Since 1946, when the TUDOR brand was officially established, the Swiss watchmaker has never stopped demonstrating its exceptional creativity. Setting itself apart from ROLEX through its accessibility and incredible robustness, TUDOR has found its place with a sportier clientele with a taste for adventure. To better satisfy them with a dedicated model, in 1970 it introduced its first chronograph, named the Oysterdate. It is these 50 years of harmony that TUDOR celebrates in style by renewing its steel Black Bay Chrono. But first, let's return to the unique characteristics of the Oysterdate.

A true pearl on the wrist: the Oysterdate, origin of the Chrono range

TUDOR succeeded in marrying trends from motor sports with those of maritime sports. The result is a sporty chronograph with contrasting sub-dials for enhanced legibility. It is powered by a high-performance automatic Manufacture Calibre, with a column wheel and vertical clutch. But these technological gems would be nothing without its unique design.

Sporting bright colors that suit the modern man, it features the famous "Snowflake" hands that made the reputation of the brand's dive watches.

The Chrono also adopts pentagonal hour markers reminiscent of the shape of a baseball home plate, as well as a 45-minute counter with a date function at 6 o'clock.

All of these features immediately appeal to fans of motor and nautical sports. It is this true pearl, worn on the wrists of the most accomplished athletes, that established the model of technical chronographs which the Black Bay Chrono continues to enrich.

The Black Bay Chrono gets younger by turning fifty

Faithful to the original model that won over many athletes and lovers of technological marvels, the Black Bay Chrono keeps its characteristic general lines. It remains set in its 41 mm diameter steel case. The meticulous cutting of the lower part of the sapphire crystal slims it down, making it even more aesthetic. Its renowned and highly distinctive hands, affectionately nicknamed "Snowflake," continue their rotation. Angular in shape, they have been marking time for TUDOR since 1969.

It was therefore impossible not to give them pride of place on this precious dial.

Offered in two versions, matte black or opaline, the dial features two recessed sub-dials, in matte black and opaline white respectively, offering optimal legibility.

The design of the steel pushers is largely inspired by the very first generation of TUDOR chronographs. A fixed steel bezel with a black anodized aluminum insert, combined with a tachymetric scale, completes this revisited chronograph. In keeping with TUDOR tradition, the minute counter is graduated to 45 and a date window is placed at 6 o'clock.

In line with its predecessor, the Black Bay Chrono pays complete attention to the smallest detail. One cannot help but be moved by the subtle alliance between an aesthetic that reconnects with classic historical models and thoroughly contemporary watchmaking. Once again, the brand hits the mark, no doubt thanks to its timeless hands, as reliable as those of a William Tell.

Straps that count, too

Always at the cutting edge of innovation, the TUDOR fabric strap has been a hallmark of the watchmaking brand since 2010. TUDOR bet on a design in tune with the activities of the modern man in order to offer a strap that meets new standards. Its weaving quality, robustness and wearing comfort are the result of unique savoir-faire. It is the company Julien Faure, in the Saint-Étienne region of France, that makes these original straps by hand, on 19th-century shuttle Jacquard looms. More than 10 years of partnership and mutual trust have led to the creation of this black patterned strap for the Black Bay Chrono.

The chronograph is also available on a steel bracelet inspired by the folded riveted bracelets dating back to the TUDOR watches of the 1950s and 1960s. This "vintage" look will appeal to those nostalgic for the rivet heads, with more massive links visible on the edge for this model. A stepped-taper effect completes this bracelet, which knows how to keep up with the times. The Black Bay Chrono rounds out its range of straps with a cuff-style option in aged black leather with ecru stitching, all in a thoroughly "70's racing" spirit.

Both through its attention to detail and in perpetuating a lineage spanning five decades, the ambition of the Black Bay Chrono is clearly to deliver a chronograph that is both authentic and modern.

TUDOR once again creates a technological marvel, waving its magic wand as a timeless watchmaker.