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GOES FORGOLD—ANDSILVER TUDOR
NEW CASE MATERIALS AND A NEW
CERTIFICATION FOR THE BLACK BAY
Tudor’s new releases for 2021 go a long way to reinforce its mandate to produce high-quality watches at great price points. This year, the focus is on the flagship Black Bay and Black Bay Fifty-Eight lines, with new case materials, new movements, and a new performance guarantee. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight is getting both an 18k gold case and a 925 silver case. The addition of gold in the line takes the model up a notch on the luxury scale, and the silver is surprising because it’s a rare metal for watches. Since wristwatches became popular, the 1940s, gold has been the standard metal because it is soft enough to machine, yet hard enough for daily wear when alloyed with other metals. Silver was historically ruled out because of its softness and its tendency to tarnish. But times and timepieces change. Just as gold alloys are improving, silver has been upgraded. Tudor is the first brand to introduce the metal into watches, and although the precise alloy formula is top secret, Tudor says it is tarnish-free and hard enough for daily wear. The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 Silver is 39 mm wide, a vintage size that makes it wearable for both men and women. Silver takes a high polish, which gives the metal a decorative quality and a sheen like no other material, and it is an affordable alternative to gold. Is it poised to make a comeback in the watch industry? Time will tell.
The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight in 18k yellow gold.
The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 Silver.
36 ] P O L A C H E C K ’ S J E W E L E R S M A G A Z I N E
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