Tudor’s understated luxury travel watches

GMT WATCHES THAT TELL TIME in at least two time zones are standard accessories for any frequent flyer. But with petty theft a growing issue in more places around the world, it’s probably not smart to be flashing anything attention-seeking on your wrist.

However, when you still want a touch of luxury and style, Tudor’s understated timepieces fit the bill. Take your pick of the brand’s newest models, which do double duty as horological workhorses and fashion statements.

Black Bay 58 GMT

This all-new Master Chronometer-certified GMT watch sports a burgundy and black bidirectional bezel that recalls the golden age of air travel, the 1950s. Strap it on and relive the glamorous days of jet-setting across continents and time zones in style. Even the 39 mm stainless steel case of the three-time-zone watch reflects the characteristic proportions of that era.

The warm hues of the bezel with its gilt 24-hour scale conforms to the general design language of the Black Bay collection, which is a nod to Tudor’s first diver’s watches. The “58” in the name of the GMT is a direct reference to the year (1958) that the first Tudor diver’s watch was made waterproof up to 200 m. 

Like all watches in the Black Bay line, the Black Bay 58 GMT features a big winding crown with the Tudor rose logo in relief, and Snowflake hands. The timepiece is worn on a rivet-style three-link bracelet with the Tudor T-fit clasp, which allows instant adjustment of the bracelet length.

The watch is powered by an in-house automatic movement with 65 hours of power reserve. The movement is certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute and Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology for high performance standards, including precision, resistance to magnetic fields and waterproofness.

Price: S$6,630

Black Bay Pro

A dual-time-zone watch, the Black Bay Pro flaunts many unique design details of the technical models Tudor has produced throughout its history. It is recognised by its yellow 24-hour Snowflake hand and 24-hour graduated satin-brushed fixed steel bezel on the 39 mm stainless steel case.

While the watch is part of the Black Bay line, it introduces many new and unique aesthetic details – starting with its winding crown, which has been redesigned for a perfect grip. Another new feature is the applied hour markers on the dial, made from monoblock luminous ceramic. 

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Then there is a new bracelet clasp with a Tudor T-fit rapid size-adjustment system, which is easy to use and allows instant adjustment of up to 8 mm on the clasp. The Black Bay Pro is powered by the same movement that powers the Black Bay GMT S&G. 

Price: S$6,080 

Black Bay GMT S&G

The iconic Black Bay GMT with three time zones now comes in steel and gold, paired with a folding rivet bracelet inspired by the ones Tudor made in the 1950s and 1960s, or a Jacquard-woven or leather strap. Identified by its 24-hour graduated rotating bezel with two colours that represent day and night, the Black Bay GMT S&G is also a subtle aesthetic nod to the history of this watchmaking function.

The reference time on the watch is indicated by an angular Snowflake hand, a hallmark feature of the Black Bay collection. The hand completes a lap on the dial every 24 hours. Another shorter Snowflake hand, set by a jumping hour which can be moved forward or backward, points to the local time. 

The Black Bay GMT S&G is driven by an in-house automatic movement with 70 hours of power reserve. Fitted with a non-magnetic silicon balance spring, it is certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute for precision and performance.

Price: S$8,880