Bronze has a rich history in naval engineering, instantly bringing to mind imagery of old ships and technical diving equipment. But beyond its nostalgic appeal it is also a ‘living material’, over time developing its own unique patina that reveals the history of the object. This makes it an alluring choice for such a personal item as a timepiece, and a particularly fitting one for Tudor’s Black Bay, which itself has a long and storied connection with the seas.

The new Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze, available exclusively in around 50 Tudor boutiques around the world, plays up the vintage look with a sleek brown-bronze colour scheme that extends to the dial and the bezel. This is enhanced further still with all the small historic details that make the Black Bay such a favourite with collectors, including its signature ‘snowflake’ hands.

The case is a svelte 39mm, a nod to the proportions of some of Tudor’s iconic diving watches from the 1950s. Its rendering in bronze brings its own unique challenges, requiring a multi-staged process that demands careful handling to preserve the non-patinated appearance of the bronze, which can rapidly alter according to its environment. At the heart of the watch is the Manufacture Calibre MT5400, offering a power reserve of 70 hours.

For the first time, Tudor has also utilised the material on the strap, made entirely of satin-brushed links that adopt the style of some of its classic mid-century pieces. It will develop a patina at the same pace as the watch, and is able to be easily fitted to the wrist thanks to the watchmaker’s innovative rapid adjustment system. Meanwhile, it also comes with a woven jacquard option, inspired by a strap found on a vintage watch used by the French Navy.

tudorwatch.com