So I have one of these (Updated)
Today, I wish to talk about the Black Bay Pro. I remember the time I was anxiously waiting by the clock for Tudor to announce something new, only to be underwhelmed. I was not sure what to expect, another Black Bay 58 in another color perhaps?
Not being very well learned, I was not sure what to feel when I first saw the Black Bay Pro. I couldn't quite understand the fixed steel bezel on a GMT watch, The faux rivets were still there, and boy the watch was thicc. Close up shots revealed the quality of the paintwork over the hands weren't quite what I expected. I later got to know the design was based on a very old Rolex Explorer 2. Overall I am not sure, but I didn't like it. I had a friend who was into watches agreed with me. We were disappointed.
Then the reviews started to flood the internet. Some were good and some were bad. Some educated me on the history of the design. The thickness of the case dominated every discussion under the comments but youtubers claim 14.6mm isn't something you need to worry about, and I didn't believe them.
The only thing left to do was a trip to the dealer and find out myself. I was lucky they had one on display for trying on the wrist. I couldn't believe it. I have taught myself to hate this watch, but as I looked down on it as it sat on my wrist, It wasn't so bad after all. The thickness disappeared, and the yellow GMT hand popped. The lumed block markers made for a pretty definitive look. The steel bezel and riveted bracelet differentiated a man's wrist from a boy's. Finally, the domed crystal completes the vintage appeal of the watch.
I could not take my mind off the watch that night. So here I am today, a proud owner. From this experience, I've learned that one can never pass judgement until you see the watch in person, and can never tell if it suits you unless you wear it on your wrist. No, we don't discuss impulse and buyer's remorse here.
A watch with a great design talks to you, and that is why the crazy watch people here take so long to tell the time. And they have to take a second look again because they forgotten to see what time is it the first time.
UPDATE: From a small wrister perspective,
First of all, I will say based on the photos, I feel that I was able to carry the look. The case size of 39mm and the shorter lug to lug of 47mm(so says the internet)helped alot in making it wearable for such a small wrister like me.
I always thought of my perfect watch size to be a 36mm, but I have days where I want my watch to stand out and have more wrist presence. My daily Garmin is a 43mm, and I have mechanical watches in the size of 36, 39, 40, 41.5 and 42mm, and I so far have no issues as long as the lug to lugs are below 50mm.(I unfortunately had to find out the hard way of owning a watch with lug to lug 50mm though.)
As much as the case is obviously thick, it didn't bother me after a while wearing it. I was previously worried the case will bring some heft but so far so good. With it's taller profile, I am more worried about hitting the watch onto things though!
My small wrist also enabled me to lose a few links after sizing and that brought the entire weight of the watch down, so there isn't any wrist burden to talk of.
The BB Pro is not so much the slab monster like the 41mm BBs, hence the watch was able to hug the wrist pretty well for me. Overall, the watch wears really good for small wristers. I give it a 8.5/10
Thank you @Donster_125 for reminding me to share my experience as a small wrister!
And to those who pointed out, yes, the T-Fit Clasp definitely brings the watch to another level!
Hi everyone! I am alson with a small 'a' and I am a Singaporean Chinese. I started my watch journey real late. I was hitting 40 years old and decided to get me a nice luxury watch to mark the mileston...
That’s a fantastic journey alson. Thank you 👏 for sharing. I love watches that seem to get better and more loved longer you own them. I get that feeling with my E2 polar. The fixed steel gmt is so under the radar for non watch people so we can be selfish with our prize 🤣
I think sometimes we just have to give ourselve and the watch a chance before we say yes or no.
Was into cartier santos medium, but once i tried on the wrist, just not something i thrill and would wear for a long time, good watch tho.
Congratulations on bb pro, don’t forget about the T-Fit, is a game changer.
That’s a fantastic journey alson. Thank you 👏 for sharing. I love watches that seem to get better and more loved longer you own them. I get that feeling with my E2 polar. The fixed steel gmt is so under the radar for non watch people so we can be selfish with our prize 🤣
Thank u for reading and your comments! The E2 definitely is one underrated watch!
I think sometimes we just have to give ourselve and the watch a chance before we say yes or no.
Was into cartier santos medium, but once i tried on the wrist, just not something i thrill and would wear for a long time, good watch tho.
Congratulations on bb pro, don’t forget about the T-Fit, is a game changer.
U r certainly right, give a chance! Oh yes I didn't mention it but the T fit sure is a real good upgrade! Thank u for dropping by!
I've had this watch for about a month and I love it. I guess you could say I'm graduating from G Shocks, so the thickness wasn't so much a deal breaker for me. What surprised me the most was the T Fit clasp. Not sure how it gets better than that
I've had this watch for about a month and I love it. I guess you could say I'm graduating from G Shocks, so the thickness wasn't so much a deal breaker for me. What surprised me the most was the T Fit clasp. Not sure how it gets better than that
Congrats fellow BB pro owner! Their clasp simply best in the biz, love it! Thank u for dropping by!
I didn’t buy the BB Pro not because I didn’t like the overall appearance or dimensions, felt that 7 Modern Tudors purchased during recent times was enough representation of one brand. Your watch is a dandy, I intend to wait to see if Tudor can produce a watch that is more compelling before taking my credit card out again.
For me it was the weight and slab case sides that made me decide it wasn’t for me.
My mantra is that if I’m spending more than $1500 on a watch I want it to be something that I could and would wear at least 300 days a year.
I didn’t buy the BB Pro not because I didn’t like the overall appearance or dimensions, felt that 7 Modern Tudors purchased during recent times was enough representation of one brand. Your watch is a dandy, I intend to wait to see if Tudor can produce a watch that is more compelling before taking my credit card out again.
Indeed Tudor holds promise as a watch brand. Born to dare, certainly more adventurous than it's older brother. We are at the time of the year again, let's wait and see!
For me it was the weight and slab case sides that made me decide it wasn’t for me.
My mantra is that if I’m spending more than $1500 on a watch I want it to be something that I could and would wear at least 300 days a year.
The slab case sides can be a huge turn off indeed. It looks worse on the BB 41mm, but am glad the recently 41mm metas look and wear so much better and holds much promise! More colorways please!!
Indeed Tudor holds promise as a watch brand. Born to dare, certainly more adventurous than it's older brother. We are at the time of the year again, let's wait and see!
lol! Going to have to be a massive improvement!
Spot on, was exactly the same when it was launched, it really is a piece that has to be seen on the metal to understand fully
it's easy to get caught up in the opinions of others.
Everyone's got a right to an opinion, but there's a stark contrast between that and an educated-opinion. Your experience is the perfect example of that.
Thanks for sharing, and beautiful watch👌
Spot on, was exactly the same when it was launched, it really is a piece that has to be seen on the metal to understand fully
I will really love to see a polar version for this, but watch brands don't usually listen to us don't they? 😂😅
it's easy to get caught up in the opinions of others.
Everyone's got a right to an opinion, but there's a stark contrast between that and an educated-opinion. Your experience is the perfect example of that.
Thanks for sharing, and beautiful watch👌
Thank u for the comments, very much agree with it. It's has been a learning journey all the way for me. Cheers!
I know your bio says you want to talk about the wearing of watches on a smaller wrist. How do you like this watch in terms of lug to lug and diameter/dial size?
I know your bio says you want to talk about the wearing of watches on a smaller wrist. How do you like this watch in terms of lug to lug and diameter/dial size?
Oh! U caught me there! I certainly missed out on that one! First of all, I will say based on the photos, I feel that I was able to carry the look. The case size of 39mm and the shorter lug to lug of 47mm(so says the internet)helped alot in making it wearable for such a small wrister like me.
I always tot of my perfect watch size to be a 36mm, but I have days where I want my watch to stand out and have more wrist presence. My daily Garmin is a 43mm, and I have mechanical watches in the size of 36, 39, 40, 41.5 and 42mm, and I so far have no issues as long as the lug to lugs are below 50mm.(I unfortunately had to find out the hard way of owning a watch with lug to lug 50mm though.)
As much as the case is obviously thick, it didn't bother me after a while wearing it. I was previously worried the case will bring some heft but so far so good. With it's taller profile, I am more worried about hitting the watch onto things though!
My small wrist also enabled me to lose a few links after sizing and that brought the entire weight of the watch down, so there isn't any wrist burden to talk of.
The BB Pro is not so much the slab monster of the 41mm BBs, hence the watch was able to hug the wrist pretty well for me. Overall, the watch wears really good for small wristers. I give it a 8.5/10
And thank you for your comments, I should remember to give my small wrister thoughts about the watches I post!