Tudor Black Bay 36mm

With the introduction of the new Tudor Ranger, I thought I would wax poetic about my Tudor BB 36. 

I have owned this watch for years, and to this day, remains the favorite in my collection (my Grand Seiko SGBW231 being a *very* close second). Photos simply do not do this watch justice. Like the smiling “Self-Winding” on the dial, I smile every time I glance at this watch. 😁

The heft of the watch on bracelet hints at its quality. Even the finishing punches well above its price point. The 316L steel has a gleam and shine that surpasses all of my other brushed stainless steel watches. Not sure how Rolex/Tudor does it, but there’s a unique “glow” to this steel that my other watches cannot hold a candle to (different from the mirror-like finish of my GS).

Additionally if you have a smaller wrist (mine’s at 6.75”), the 36mm size is just about perfect.

Finally, FWIW, I can say with complete honesty that I prefer Tudor to Rolex. I fully appreciate Rolex but Tudor seems to speak to me as less aspirational and more relatable, affordable, all while being superbly made.

If you’ve been thinking about getting one, this is your sign! ;)

[Images take from Tudor’s website]

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That is a damn fine watch, sir!

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Agree with all of the above 👆 🤝

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Mr.Dee.Bater

That is a damn fine watch, sir!

Thank you! 🙏🏽

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Never have I had a Rolex so I can't say I'd pick tuodr over them..but I do have the same watch but 41 and in blue and it is also my favorite among my other watches in the collection..it's either tudor or seiko for me right now..have a couple Hamiltons and I respect those and a Cartier which is just stunning on the bracelet as well..the tudor just rocks man!!..wear it until the watch is nothing but scratches lol

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I ❤️ This watch! its on my list to have!! Simple elegant and chunky like my women 😂🍻🍻

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Stevieb

Never have I had a Rolex so I can't say I'd pick tuodr over them..but I do have the same watch but 41 and in blue and it is also my favorite among my other watches in the collection..it's either tudor or seiko for me right now..have a couple Hamiltons and I respect those and a Cartier which is just stunning on the bracelet as well..the tudor just rocks man!!..wear it until the watch is nothing but scratches lol

Yes, all excellent brands. I love my Hamiltons and my Cartier. Seiko too. But this admittedly “quirky” Tudor with its snowflake hands just ticks all of my quirky boxes. 😅

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I’m with you on Tudor>Rolex. I can honestly say I’d rather have a BB58 than a sub.  Tudor makes what Rolex used to make, high quality, sports-oriented watches that are expensive enough to make you think “luxury” but not so expensive you’re afraid to wear them.  To me they’re sitting in a sweet spot. 

That said, I like the Explorer more than the BB36 or the Ranger. Those are both great looking watches and I’ll probably get a Ranger at some point, but there’s just something about the Explorer.  To me it’s just perfect. 

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I love the BB36. It’s my next big purchase for sure. I do wish Tudor would have more fun with the dial colours though, instead of all the odd gold variations they’ve released recently. 

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Tudor, the watch that’s with you through all of life’s experiences while your saving for a Rolex.  Nothing wrong with aspirations but in the end, I’ll take the watch that’s been there along the way.

The BB36 is an outstanding watch. 

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My reigning favorite Tudor (possibly only until I try on the new Ranger, though).

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thekris

I’m with you on Tudor>Rolex. I can honestly say I’d rather have a BB58 than a sub.  Tudor makes what Rolex used to make, high quality, sports-oriented watches that are expensive enough to make you think “luxury” but not so expensive you’re afraid to wear them.  To me they’re sitting in a sweet spot. 

That said, I like the Explorer more than the BB36 or the Ranger. Those are both great looking watches and I’ll probably get a Ranger at some point, but there’s just something about the Explorer.  To me it’s just perfect. 

Very well said my friend. I will always appreciate the explorer. I feel very fortunate that the BB36 suits my tastes even more. 

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very nice watch, looks cleaner too than the ranger

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As a BB36 owner myself I completely agree. The finishing on this watch is stunning. People write it off for the movement but I think that’s silly. Sure other watches between $500-$2000 have the same movement, but for one most are lower grade versions which aren’t regulated like this one is and the finishing on this watch surpasses anything in its price range without a Grand Seiko logo on it. The quality really is up to Rolex level and the movement is just as accurate but way cheaper to service. Hopefully they add the in house movement and new clasp some time this year. But for me, I’d probably still pick this version over that if I could find it on a bracelet lightly used for around $2k. The cheap to service movement and design of the clasp vs the new T-Fit make me like this version more. 
 

Side note, I’m jealous that you also have the SBGW231! That’s one of my favorite GS models and is such a good compliment to this Tudor. 

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It’s really nice watch! I did think of buying one but I didn’t get over the line because I was hoping it had the in house movement. Now that the Ranger is out maybe I should compare them at an AD and see which one I like better 

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brett2396

As a BB36 owner myself I completely agree. The finishing on this watch is stunning. People write it off for the movement but I think that’s silly. Sure other watches between $500-$2000 have the same movement, but for one most are lower grade versions which aren’t regulated like this one is and the finishing on this watch surpasses anything in its price range without a Grand Seiko logo on it. The quality really is up to Rolex level and the movement is just as accurate but way cheaper to service. Hopefully they add the in house movement and new clasp some time this year. But for me, I’d probably still pick this version over that if I could find it on a bracelet lightly used for around $2k. The cheap to service movement and design of the clasp vs the new T-Fit make me like this version more. 
 

Side note, I’m jealous that you also have the SBGW231! That’s one of my favorite GS models and is such a good compliment to this Tudor. 

Very well said my friend! To me, the ETA movement is actually a big plus! I’m all for  in-house horology but serviceability is also super appreciated. And the finishing is completely on par with its sister company Rolex. 
 

And yes, I just have to add,  the GS SGBW231 is a perfect complement. I couldn’t be happier with these two watches  👊🏼

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DailyDial

I hear you.  Fwiw, personally I’m loving the no date for a couple of reasons. 
 

First, the no date means an exceptional clean dial. On top of that, it’s much more of a grab and go type of watch without the date. Setting a time-only watch is surprisingly a lot less of a bother. 🤷‍♂️

Good points! But it's so expensive (for me) that if I where to get one it would be my daily watch. And then I would need a date comp. I wish there where more options ☺️ Maybe in time

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I echo that sentiment! "That is a damn fine watch, sir!" 😎 👍🏼

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My BB36 is hands down my most worn watch - love it! I could stare at the black lacquer dial all day. 

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Such a beautiful looking watch you got there and the black dial… perfection. I would like to get one for myself someday. 

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Calumets

My BB36 is hands down my most worn watch - love it! I could stare at the black lacquer dial all day. 

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Yes, the rich black dial really is something special. 👊🏼

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DailyDial

Yes, the rich black dial really is something special. 👊🏼

💯 👊🏼

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That’s a beautiful watch! I think the hour markers in the BB36 looks cleaner than the new Ranger. The advantage to me for the new Ranger is the better movement. But it all depends if that’s a deciding factor or not. Who am I kidding, I still bought the new SuperOcean even though it’s an ETA based movement 😂

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Jt0909

That’s a beautiful watch! I think the hour markers in the BB36 looks cleaner than the new Ranger. The advantage to me for the new Ranger is the better movement. But it all depends if that’s a deciding factor or not. Who am I kidding, I still bought the new SuperOcean even though it’s an ETA based movement 😂

Fwiw, I can’t speak more highly of my watches with ETA movements. And this Tudor is an incredible  +1 second a day.  I do appreciate high horology and in-house movements, but honestly prefer the  reliability and serviceability of ETA movements. 

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A bb36 and a sbgw231 both in my wish list sir 

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 You won’t regret it my friend! They are classic, superbly made and a pleasure to wear. Good luck!

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The release of the Ranger has only strengthened by reasoning for wanting to add the BB36 to my collection next. I had hands-on with the Ranger last week and whilst it ticks a lot of boxes, the BB simply pops and a real understated beauty. It's such a great size, design and quality. The only thing to decide now is either black or blue? At the moment black edges it but until I compare both side-by-side, I'm still undecided...

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Hodler604

The release of the Ranger has only strengthened by reasoning for wanting to add the BB36 to my collection next. I had hands-on with the Ranger last week and whilst it ticks a lot of boxes, the BB simply pops and a real understated beauty. It's such a great size, design and quality. The only thing to decide now is either black or blue? At the moment black edges it but until I compare both side-by-side, I'm still undecided...

I hear you completely. I like the Ranger and can see its charm but it only increases my appreciation for my BB36. 

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BB36 💯% over the new Ranger 😍👌

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I am saving up for this one. #someday

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Jerve88

I am saving up for this one. #someday

Good luck! You won’t be disappointed.