I was interested in the differences, so here is a rough idea of what I saw in comparison
I cut one of the Black Bay (BB) images from earlier in the thread (thank you, my apologies for nicking it), and added one of my snowflake (SF), merged them to be roughly the same size.
Going round the dial from 12.
- Around 2 o'clock (BB) and 9 (SF). The Hour hand on the BB extends beyond the inside edge of the quarter markers, making the hands look large, even though the rough proportions of the hands on the dial are very similar
- At 20 min, you see that the SF hour markers are embedded into the length of the minute markers (they are trimmed to suit), emptying the centre of the dial. By comparison, the BB markers are totally inside the (untrimmed) minute markers by a distance
- At 30 minutes, you see that the SF minute markers extend beyond the visible dial, and that the Swiss script is again embedded into the minute track. The BB has a large black stripe outside the minute track, where the Swiss script is
- As a result, at 42 mins, you see that the distance between the edge of the minute track and the inside of the bezel on both is substantially different
- It is also worth noting that on the BB photo, the index surrounds are almost black, not reflecting light. If they were reflecting, they would look substantially larger, making the dial look even more crowded
- And finally, in the centre of the dial, the dial script is broad shouldered and narrow hipped on the SF, and pear-shaped on the BB, making it look heavier
As a result of all this, for a similar dial size (I know I have not been exact, but am pressed for a little time here), the SF has a very much emptier dial centre, but the BBs main indices are crammed in there, in "sphinctery congestion" as the Earl put it so poetically.
D
This picture might make it a bit easier with the exact same time as yours
I’m not sure how practical it is to compare new with something that old. Compare a 5513 to a 14060 or either of the two to a 124060 anything newer is an abomination. Recreations are different story.
For my money (but not my wrists) the BB54 is the nicest modern Tudor they’ve made to date. Take the sunburst off the P39 or add a bracelet to the black FXD and I might change my mind.
99% chance this Tudor will end the same way all my previous Tudors have. Want to love them but unable to accept them for what they are.
Here’s a good comparison of the new style BB41 vs the new style Breitling superocean
The BB41 is burgundy so the only difference is the colour.
https://youtu.be/e-N2szGRgTM
Having compared this and other watches available at a similar price point, well if you had the chance to buy the Seiko SJE093 and bought the Tudor instead then shame on you. Bang for the buck that's a new benchmark I think. But take the Seiko out of the equation then I think the Tudor is a compelling package and whilst it is expensive by historical Tudor standards all other watch brands are expensive by their standards.
I really like the Black Bay line and at some stage will buy another when funds allow.
Well, I had another try on today. There are a couple of other watches on my 'possible' list, notably the white dial Speedmaster and a 14060m, and one fear I have is potentially getting the BB41 and then wishing I'd got the Sub. The watch will be my everyday watch.
First off I tried the Speedy and I have to say it was a massive let down - it just felt and looked 'weedy' and not what I was looking for at all. I then tried a white dial Speedmaster Racing, which was much more 'me', although I struggled to see £9k of value in one. Next up was the Tudor Chronograph which was nice enough but not what I was looking for. This particular dealer didn't have the BB41 monochrome in so I popped over to the Tudor Boutique, who did have it in. Looking at it in the display case it was a bit 'meh' and I was about to walk out when the manager came over and asked if I wanted to try it on and as I had nothing better to do I thought I may as well. It looked nice, much better than when viewing it in the case, and once on the wrist I loved it - perfect size and weight for me and the 'look' is exactly what I was looking for.
So did I buy it? No, in a word as I'm still not sure it's a nearly £4k watch, or maybe my expectations are too high. At £3k I'd jump on it though and I'm sure we'll see them down at this price in the not too distant future. So for now I'm holding off, but I did really like it.
I agree it looks great but on the 5 link bracelet. Interestingly you can't buy the 5 link and put it on other Tudor watches - the holes don't line up. Cheeky blighters!
However as per my point earlier you really shouldn't be buying this if you get the chance to buy a Seiko SJE093 - unless you absolutely have to have a bracelet of course. The Seiko is in a higher tier quality-wise.
Last edited by ryanb741; 22nd June 2024 at 20:52.
If you want a BB41 the 14060 will feel like a rattly old subpar watch and if you want a 14060 the BB41 will feel obese and blunt. The two aren’t comparable imo.
If you really would jump at one for 3k you would have hopped and made an offer on the SC one.
I would try the Pelagos 39 if you’re stuck in the middle.
I am stuck in the middle, you're right, although all things considered I think I'm coming down on the side of the BB41. I did have a Pelagos a few years ago but never really gelled with it, mainly due to the titanium colour but I also felt it looked a bit 'toy like'.
(I'll have a pop back over to SC :) )
BB41 ordered and arriving tomorrow...
I tried one on recently and was impressed with what I’ve thought was a painfully boring BB previously. The different bezel edge and thinner case size make it the best of the 41 black bays for me. Still a bit too think but not enough to get in the way of enjoying the watch for me.
That was where I was too.
I'm getting it on the 3 link bracelet but will get the rubber strap too, so a £250 gift card towards the strap (so effectively £3570 for the watch), 0% finance over 3 years with no deposit and 30 days to return it if I don't like it. No brainer really.
Sounds like about a good a deal as you can get at an AD. Did you try on the five link? I got to see it on another watch but not this one.
It would have been nice to have been able to compare them. Genuinely not sure what my preference would be.
I didn't go for the 5 link as I prefer the all-brushed look of the 3 link as opposed to the part-polished 5-links and the 3-link looks more casual/simple, but I can understand why some people would prefer the 5 link. Got mine from Beaverbrooks. On their website it said available in-store only, but I called their customer service line and they sorted it out for me