Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G Review
By complete luck, I purchased the first one of these sold in the St. Louis marketplace last week (according to the AD). I paid the MSRP of $5,500, and as of the date of this post, there are three listed on Chrono24 for $7,989 to $8,100.
I had been on a waiting list with the AD for a Black Bay Heritage S&G since early January. I had a deposit in, and they would check in here and there offering me a different watch. I said no--my heart was set on the Heritage S&G.
Last week, I couldn't wait anymore, and ordered a used one from Chrono24. Within hours I received an e-mail from the AD, offering me this root beer GMT, stating I would be the first, and it would be a reward for my patience. I went to see it in person, and realized it looks even better in the metal. I said I would take it (of course). As I was typing the e-mail to Chrono24 to cancel the order and refund my money, they sent me a message saying that it has shipped!
It was a bit of a headache, but Chrono24 could not have been more gracious, and returned my money in a few days.
Now, about the watch--what you really clicked on this for.
There are a ton of reviews on this already, so let me just jump in to the things that you may not already know from other reviews. First, it's better in person than on-screen, as I mentioned previously. The gold is a unique shade of gold. It's yellow gold, but looks almost more like rose gold in person. It's very coppery--kind of in-between yellow and rose gold. Very cool.
All of the metal is brushed, which when combined with this "copper" gold, makes the two tone a little more muted. The brown in the root beer bezel furthers this effect. Don't get me wrong; it's an attention grabber. But let's be honest, if you aren't looking for just a little bit of that, your not looking into gold watches. However...this delivers just that--a little bit of attention grab. It doesn't scream at everyone from across the room. It's a sleeper that gets noticed a little later in the conversation.
Next, how can I not talk about the thickness? You would think after watching all of the coverage from Watches and Wonders that Tudor might have just changed it's name to "Thick, thick, thick (thick)."
I have a 7.5 inch wrist, and it does not bother me at all. When I say, "at all," I mean "at all." Had I not heard or read dozens or hundreds of times about how uncomfortably thick this is...I don't think the thought would have ever crossed my mind. It's not possible for the thickness to be more of a non-issue than it is for me. Of course, that's me, and my experience only. Your mileage may vary. Maybe check it out in person before you write off the Black Bays with this movement.
Here is the obligatory picture of the thickness. It's not "thick;" it's "thicc." 🤣
I really have only one complaint. Mine came with just a tiny touch of damage/wear. If I truly purchased the first one of these sold in the St. Louis market place, I think that my piece may have been handled by reviewers or displayed in some fashion.
The gold where the pointy part of the bracelet touches the link has been rubbed away. Yes, it came like that. It is obviously from wear, or I suppose, it is possible it rubbed in shipping... Regardless, I wasn't going to turn it down.
This leads to another question. Aren't these links supposed to be gold "capped," which is thicker than "plated?" This doesn't appear to be the case. Then again, I don't know if Tudor claims this thing about capped vs. plated, or if it is just talked about by reviewers... Pic of the damage the watch came with below. It's hard to make it out in the picture, but the gold is completely worn away, and the steel is exposed.
I wish that they had an open case back--I wish all automatic/mechanical watches did. If they aren't going to do that, it would have been nice if they at least had some cool design on the back. Then again had they done either of those...it would have made it thicker. 🤣
Buy the watch. A+
Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G Review
Yes
No
- Design
- Unique & Muted Gold Tone
- Quality
- Came In Other Than New Condition
After not wearing a watch for over 10 years, I fell into the watch collecting hobby in the fall of 2021.
That's hot
Awesome, thanks for the review. I got the GMT a few months ago, and kind of wish I had waited. Are these scratches that came with the watch, or just dirt?
If so, this one might have been on display at watches and wonders.
My biggest complain on this cool Tudor new release is can't believe at this price level they still used aluminium insert. Also as an owner of Rolex bluey subs two tone... Good luck with scratches on the watch. They are just scratch magnet, personally even on my Rolex I hardly used the original bracelet..instead I used third party rubber strap or steel mesh.
Congrats on the pickup and thanks for the review. I usually like smaller/thinner watches and don’t find a GMT complication that useful, and yet for some reason this was my favorite W&W release by a good margin. I am a sucker for two tone+brown
Pretty detailed review. Enjoy the watch, looks great!
Nice write-up. Enjoy the new piece! 👍
Awesome, thanks for the review. I got the GMT a few months ago, and kind of wish I had waited. Are these scratches that came with the watch, or just dirt?
If so, this one might have been on display at watches and wonders.
Scratches… I had not even noticed those until you pointed them out. I hope it was on display there. That would be a cooler story than someone simply had it before me.
My biggest complain on this cool Tudor new release is can't believe at this price level they still used aluminium insert. Also as an owner of Rolex bluey subs two tone... Good luck with scratches on the watch. They are just scratch magnet, personally even on my Rolex I hardly used the original bracelet..instead I used third party rubber strap or steel mesh.
I agree on the aluminum, but it does mute the loudness compared to ceramic. That could be a positive or a negative. Thanks for the advice on the bracelet. This is my first one.
I agree on the aluminum, but it does mute the loudness compared to ceramic. That could be a positive or a negative. Thanks for the advice on the bracelet. This is my first one.
Well I actually think Tudor intend to make this watch scream loudness... Otherwise it won't choose yellow gold would they? But hey regardless, that root beer color is awesome 😍
You can't go wrong with a fat bottomed girl. Great buy there and it will last a life time.
Congrats!!! I really like this watch on the strap. I have the BB Chrono Panda that has the same dimensions. I also have a 7.5" wrist and the watch wears fine. The thickness is not a problem. Compared to my Omega Seamaster 300M chrono, the Tudor Panda is a lightweight!
Great review - thanks.
Just got back from one of my ADs and guess what they had hiding in the back...I agree with most of your assessments. It is better looking in person. It was definitely a thick case but more than that, it was very heavy. I could have bought it but the BB Bronze is higher on my wish list.
This watch is really wonderful! Like the style! enjoy!
Excellent review.
Excellent review . I owned a steel version of tudor GMT aka pepsi . And getting my root beer GMT in leather strap version tomorrow. Now it complete in almost any wearing situations. Causal or formal . Very excited . But i am paying at retail price and it is worth it . I could not find anywhere that’s is less than retail price at this moment .
I just bought a Tudor GMT Root-beer with bracelet (NIB) for about $250 over retail. My AD said there were 20 people ahead of me so that meant probably a 2 year wait. I thought the price I paid was worth getting what I wanted now. But I'm seeing prices trending down. Could it be a time of Watch turmoil with falling prices? I don't know. But this is a fine watch that photos really can't show. Not sure why. For my 7.5" wrist it rocks.
Just got back from one of my ADs and guess what they had hiding in the back...I agree with most of your assessments. It is better looking in person. It was definitely a thick case but more than that, it was very heavy. I could have bought it but the BB Bronze is higher on my wish list.
Enjoy! I actually got a compliment on mine yesterday. Very rare that someone notices.
Excellent review.
Thank you, sir! :-)
I just bought a Tudor GMT Root-beer with bracelet (NIB) for about $250 over retail. My AD said there were 20 people ahead of me so that meant probably a 2 year wait. I thought the price I paid was worth getting what I wanted now. But I'm seeing prices trending down. Could it be a time of Watch turmoil with falling prices? I don't know. But this is a fine watch that photos really can't show. Not sure why. For my 7.5" wrist it rocks.
Oh my gosh... 2 year waits on Tudors now?! I'm loving mine. I know that you will feel the same about yours. Enjoy!
Great job!! Looks great enjoy !!
Great review and thanks.
I bought one recently and paid UK retail of £4290.00 from an AD. I discovered another brand new unworn one 25 miles away in another retailers at £6000.00. Needless to say that when I looked again a couple of days ago, it still hadn't sold.
I have a slight mark on the bracelet in the same position as yours, but it hasn't penetrated the gold so far, so I will have to take extra care when removin and putting it back on or it will really annoy me!
Enjoy the new Tudor! I still love mine a few months later.
Thanks for a great review, especially the points you bring up about the more subdued colors, which is what first caught my attention. I really like the retro vibe it has - I read somewhere someone describe it as what a Pan Am 747 pilot would have worn in 1970 - totally dig it.
I was able to get mine a week after requesting it - the AD said someone took a pass on it, and I scooped it up that day. I bought it with the bracelet and also purchased a deployant and leather strap (the AD gifted me the strap, so as a result I'll likely buy more stuff from him:). I did experiment putting it on a SS Jubilee as I thought about "saving" the bracelet, but the Jubilee lasted less than a day as I really missed the warmth of the brushed gold.
Regarding size, my wrist is 7.25 and it wears comfortably - no issues with it being top-heavy or not balanced. I like a heavy watch, and this one on the bracelet does not disappoint.
My S&G bracelet has the same, exact scratch (gouge?) at the clasp, and I've read elsewhere that others are experiencing the same issue. While it's annoying, and really unacceptable at this price point, I'm cool with it and chalk it up to marks of my experiences with the watch, which thus far have been very positive.
Thanks again for your thoughtful review.
I have the same watch since early July. Loved it then, love it now. It’s pretty big and a tiny bit gaudy and very retro which is what I wanted. Thickness takes a little time to get used to but it is not a problem. Even now that the “new” has worn off I still think it is one of the best looking watches out there, forget brand. I’d buy it again, 100%!
I was the first client at my AD to take delivery of a Black Bay GMT S&G. I wasn’t a member on this forum at the time but I agree with you overall assessment. I love my RootBeer. I find the brushed finish on the bracelet does a good job of hiding hairline scratches. Definitely a keeper! Cheers, and enjoy yours in the best of health!!
Great review! Thank you! Normally not a fan of two-tone but it works here. Looks amazing! where does it come in at for the thickness of the watch?
Great review! Thank you! Normally not a fan of two-tone but it works here. Looks amazing! where does it come in at for the thickness of the watch?
Thanks! It is thick...heavy too. I wear a dress shirt to work every day, and it manages to slide under the cuff (I do wear my cuffs looser on the second button). That being said, it is the thickest watch that I own. If you prefer thinner watches, but can live with a thicker one, then I wouldn't let the thickness deter you from getting it. On the other hand, if you know that a thick watch just isn't for you, then there may be a better option for you out there.
It's still one of my favorite watches. It certainly has the cool factor, and I get more comments on it than any other watch in my collection.
I was the first client at my AD to take delivery of a Black Bay GMT S&G. I wasn’t a member on this forum at the time but I agree with you overall assessment. I love my RootBeer. I find the brushed finish on the bracelet does a good job of hiding hairline scratches. Definitely a keeper! Cheers, and enjoy yours in the best of health!!
Same to you, my friend. I've had mine for almost a year now, and I still love it. Enjoy!
Thanks for a great review, especially the points you bring up about the more subdued colors, which is what first caught my attention. I really like the retro vibe it has - I read somewhere someone describe it as what a Pan Am 747 pilot would have worn in 1970 - totally dig it.
I was able to get mine a week after requesting it - the AD said someone took a pass on it, and I scooped it up that day. I bought it with the bracelet and also purchased a deployant and leather strap (the AD gifted me the strap, so as a result I'll likely buy more stuff from him:). I did experiment putting it on a SS Jubilee as I thought about "saving" the bracelet, but the Jubilee lasted less than a day as I really missed the warmth of the brushed gold.
Regarding size, my wrist is 7.25 and it wears comfortably - no issues with it being top-heavy or not balanced. I like a heavy watch, and this one on the bracelet does not disappoint.
My S&G bracelet has the same, exact scratch (gouge?) at the clasp, and I've read elsewhere that others are experiencing the same issue. While it's annoying, and really unacceptable at this price point, I'm cool with it and chalk it up to marks of my experiences with the watch, which thus far have been very positive.
Thanks again for your thoughtful review.
Sorry for the five month delay reply...
Thank you for the thoughtful reply, and I agree with everything that you said. This is still one of my favorite pieces, and it gets more comments than any other that I own. Enjoy the Black Bay!