Tudor Black Bay: Gilt-on-Blue Switcheroo

[lhooq]

As projects go, this one was pretty straightforward.  It all started in July, not long after it was announced that "the factories" had tweaked their superlative Black Bay rep and created a blue version to match the one announced at Baselworld this past spring.  Honestly, I've never been that interested in the Black Bay, since I saw it as a mish-mash of confused historical influences.  Snowflake hands on a rose dial?  And what's with that colored crown tube?  

But you do grow fonder of some things over time.  It helped to have tried on the gen a few times, as did seeing cyberwarhol's rep up close during a GTG some months back.  And, yes, the palette shift from burgundy to royal blue did much to change my mind.  I'd had my fingers crossed for a blue Pelagos (still do), but this was the next big thing.  

So there I was in mid-July, looking at QC pics that highoeyazmuhudee had posted for an upcoming delivery.  They looked terrific, in my opinion, but I've long favored the blue/gilt combo on Submariners.  Why, just take a look at the fantastic 5512 that ChiMan built for me so many years ago, and that I still wear regularly.  I quote myself: "I would love to see the blue Black Bay with gilt hands/dial.  Now who can I convince to take one in red and silver?"  To which sneed12 replied, "If you're serious I'll swap with you."  

Having set some funds aside for a rather pricey Fifty Fathoms, I really didn't need to spend another few hundred bucks on another rep.  However, opportunities like this don't come up every day, and I really wanted to see how this thing would look!  I PM'd S and let him take care of the ordering and assembly.  There were several delays.  First, the seller was about to send two Black Bays in the wrong colors; add a few days.  Then the clasp of one of them broke, requiring sneed to drill out a link and rebuild the clasp. 

 

At this point, the movement swap was made:

Add a few weeks, as he had to order new drill bits, but eventually it was all done:


Easy-peasy, I suppose!  

You've all read enough about the Black Bay rep, so I won't be making a full review.  I think the gilt dial/hands against the blue bezel and tube look amazing, so full marks to me and my vision!  Similarly, I'm sure S is enjoying the Canadian colours on his Black Bay.  I will note that the BB feels a lot bigger and much heavier than I'd expected--and that's saying something, considering how I've grown used to the heft of the Fifty Fathoms!  Right now, it looks like it could be a go-anywhere, do-anything diver, but let's see if it has as much staying power on my wrist as my beloved 4-liner.

 

Old and new:



Of course, I couldn't help but see how it looks on Tropic rubber:


Big thanks to sneed12!

[DVNE]

Wow! I likey.

[vlydog]

A triumphant success!

 

Nicely done!

[Pontiaddict]

Very nice indeed, both watches look great with the swap.

[droptopman]

Awesome.  This looks great.  You should work for Rolex/Tudor design:)  

[blue.]

Turned out quite nice, Lhooq!

Blue and yellow are always a good combination.

Wear it as often as you like and in good health.

[highoeyazmuhudee]

innnteresting. both make for very nice combinations