The Tudor Black Bay 36 Review - An Almost Perfect Affordable Luxury Automatic Watch For Any Occasion

Today I review a watch I have been dying to get my hands on, ever since it was released at 2016 Baselworld. The Tudor Heritage Black Bay 36 (Ref. 79500) is the smallest and perhaps the most versatile in the Black Bay family. With its compact size, contemporary clean elegance, and robust build, this is one charming little automatic, suited for almost any occasion. The looks are heavily inspired by core elements from the Tudor Submariner legacy. Combined with Rolex quality and powered by solidly accurate ETA, this might just be one of the best entry level luxury watches out there.

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[bigfromage]

Great video mate. Thanks for that. We definitely need more watches made at that size. 36mm is king for smaller wrists!

[mikec]

I have worn my Black Bay 36 nearly everyday for the last 18 months - it is simply outstanding! It has scratched any itch of even looking at other watches. The fabric strap that was supplied is the best fabric strap I've ever owned, incredible quality. Many years from now the Tudor Black Bay 36 will be regarded as a highly sought after watch. Tudor stunned people by announcing a 36mm sport watch when everyone else was producing 42mm and up. The idea of keeping a top grade ETA movement in it was extremely smart - keeps cost down, will make servicing even easier down the road, and ample parts to source.
The build quality of the BB36 is on par with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 that I owned. There's nothing I can say poorly about the BB36.

[frankdirscherl]

Excellent video, but here's my take on the watch...

I have this watch...I see no negatives, only positives. For me, the BB36 is the perfect watch!

It not only features the top variety ETA 2824, but it has been heavily modified by Tudor, with extra shock protection and other features not found on the typical, even high-grade ETA 2824. Tudor have really worked on this, they didn't just regulate it or add decoration to it.

The crown sticking out too far? Not at all! I've been wearing this, on my left wrist, pretty much every day since last October, and have had ZERO problems with the crown on the wrist. It doesn't dig into my flesh (and I have the watch on fairly tight) at all, it doesn't feel any different to any other watch in that regard, so no con there IMO.

Haven't noticed any problem with legibility of the watch, so whether there is or isn't any AR coating hasn't been an issue. It's about the most legible watch out there, haven't noticed any major issues with glare at all. Another non-con for mine.

Does this watch have an identity crisis? Of course not! It's one of the most versatile luxury watches on the market, making it an invaluable addition to anyone's collection. It works superbly well as a sport watch, a watch you can wear while swimming or out on adventures, but it's also subtle enough for use as a dress watch (better than the similar Rolex Explorer in that regard, as it lacks the much more casual looking 3, 6 and 9 numerals on the dial), slipping very comfortably underneath a shirt cuff. It fits for just about every situation life throws at you. You can't say that about just any watch, but this watch does exactly that. For me, it's the perfect watch!

Too conservative? Sorry, I don't even know what that means. The dial is perfect, simplicity at its very best, aesthetically pleasing and perfectly balanced, and the case size is perfect, and not just for the smaller wrist IMO. That's conservative? Nonsense! If this is meant as a con, I don't understand it at all, and perhaps you don't fully understand this watch, TGV, if that's your way of thinking.

Again, excellent video, but your cons just don't add up to me. Cons for con sake, perhaps?

[foamige]

I bought the BB36 last week on the bracelet. I couldnt be happier. It takes all the points I love from the Sub and the Explorer and gives an amazing every day casual/dress watch with that classic rolex oyster feel. For the money, you get a perfect every situation classic watch with a timeless charm. And you can dive with it if you want. Looks perfect with my Dinner Jacket Black Tie, works well with my Levis and T shirts and goes great with a Sport Jacket and Loakes. Its my perfect do it all watch. Love it to death.

[kleinbottled]

This is a dress watch that can take a dunking and/or beating and still tell you the time in the dark. I like the concept. As a small wristed dude I appreciate the size. Black band and you could wear it to a formal wedding; while being tee-shirt casual on a nato. Pretty cool.

[Kayn]

Very close to pulling the trigger on this! Just love the size and overall simplicity of it really. As a carrier of small wrists, just fantastic for me. So happy you reviewed this!

[indiefruit]

It's a Tudor version of the Explorer, but they've given it that extra Tudor magic by giving it the classic BB dial & hands. Def a great addition to the Tudor line-up.

[petershallis]

Classy and understated, I absolutely love it! I largely agree with the negatives but not enough to put me off..so versatile and practical.

[michaeljamespitt]

I love this piece so much! Everything is balanced perfectly, it is discreetly beautiful and a great price for such a great watch.

[alpinestarsssss]

Wow..I'm drooling over this. I'm in love.

[blairphelps]

Love this watch. I wish it had drilled lugs. That would make it even more versatile as it would be easier to change and swap bands.

[Adamvintage]

It's interesting you said it's almost the only watch you'll ever need. I think you meant it is but was afraid of commitment. Lol. Anyhow, GQ put out a very compelling article several months ago as to why the air-king is the only watch a man will ever need. This was before this black bay 36 started gaining attention. I think Tudor owns this now. As for the crown, it's part of its DNA so I'm glad it's there and have no problem with the size. In fact, if you own this watch, which I do, you should be open minded about size or return it quickly. What I also would like to point out, is we are now looking at the next generation of vintage watches and I think Tudor knows this and just planted a very big seed in future brand recognition. This will have a cult following for sure.

[idid]

Perfect watch, for me...2yrs. on the wrist! The watch is similar to the Omega AT...very versatile!

[jonathandougherty]

I just went into a Tourneau store and tried on a Blue Dial BB 41. This combination completely solved all the cons TGV spoke on. The Blue dial makes it much more legible without the AR. The bigger 41mm case blends better with the crown length, and the added pop of the blue dial really make this watch something special in my opinion. I am going to have this watch very very soon. It took all I had not to walk out with it on my wrist, but I’m sure I can find better deals online.

[JoeCC]

This watch really is extremely appealing. I always wondered what would be the middle step of a collector's progression from the Alpinist to the Explorer, and I think you've found a good candidate.

[altbinhax]

Thanks. I've come back to see again, and after a year my opinion of this piece has held; a wonderful every day watch for many different situations. And I'm a fan of the no date which makes for perfect balance- if i want the date I've got the phone!

[ericherdmann]

For me the best everyday watch and the perfect size!

Amazing reviews btw!

[TomBiskup]

My friends who are not into watches think it's a Seiko. My friend who is little into watches thought it was a Rolex at first. And that's the best thing about it. Understated.
Things that I really LOVE about it? Snowflake hour hand (duh), superbly designed dial with pleasing proportions and the "ROTOR SELF-WINDING" typography that adds a little quirky smile to the dial. Sporty and in-your-face attitude on a bracelet, but subtle and elegant on a leather strap. It is my only watch. I'm so happy I decided to buy it :)

[buckshotdrums]

SO happy you did a video on this watch. I don't know if you've noticed but there aren't very many videos about this watch on YouTube. I have to agree with the point about the crown. That's the only thing holding me back. Apart from that, it truly is "almost perfect". I actually really like that it almost looks as if an Explorer and a Submariner had relations...

[adrimel]

Great review as always Tristano. I have owned this piece for about 2 months now and I have to say it keeps on giving every day. I fall in love with it over and over again. I strongly recommend trying it on the bracelet, it gives it a completely different personality.