Grails and the watches we love - bb54 review
**LONGISH POST**
For a while my grail was and in some ways still is the Explorer… you may be able to see from the first picture but I got goosebumps when I tried it on. However it is not within my price range right now and I started looking at alternatives.
Enter the bb58, which I thought was the one. Until I saw the bb54. For me the 54 is everything the 58 is trying to be. Seeing them side by side the 54 just looks more refined where as the 58 looks like the younger brother trying to emulate its “older” sibling.
When I had the opportunity I picked up the bb54 to mark the birth of my son. And I’ve just found myself appreciating it more and more. It’s a diver, a dressy diver, a tool diver, thrown on a nato like in picture two and to me it feels like a field watch. All with preportions that make it feel super concentrated, like Tudor decided not to waste any part of their design. The height of the watch is almost mesmerising - it’s just “so”.
Everything I’ve ever heard people say they don’t like I love (although when the blackbay was first released - the snowflake hand was the reason I never got one… how times change!) I adore the small handset with the use of snowflake and lollipop. The cream lumed hour markers give a warm tone to the dial, the gold hands pop and bring a warmth that just makes me smile. The dial in the right light looks like a sunburst. The sapphire raised, domed crystal blows out the dial at certain angles (seee the pic) It’s gorgeous. And on the bracelet - those faux rivets … *shakes fist* yeah, I haven’t given them a second thought since I bought it. It looks incredible on any and all straps I try it on!
I now look at my bb54 and then at the Explorer and wonder if I ever will indeed pick up the Explorer myself. This bb54 ticks so many boxes! Time will tell.
And then I tried on the 16570 Explorer 2… (pic 3) which I thought I wouldn’t like because I love the orange hand on the newer variant. However I just find the newer ref a little too blocky and it’s lost its charm a little as far as I’m concerned. (Where as the 16570 is like a Land Rover Defender the 216570 is the Range Rover Evoque).
I think the bb54 and polar 16570 would make quite the 2 watch collection, along with a gshock for good measure. But for now this bb54 will do me just fine.
I’m a very happy watch nerd.
If you got this far, thanks for reading!
Have a love of dive watches and vintage mostly but a fan of all things horological. I also love the outdoors; mountain biking, hiking and water sports
It’s a great watch, can’t justify the price myself yet.
That's an amazing essay! You get it!!!
That's an amazing essay! You get it!!!
Thank you for reading!
It’s a great watch, can’t justify the price myself yet.
It is - if it’s on your radar then I hope you have the chance to get it one day.
I also bought a BB54 when my daughter was born. I wanted to buy it as my Dad’s watch. Also engraved my son’s names:
I felt like someone was telling my history with your post because I also love the Explorer I in 36. But I liked it lots of years ago and I had no money. And now it costs three times more. It’s difficult to accept to me to pay three times for the “same” watch…
I also bought a BB54 when my daughter was born. I wanted to buy it as my Dad’s watch. Also engraved my son’s names:
I felt like someone was telling my history with your post because I also love the Explorer I in 36. But I liked it lots of years ago and I had no money. And now it costs three times more. It’s difficult to accept to me to pay three times for the “same” watch…
Great pics man! I’ve toyed with engraving it too! Will let you know if I ever do!
I do find it interesting that the bb54 seems like an alternative to the Explorer even though it’s a dive rather than field! But yeah, double the cost makes my eyes water to be honest. Perhaps in the future I’ll get the ex2 maybe - but then - will I be looking at a 5 digit price tag by then? Perhaps they’ll just be watches I admire who knows!
Thanks for sharing
Are you me?
I went BB36 in place of the BB54 in my version of this story. After also nearly going BB58!
The Explorer is where my aspiration was at heart. I’d find it hard to justify the Explorer now if I had the funds and wiggle room. I’d be getting not much more than ‘but this one is a Rolex!’
I probably need to get it out of my system at some point. Who knows how the ownership experience feels? (Not me, yet!)
And I looked at the bb36 champagne and blue - it almost swayed me, but the diver won out in the end! I’m also a sucker for having only one watch per brand… so could stop me getting the 36 in the future as gorgeous as it is!
I agree RE the Explorer, I could do so much with 6k - and I have so much to do it just doesn’t seem like the right time for me personally.
Like you I wonder what the ownership journey would be like though, would I even want to wear it considering the spike in Rolex thefts?!
Who knows - as mentioned above. Time will tell. :)
This was awesome, dude! The BB54 was totally the right watch for you! It’s such a beautiful piece, and your damn right…the explorer 2 would be a brilliant addition. Write more posts like this when you can!!! :-)
This was awesome, dude! The BB54 was totally the right watch for you! It’s such a beautiful piece, and your damn right…the explorer 2 would be a brilliant addition. Write more posts like this when you can!!! :-)
Appreciate you taking the time to read mate! Thank you, I totally agree - the bb54 is perfect for me. ❤️ and the polar ex2 could be a future purchase if it doesn’t get silly…