Black Bay Pro - Thoughts?
Hi all,
I'm considering buying myself the Tudor Black Bay Pro as my first expensive watch. For those of you who have had the pleasure of owning this watch, how was your experience with it?
Personally, I love the vintage design, and feel it will make a good everyday companion alongside my Tissot PRX and Casioak. I was originally considering the Longines Zulu Time, but when I saw the BB pro, my desire for the Longines simply vanished. I've attached photos of that piece either way for your viewing pleasure.
Many reviews mention "thickness" as a strong negative, however I barely noticed it being too thick at all. Perhaps it has to do with the lovely bracelet, but it truly just melted on my wrist.
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
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I absolutely love it. I’ll definitely be buying one when my bank balance allows. Really don’t see the thickness as a problem, i actually like it’s thickness.
If I was to buy a Tudor it would be the BB Pro, I think it looks great. If it feels right on I’d say go for it, numbers can’t always be relied on to give you the whole story. At the Stockholm Time event last year I tried on a deep diver by a brand called Epoch Stockholm and it’s huge with a thickness of 16.5mm and a lug to lug of 53, but it looked and felt great on so I’m seriously considering it. Luckily it’s not out yet so I can think about it a little more.
Thickness is not a problem but as someone who has the pleasure to have my hand on both I could say the following:
Due to the position of BB Pro, it does not feel as luxury/well finished as Longines. The case shape is just a simple brick and the hour indicies are just white shapes with no brushed finishing (the same goes to the hands). So it doesn’t play with the light and feels like a more like a tool which is exactly the intend behind the design. It wasn’t made to look luxury.
Longines, on the other side, has a few levels of finishing both on the case and the dial. With Longines, you get that multi-dimensional dial that catches any light beautifully. And the case, as one YouTuber said, looks like a supercar due to its form and polished bevels. + beautifully finished and placed date wheel.
Since you can get the rotating bezel only with Longines amongst the two, you can use it as a Caller’s GMT in the office, as well, by rotating the bezel to match the hour zone you need. Also, you can ‘sort-of’ time things with the rotating bezel, as well.
Personally, I did not find the case of BB to be too thick, so it is personal, I guess.
To conclude, in the end of the day, it goes down to whether you prefer toolish or stylish design. Also, I believe with Longines you get a quick strap change system.
Good choice. 🍻
I have the BB GMT, and like the Pro it is thick, but not feeling so when on. I find the colour a tad bland, which is what drew me to the GMT - that Pepsi bezel. The Pro looks like a proper tool watch, with fancy and unnecessary additions. Follow your heart and buy what makes you happy and smile!
I say absolutely go for it. As an owner of a Tudor Black Bay GMT I can say that this brand is fantastic value for money because you’re getting Rolex quality for a considerably lower price 👌
I have a BBPro and have enjoyed it for 6 months. The thickness is really a non-issue exaggerated by YouTube ‘experts’ who just need another talking point. The full lume indices and hands against a grainy black dial look rugged and quite cool imo.
I am now planning on selling it to fund another purchase, so feel free to drop me a message if you’re interested.
Thickness is not a problem but as someone who has the pleasure to have my hand on both I could say the following:
Due to the position of BB Pro, it does not feel as luxury/well finished as Longines. The case shape is just a simple brick and the hour indicies are just white shapes with no brushed finishing (the same goes to the hands). So it doesn’t play with the light and feels like a more like a tool which is exactly the intend behind the design. It wasn’t made to look luxury.
Longines, on the other side, has a few levels of finishing both on the case and the dial. With Longines, you get that multi-dimensional dial that catches any light beautifully. And the case, as one YouTuber said, looks like a supercar due to its form and polished bevels. + beautifully finished and placed date wheel.
Since you can get the rotating bezel only with Longines amongst the two, you can use it as a Caller’s GMT in the office, as well, by rotating the bezel to match the hour zone you need. Also, you can ‘sort-of’ time things with the rotating bezel, as well.
Personally, I did not find the case of BB to be too thick, so it is personal, I guess.
To conclude, in the end of the day, it goes down to whether you prefer toolish or stylish design. Also, I believe with Longines you get a quick strap change system.
Personally I find those ‘white indices’ great. Who else is doing fully lumed/ ceramic indices on a watch (not like painted not lume filled indeices). They have a lovely 3D effect on them in person.
Not a 💯 sure but doesn’t the BB Pro get the T fit clasps?
Also love the chamfers on the case edge, one thing all modern Tudors have which is 🔥 compared to modern Rolex.
Longines is nice and are currently on a home run with their ‘spirit’ collection, however I find those ⭐️ on the dial a no no. Their lug to lug length can be an issue, but think this is negated with their smaller 39mm options now.
If beat frequency is an issue (how smooth the seconds hand swipes) Tudor being 4hz with the 70hr power reserve. Longines 3hz (stutters more) with 80hrs power reserve (I believe common with the powermatic swatch calibre).
Tudor for me. Although the future is bright for Longines & expect more exciting releases this year. Swatch group are pushing them up to Omega in the heirachy & direct competition for Tudor.
Personally I find those ‘white indices’ great. Who else is doing fully lumed/ ceramic indices on a watch (not like painted not lume filled indeices). They have a lovely 3D effect on them in person.
Not a 💯 sure but doesn’t the BB Pro get the T fit clasps?
Also love the chamfers on the case edge, one thing all modern Tudors have which is 🔥 compared to modern Rolex.
Longines is nice and are currently on a home run with their ‘spirit’ collection, however I find those ⭐️ on the dial a no no. Their lug to lug length can be an issue, but think this is negated with their smaller 39mm options now.
If beat frequency is an issue (how smooth the seconds hand swipes) Tudor being 4hz with the 70hr power reserve. Longines 3hz (stutters more) with 80hrs power reserve (I believe common with the powermatic swatch calibre).
Tudor for me. Although the future is bright for Longines & expect more exciting releases this year. Swatch group are pushing them up to Omega in the heirachy & direct competition for Tudor.
Yes, BB Pro gets the T-fit clasp.
It’s a great watch with unique aesthetic that I love, but it depends on the preference. If I were to buy my first semi-expensive watch, I would buy something that looks expensive (in the traditional sense).
Also, personally, I just need a rotating bezel on GMT.
I think the pro is a great looking watch. I own the Black Bay GMT rather than the Pro and the thickness has never bothered me. 👍🏻
I have had a Pro for well over a year and I still love it.
Wait till after watches & wonders. See what’s announced.
Looks great on the bracelet !
Just wanted to give you a tip that you can now easily order the Black Bay Harrods edition online without waiting time.
(In case you are interested)
You might like this... It's a Hodinkee collaboration which basically takes the lovely design elements of the BBPro, and pops them into a longine case..
You can buy them relatively unused for the same as a BBpro RRP...
All day long over the Longines.
The biggest con for me with the Tudor wasn’t the height, but rather weight. Love the build quality and design styling. If it’s comfortable for you, go for it. O personally think it is still a step up from the Longines, the gap is closing though. I dig the Pro.
Someone loves their GMTs 🤣
What are your thoughts about these watches? What are the highlights of each? Primary in regards to the Zulu vs BB
Haha yep, my collection is pretty evenly split between GMT, divers, and chronos.. The BB Pro has a lot going for it - proper tool watch, solid build, and essential T-fit clasp. The Zulu Time is more sporty & stylish with its glossy bezel (which rotates unlike the Tudor) and sunburst dial. While it doesn't have a glidelock style clasp, it does have quick release endlinks which is great if you love swapping to straps. No loser here, so either is great depending on your needs
Thickness is not a problem but as someone who has the pleasure to have my hand on both I could say the following:
Due to the position of BB Pro, it does not feel as luxury/well finished as Longines. The case shape is just a simple brick and the hour indicies are just white shapes with no brushed finishing (the same goes to the hands). So it doesn’t play with the light and feels like a more like a tool which is exactly the intend behind the design. It wasn’t made to look luxury.
Longines, on the other side, has a few levels of finishing both on the case and the dial. With Longines, you get that multi-dimensional dial that catches any light beautifully. And the case, as one YouTuber said, looks like a supercar due to its form and polished bevels. + beautifully finished and placed date wheel.
Since you can get the rotating bezel only with Longines amongst the two, you can use it as a Caller’s GMT in the office, as well, by rotating the bezel to match the hour zone you need. Also, you can ‘sort-of’ time things with the rotating bezel, as well.
Personally, I did not find the case of BB to be too thick, so it is personal, I guess.
To conclude, in the end of the day, it goes down to whether you prefer toolish or stylish design. Also, I believe with Longines you get a quick strap change system.
SUPER helpful. I’m planning my next purchase to be a Longines Zulu Time (green). Doesn’t sound like I’ll have any regrets.
And yes, Zulu Time had the easiest detachable bracelet I’ve ever seen. That’s precisely the feature that tipped me to deciding I’m buying one once I see the right price. I think I’ll probably be a duty-free next time I’m in Europe (March), unless you have better suggestions?
SUPER helpful. I’m planning my next purchase to be a Longines Zulu Time (green). Doesn’t sound like I’ll have any regrets.
And yes, Zulu Time had the easiest detachable bracelet I’ve ever seen. That’s precisely the feature that tipped me to deciding I’m buying one once I see the right price. I think I’ll probably be a duty-free next time I’m in Europe (March), unless you have better suggestions?
Duty free sounds like a good idea, but I believe you can get a discount on Longines in most ADs nowadays. Good luck!
Go for the pro... Its really cool. On the bracelet you will not feel any thickness at all. For aftermarket try the Hirsch performance straps. It goes well with the Pro.
I wanted to love Tudor and clamored over them for a few months before going to an AD. Once I held one and compared it to GS and Omega and Rolex I quickly lost my stomach for them. I am sure they are great quality mechanical watches and if you like them by all means enjoy. But for me I have never been so wrong about something I thought I would like. So so boring for me.
I owned it and sold it to put towards an Explorer II. I subsequently sold the Explorer II and purchased the Pro again. It is my preference and every time I wear it I seem to keep it on for weeks at a time. I love it. You won’t regret it. Would be nice if it was thinner, but I don’t notice the thickness during actual wear. It’s comfortable, and the looks are killer. I say go for it!
The BB Pro is my all time favorite from Tudor. Thickness is not an issue at all for me. The gmt feature is highly visible and quite useful. This is a great all around watch.
Thickness is not a problem but as someone who has the pleasure to have my hand on both I could say the following:
Due to the position of BB Pro, it does not feel as luxury/well finished as Longines. The case shape is just a simple brick and the hour indicies are just white shapes with no brushed finishing (the same goes to the hands). So it doesn’t play with the light and feels like a more like a tool which is exactly the intend behind the design. It wasn’t made to look luxury.
Longines, on the other side, has a few levels of finishing both on the case and the dial. With Longines, you get that multi-dimensional dial that catches any light beautifully. And the case, as one YouTuber said, looks like a supercar due to its form and polished bevels. + beautifully finished and placed date wheel.
Since you can get the rotating bezel only with Longines amongst the two, you can use it as a Caller’s GMT in the office, as well, by rotating the bezel to match the hour zone you need. Also, you can ‘sort-of’ time things with the rotating bezel, as well.
Personally, I did not find the case of BB to be too thick, so it is personal, I guess.
To conclude, in the end of the day, it goes down to whether you prefer toolish or stylish design. Also, I believe with Longines you get a quick strap change system.
The answer for many.... Myself included, is to just get both 😅
Haha yep, my collection is pretty evenly split between GMT, divers, and chronos.. The BB Pro has a lot going for it - proper tool watch, solid build, and essential T-fit clasp. The Zulu Time is more sporty & stylish with its glossy bezel (which rotates unlike the Tudor) and sunburst dial. While it doesn't have a glidelock style clasp, it does have quick release endlinks which is great if you love swapping to straps. No loser here, so either is great depending on your needs
I'll probably end up with both 🫡
Personally I find those ‘white indices’ great. Who else is doing fully lumed/ ceramic indices on a watch (not like painted not lume filled indeices). They have a lovely 3D effect on them in person.
Not a 💯 sure but doesn’t the BB Pro get the T fit clasps?
Also love the chamfers on the case edge, one thing all modern Tudors have which is 🔥 compared to modern Rolex.
Longines is nice and are currently on a home run with their ‘spirit’ collection, however I find those ⭐️ on the dial a no no. Their lug to lug length can be an issue, but think this is negated with their smaller 39mm options now.
If beat frequency is an issue (how smooth the seconds hand swipes) Tudor being 4hz with the 70hr power reserve. Longines 3hz (stutters more) with 80hrs power reserve (I believe common with the powermatic swatch calibre).
Tudor for me. Although the future is bright for Longines & expect more exciting releases this year. Swatch group are pushing them up to Omega in the heirachy & direct competition for Tudor.
Fwiw the Zulu Time caliber is 72 hours Poser reserve and ticks at 7 times a second aka 25200bph aka 3.5 htz. It's movement is not related to the Powematic 80 at all.
I'll probably end up with both 🫡
Good call 😉
Good call 😉
For me the Anthracite and Green color way is just too cool. I'll say that the Blue is also LOVELY 🤩
Fwiw the Zulu Time caliber is 72 hours Poser reserve and ticks at 7 times a second aka 25200bph aka 3.5 htz. It's movement is not related to the Powematic 80 at all.
Thanks, case in point still. A slight slower tick 3.5hz vs 4hz 👍
SUPER helpful. I’m planning my next purchase to be a Longines Zulu Time (green). Doesn’t sound like I’ll have any regrets.
And yes, Zulu Time had the easiest detachable bracelet I’ve ever seen. That’s precisely the feature that tipped me to deciding I’m buying one once I see the right price. I think I’ll probably be a duty-free next time I’m in Europe (March), unless you have better suggestions?
Today was the day…