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View Poll Results: Black Bay Fifty-Eight - Black or Blue?
Black 186 37.27%
Blue 204 40.88%
Both 48 9.62%
Neither 61 12.22%
Voters: 499. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 1 July 2020, 08:41 PM   #1
illiguy
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Black Bay Fifty-Eight: Black or Blue?

Which do you prefer?
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Old 1 July 2020, 08:46 PM   #2
G.Costanza
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I really like both, but I pick up a blue today.


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Old 1 July 2020, 08:51 PM   #3
Goose 104
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I already have the original black version. I want to see the blue in the flesh since the pictures I have see so far haven't wowed me enough to want to swap or add it
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Old 1 July 2020, 08:57 PM   #4
Kirsty87
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Blue - hands down

More versatile, classic look, no gilt.

I can see the point some people are making about it being 'unremarkable', but that is exactly what makes this watch so brilliant. Its classic colouring and its proportions are an instant winner for a very broad spectrum of watch enthusiasts, and casuals alike.

Combine the aesthetics with the attributes the BB58 lineup has, and it must be the best value watch on the market.
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Old 1 July 2020, 09:07 PM   #5
1William
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The Black Bay 58 is too small for my wrist. I like the watch and own several of the 41's. I was hoping for a release that changed up more than a color. Like an upgrade to the Heritage Chrono line-up with an in-house movement and some dial modifications.
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Old 1 July 2020, 09:58 PM   #6
Mick006
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I think both are great in their own right.
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Old 1 July 2020, 10:27 PM   #7
Etschell
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blue as I have nd subc.

i have other blue watches but for some reason I like the look of the Tudor Blue.
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Old 1 July 2020, 10:29 PM   #8
Brny11
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Blue looks awesome. I would never give my black up for it though.


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Old 1 July 2020, 10:32 PM   #9
Etschell
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1William View Post
The Black Bay 58 is too small for my wrist. I like the watch and own several of the 41's. I was hoping for a release that changed up more than a color. Like an upgrade to the Heritage Chrono line-up with an in-house movement and some dial modifications.
i think youll get that next basel. i really do.
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Old 1 July 2020, 10:46 PM   #10
Gazoak
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I love the Black. It has a retro look to it and is a homage to the early Submariner.
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Old 1 July 2020, 10:49 PM   #11
Plant
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Its strange - when the original BB58 came out I thought it would be better without the gilt. Now I see this new one and think it looks very boring and prefer the original lol
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Old 1 July 2020, 10:53 PM   #12
Juan Luis
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I voted both cause I have the black and will get the blue. It's so simple as the Rolex Explorer.
Great time legibility. Love it!
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Old 1 July 2020, 11:36 PM   #13
nigelUK
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It's a tough call but if only one it would be black

If I had both (which I probably will have soon), I can see me still wearing the Black more often.
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Old 1 July 2020, 11:43 PM   #14
TellingTime
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Black is the BB58.

Rather than change the color of the dial/bezel on the BB 58 to blue..they would have done “much better” remaking/recreating the blue snowflake submariner!
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Old 1 July 2020, 11:47 PM   #15
johnorpheus
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as much as I like blue dials in general, the black 58 has more character for me.
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Old 2 July 2020, 12:21 AM   #16
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I prefer the blue dial myself.
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Old 2 July 2020, 12:25 AM   #17
gnuyork
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I"m normally all for a black dial over blue, but in this case, I prefer the blue.
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Old 2 July 2020, 01:42 AM   #18
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I don’t have either, if i was buying one it’d be blue. But I’m not. Enough divers already to fill the bill.





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Old 2 July 2020, 01:44 AM   #19
NCD1979
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Blue, gotta be blue...
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Old 2 July 2020, 11:49 AM   #20
illiguy
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Black Bay Fifty-Eight: Black or Blue?

Was at an AD today, but did not see the BB 58 Blue in the metal. Will say pics of the BB 58 Blue look great. I do like the gilt on the original, BB 58 Black.

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Old 2 July 2020, 12:10 PM   #21
lencap
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The differences are significant enough that based on individual preference one or the other will likely appeal to someone. I own the original BB58, so I'm likely biased as it got my vote. Caveat Emptor.

From a design perspective, IMHO, the original BB58 was designed to mimic the watches from the past. To accomplish that it had the "vibe" of past models - gilt/rivet bracelet/aluminum bezel/vintage lume. From that perspective it was successful to the theme - mimic a vintage watch with modern components and reliability.

The new watch attempts the same vibe strategy, biased toward modern. The blue/blue look certainly is contemporary, along with the near white markings. What seems to work less well is the riveted bracelet. That look works best for the vintage vibe, but to me seems a bit out of place trying to fit on a modern style.

Having said that I've not seen it in person, and I'm pretty sure Tudor knows what it's doing. You can also argue that the initial Black Bay diver watches, ETA movements, looked very retro with the "smiley face" lettering and should have been part of the original BB58 look.

They missed an opportunity to "fix" the BB58 spacing on the last line of the dial. The original Black Bay diver printed "200m:650ft" (no spacing before or after the semicolon). The Original BB58, as well as the Blue, have this: "200m :650ft" (there's a space after the M in meter before the 650ft wording appears). It looks unbalanced, at least to me. Both BB58s have the asymmetrical type on the dial - very odd.

Having said all of that, both have merits that lovers will appreciate.

Personally, after seeing the new blue BB58 pictures I prefer the Smiley face Black face/Blue bezel Diver from 2012 with the ETA movement - case is only slightly deeper than the 58, the curvy script on the dial is classic and balanced, and the larger dial gives more "air" resulting in a better overall balance. And the "200m:650ft" is properly spaced. Look at GsurgBM's image above - it's a perfect dial - at least to me. Less type, more air, better balance, smiley face enhances the curve of the bezel, and the single line for ROTOR stands out without bragging. Do we need to be reminded that the BB58 is a chronometer in 2020?. I also like the Tudor Rose on the 2012 dial.

Prior to owning the BB58 I bought the newer 41mm BB with the Tudor in house movement. That watch, for me, was unwearable. It's heavy, unbalanced and viewed from the side looked like a brick. Not elegant in any way. Part of the problem is that the bracelet adjustment doesn't provide fine adjustments easily - so the fit is either a bit too loose or too tight. Either one makes it uncomfortable - it either slides around, or is so tight that it becomes uncomfortable during the day. I sold it in less than a month without regret.

If I had no Black Bay at all, given the choices, I'd buy the 41mm ETA movement shown above. Having a slightly less accurate movement and a smaller hourly reserve is a fair tradeoff for the overall look and symmetry. My brother bought the Pelagos, but I'm not a titanium fan, and my bias is toward the vintage vibe, although I do love his adjustable band - a very slick solution to hot summer weather and swelling wrist sizes.
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Old 2 July 2020, 12:16 PM   #22
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I have the black. If I were buying today, it would probably be the blue. I voted for both because I think they both look great and have superb proportions. Two things I like about the blue are the non-fauxtina lume (at least based on what I see in pictures) and the lack of a gilt dial.
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Old 2 July 2020, 12:28 PM   #23
calvin888
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i will choose both, both are different in their own way and looks great and feels great
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Old 2 July 2020, 12:32 PM   #24
kieselguhr
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I like the blue. I think they did a good job with it. The wife prefers the original.
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Old 2 July 2020, 12:34 PM   #25
campfire
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Not really planning to get one (for now). But if I were, it would be blue.
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Old 2 July 2020, 01:42 PM   #26
JohnnyM
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Surprised, but I like the blue. It's different
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Old 2 July 2020, 01:43 PM   #27
Flybak
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Like them both a lot, but the blue wins out for me. Like how the colours come together on this reference. Look forward to seeing it in person.
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Old 3 July 2020, 01:38 AM   #28
Nikrnic
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I love and have too many Sub divers already but I'd have to go blue here. It's a good blue and kudos for the no forced gilt treatment. Faux rivet bracelet was always a mistake since it started with the thicker inhouse case which is one reason i offed my BB41 for an eta version.

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Old 3 July 2020, 03:01 AM   #29
iliketime
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digging that blue, passed for a long time on the black 58
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Old 3 July 2020, 03:12 AM   #30
Goose 104
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Still loving the black/gilt.

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