The New, More Compact Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 Bumblebee

An important and yet slightly different member of the wide Black Bay family of dive watches, the Black Bay Chrono was released in 2017, not without some comments from the crowd. Indeed, the watch featured diving elements, the signature Snowflake hands, solid water-resistance, but also racing cues such as a tachymeter scale. Since its launch, the watch has evolved positively, gaining confidence and style with the Panda editions, the Pink and Flamingo models and several F1-themed carbon versions. But with the new Bumblebee edition released today, it’s not just about the colour scheme… What we’re looking at is a new, more compact version, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39… Or basically what Tudor did with the Black Bay when releasing the 58 edition.

Up until now, all versions of the BB Chrono have been sized at 41mm in diameter, 14.2mm in height and 49.9mm lug-to-lug. Not the most compact watch, but also a rather sporty chronograph with 200m water-resistance. The new Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 Bumblebee reduces the size on basically all levels. Diameter? 39mm. Thickness? 13.1mm. Lug-to-lug? 47mm. The result, which we’re looking forward to reviewing in due time, must certainly be pleasant on the wrist and will gain in wearing comfort.

The rest, however, doesn’t change much. The Black Bay Chrono 39 is still equipped with a fixed anodised aluminium bezel with tachymeter scale, framing a domed sapphire crystal. The pushers, unfortunately, are still screwed, but the water-resistance remains at 200m. Some details, besides the size reduction, have been updated. Just like the updated BB and BB58, the crown comes back to a more traditional shape, and the caseback feels more domed than before. As a positive consequence, the flanks (which were very tall on the classic BB chrono) now appear thinner.

Part of the “Daring Watches” collection alongside the Pink and Flamingo models, the new Black Bay Chrono 39 Bumblebee introduces another bold colour scheme, with a matte yellow dial and blackened accents on the sub-counters, hands and applied markers. All elements are still filled with white Super-LumiNova, and the handset remains classic, with the snowflake hour hand.

Inside the case, no surprise. The Black Bay Chrono 39 is still powered by the calibre MT5813, based on the architecture of the Breitling B01. This automatic COSC-certified chronograph features a column wheel, operates at 4Hz, and provides a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. Exclusive to Tudor, it features a silicon balance spring alongside a variable inertia balance. Tudor applies a -2/+4 seconds variation standard on the assembled watch.

The BB39 Chrono Bumblebee comes on a 3-link (no rivets) stainless steel bracelet closed by a folding clasp. It is equipped with the brand’s practical T-Fit micro-adjustment system.

The Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 Bumblebee isn’t a limited edition, but being part of the “Daring Watches” range, it is not as easily accessible as other Tudor watches. It is priced at EUR 6,200 or CHF 5,500. For more details, please visit tudorwatch.com.