Why the Black Bay GMT is not worth the hype?

I know! I know! I know?

Every time I look at my Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G, I wonder what possessed me to buy this watch. And then I see it catching some sun and I understand why I bought it. The Root Beer color way is one of the prettiest watches you’ll come across even though it’s been a couple of years since it launched.

Before we get into the details of the watch, some things about me that I should make clear. I’m slightly neurotic when the time on my digital device (PC, Phone blah blah) doesn’t match my watch. I’m fine with the daily loss or gain of time. I take the time to adjust it every morning. It’s like my morning ritual to get the time right in my watch. I adjust the watch I’ve worn the prior day. I also adjust the watch I’m going to wear that day.

The watch since it’s a GMT, shows two different timezone. One is the Hong Kong timezone where I’m based. The other is the India timezone, where I’m from. The Indian timezone is 2.5 hrs behind Hong Kong timezone and this is where my problem with the watch starts.

I know what you’ll say – Oh, GMT watches have never been capable of showing the half hour difference. I get it!! OK!! I get it. My logical part of the brain gets it. But my neurotic part of the brain, DOES NOT. It is the year 2025. We have the most absurd complications in a watch. Yet, we can’t show the half hour timezone difference in a watch. Go figure. Something feels wrong when I wear the watch and try to set both the times. It can’t be helped.

Now to the other parts of the watch, you already know the specs of the watch. If you don’t, let me give you a brief recap below –

• 41mm steel case with polished and satin finish
• Lugs: 22mm lug width
• Tudor in-house manufactured Calibre MT5652 (COSC certified)
• Power reserve of approximately 70 hours
• Waterproof to 200m (660 ft)
• 48-notch bidirectional rotating bezel
• Can’t forget the Snowflake Hands

This is pretty standard for most Tudor Black Bay GMT Watches but the exception of the colors of course. The other exception for this watch are the materials of the watch – Steel & Gold. You can’t call it a Gold watch, even Tudor themselves wouldn’t. Remember this while I go into a short side story.

Short Side Story – Watch brands have always mentioned Gold as part of their watches. Some Yellow Gold, some Rose Gold, some Beige Gold etc. While the Yellow Gold (if they are called that) are plain good old 18ct. gold, the others aren’t. Apparently there’s a law somewhere that if it’s not fully gold, you can’t just call it Gold. Hence they will come up with interesting marketing terms like Bronze Gold, Beige Gold etc. which is combination of Gold and something else.

Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G is named this way because the Gold on the watch has a steel core. It has a gold wrapping on top to make it look like Gold. Maybe also the reason why it’s cheaper compared to the other gold watches.

Now that I’ve finished my rant on the negative aspects of the watch, let me redeem myself with some positive ones. The watch build is phenomenal, and can definitely take a beating. The design is versatile. You can pass it off as a formal dress watch in some situations if the need arises. I’ve worn this watch on suits and with shorts. No problem whatsoever.

Don’t ever think that Tudor is the cheaper version of Rolex. It might be from the same parent company, but it holds its own. I’ve gotten a leather strap for the humid summers in Hong Kong. You would even forget that the watch is there.

I would have loved to pick up the Black Bay 58 that was recently launched. I would also love the Black Bay with the Jubilee Bracelet. Maybe it’s the buyer’s remorse or maybe it’s the classic scenario of the grass being greener on the other side. Either way, this is the watch I have and I’m committed to it. I would not let it go for any reason even if it meant getting a Rolex for this. I mean I would give it up for a Rolex, but you know what I’m saying. So if there’s anyone willing to make that exchange, please find me.