bit sophisticated.

Ultimately, with the new Black Bay 68, the real question is whether the 43mm case size is right for you—because in terms of look, feel, and quality, it is unmistakably a Tudor Black Bay. It’s versatile enough to suit wrists both large and small and broadens the Black Bay lineup: where the 43mm bronze editions (offered on straps only for a similar price) once stood alone, they now share the space with the Master Chronometer-certified Black Bay 68 in stainless steel on a bracelet—priced competitively at EUR 4,730.

For more details, please visit TudorWatch.com.