Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT Review

Among the many complications that enhance a watch, the GMT function stands out as one of the most practical. Whether for business travellers, frequent flyers, or enthusiasts who appreciate the ability to track multiple time zones, a well-executed GMT watch is a highly sought-after companion.

Because of this, there’s an abundance of GMT models out there, some impressively affordable and others showing off with haute horlogerie techniques with price tags to match. But of them all, one of the most talked about models at the moment is the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT. 

For years, fans of the Black Bay collection have been calling for a more compact, travel-friendly GMT watch. Tudor first introduced the Black Bay GMT in 2018, and while it was well-received, many collectors longed for a smaller and slimmer alternative.

So the Black Bay 58 GMT was understandably a long-anticipated release, filling a crucial gap in Tudor’s lineup, offering a vintage-inspired, mid-sized GMT that aligns perfectly with the brand’s ethos of combining heritage aesthetics with modern reliability. 

The Black Bay collection, first launched in 2012, has been instrumental in elevating Tudor’s reputation among watch enthusiasts.

Over the past 13 years, it has become a staple in the luxury sports watch market, carving out a niche for itself as an accessible yet high-quality alternative to more expensive counterparts.

The introduction of the Black Bay 58 GMT marks another evolution in this lineage, bringing with it the build quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design that have become synonymous with the Tudor name. 

So, does the Black Bay 58 GMT live up to the hype? With so much competition in the GMT category, what makes this watch stand out? I spent some time with it to see how it measures up, both technically and aesthetically, against the expectations set by its predecessors and the ever-growing demand for a well-sized, everyday GMT.

Why Was The Tudor Black Bay 58 So Highly Anticipated? 

The Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT was one of the most highly anticipated releases in recent memory, and for good reason. It combines the best elements of the Black Bay 58 and the original Black Bay GMT, addressing long-standing requests from watch enthusiasts for a more compact, travel-friendly GMT.

To understand the significance of this release, we need to look back at the history of the Black Bay collection and why this watch has become such a necessity for the brand, and us collectors. 

The Black Bay collection debuted in 2012 as Tudor’s modern interpretation of its vintage dive watches, drawing inspiration from the brand’s iconic Submariner models of the 1950s and 1960s.

The collection quickly became a cornerstone of Tudor’s lineup, offering robust build quality, vintage-inspired aesthetics, and a price point that positioned it as a strong alternative to more expensive luxury dive watches. In 2018, Tudor introduced the Black Bay GMT, featuring a 41mm case and a classic “Pepsi” bezel reminiscent of Rolex’s legendary GMT-Master.

While the watch was well-received, its 14.5mm thickness made it too bulky for some enthusiasts, sparking calls for a slimmer alternative. 

At the same time, Tudor launched the Black Bay 58, a more compact 39mm dive watch that quickly became one of the brand’s most popular models.

The combination of its vintage charm, perfect proportions, and wearability made it an instant hit. Naturally, collectors began asking for a GMT version in the same proportions, but for some reason – maybe purely for the excitement that would follow – they took their time. 

The release of the Black Bay 58 GMT finally delivered on years of anticipation in 2024. With its 39mm case, 12.8mm thickness, and a brand-new METAS-certified movement, it offered the perfect balance of aesthetics, ergonomics, and technical refinement.

The design was as expected, boasting gold accents, rivets, and vintage-style colour choices. It felt as though this watch had always belonged in the catalog. And unlike previous GMT models, it avoided the bulkiness that had been a point of contention, making it the ultimate travel watch for Tudor fans. 

Tudor has a history of refining and perfecting its offerings, often holding back just enough to keep collectors coming back for more. With this release, however, they seemed to have finally hit the sweet spot. The Black Bay 58 GMT is, on paper, the perfect Tudor GMT but now, the real test begins: how does it perform on the wrist? 

A Compact Case 

As we’ve already mentioned, one of the biggest selling points of the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT is its impressively compact dimensions so it makes sense to start with the numbers.

The Black Bay 58 GMT measures 39mm in diameter, 12.8mm in thickness, and has a 47.8mm lug-to-lug distance. These dimensions place it in a sweet spot that suits a wide range of wrists while maintaining a strong wrist presence. 

Most importantly, it’s a noticeable improvement over the chunkier Black Bay GMT and Black Bay Pro, both of which measured a hefty 14.6mm in thickness.

This reduction of nearly 2mm significantly enhances the overall wearability of the watch, making it feel closer to vintage Rolex GMT-Master models in size and proportion. 

The case is crafted from stainless steel and features a blend of brushed and polished finishes that showcase Tudor’s expertise in casework. The top surfaces of the lugs are brushed for a tool-like appeal, while the case flanks are polished.

A polished chamfer also runs along the edges, a signature Black Bay design cue that enhances the overall visual appeal. The case shape retains the classic slab-sided aesthetic of the Black Bay line, though the slimmer profile makes it less pronounced than in previous GMT models. 

Another major talking point is the bezel. Tudor opted for an anodized aluminum insert in a black and burgundy “Coke” color scheme, a nod to vintage GMT watches but with its own distinct character.

The muted tones and gilt accents for the 24-hour scale reinforce the retro charm, making it a seamless fit within the Black Bay 58 lineage.

The bezel action is precise, with a satisfying click and just the right amount of resistance. Compared to some of the looser or stiffer bezels found on competitor GMT watches, Tudor nails the perfect balance here. 

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The screw-down crown is another significant update. Unlike earlier Black Bay models that featured an exposed crown tube, the Black Bay 58 GMT follows the approach introduced with the Black Bay 54, where the crown sits flush against the case.

This small design change makes for a cleaner and more cohesive case profile. The crown itself remains unguarded, once again adding to the watch’s vintage aesthetic, and features the classic Tudor rose engraving.

Topping it all off is a domed sapphire crystal which subtly mimics the charm of old-school acrylic crystals found on mid-century dive and GMT watches.

Unlike flatter sapphire designs, the domed shape plays beautifully with light, enhancing the overall warmth and depth of the dial while still providing modern scratch resistance.

And finally, despite the slimming down of the case, Tudor has maintained a robust 200m water resistance rating, reinforcing the Black Bay 58 GMT’s credentials as a true go-anywhere, do-anything timepiece. 

A Black Retro Dial 

The dial of the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT is exactly what you’d expect from the Swiss watchmaker. The black dial immediately commands attention with its rich, slightly grained texture that echoes classic Tudor Submariners of the past. The warm gilt accents, used for the minute track, logos, and text, enhance the watch’s old-school charm, creating an aesthetic that feels timeless and sophisticated. 

Unlike the traditional deep gold-toned gilt seen on the original Black Bay 58, the 58 GMT’s gilt leans towards a more saturated, almost orange hue. While some purists may take issue with this fauxtina-style approach, it undeniably adds warmth to the dial and complements the bezel’s black and burgundy tones beautifully. 

The handset follows Tudor’s well-established design language, featuring the iconic snowflake hour hand which was originally introduced in the late 1960s. The long, slender minute hand and lollipop-style seconds hand complete the standard timekeeping trio. Then you have the GMT function which introduces a fourth central hand, distinguished by its snowflake tip. Unlike other GMT watches that often opt for a high-contrast color on this hand, Tudor has kept it in the same gilt tone as the rest of the handset. While this does maintain visual harmony, it slightly reduces the contrast, making the GMT hand a bit harder to spot at a glance. 

A key refinement over previous Black Bay models is the cleaner text layout on the dial. Instead of a cluttered stack of specifications, Tudor has opted for a more restrained approach, with just two lines of text at 6 o’clock reading “GMT” and “Master Chronometer.” This small but impactful change enhances the watch’s symmetry and ensures the focus remains on its design rather than excessive branding. The presence of the “Master Chronometer” inscription is particularly significant as it signals that the watch meets METAS certification standards (more on this shortly). 

Another thoughtful detail is the cream-colored date wheel, subtly positioned at 3 o’clock. Unlike stark white date discs that can sometimes clash with vintage-inspired dials, Tudor has carefully matched the date window to the lume tone of the hands and indices, ensuring a cohesive and balanced look. Speaking of lume, the indices which consist of round, rectangular, and triangular markers, are generously filled with Super-LumiNova, ensuring excellent low-light readability.

A METAS-Certified Movement

At the heart of the Black Bay 58 GMT is Tudor’s brand-new Caliber MT5450-U, a movement that represents a significant step forward in both performance and design. While it draws inspiration from the brand’s existing GMT calibers, most notably the MT5652. it is by no means just a downsized version. Instead, Tudor has engineered an entirely new movement, allowing them to slim down the watch while maintaining all the functionality and robustness expected from a modern GMT. 

The MT5450-U is a fully automatic, in-house caliber that beats at a steady 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). It features a 65-hour power reserve, slightly less than the 70 hours found in the MT5652, but still more than enough for a weekend off the wrist. More importantly, Tudor has managed to reduce the movement’s thickness significantly, shaving off about 1.4mm compared to the GMT calibers used in the Black Bay GMT and Black Bay Pro. This reduction in height plays a crucial role in keeping the Black Bay 58 GMT’s case slim at just 12.8mm, making it one of the most wearable GMT watches in Tudor’s lineup. 

Functionally, the MT5450-U is a true “flyer” GMT movement, meaning the local hour hand can be adjusted independently in one-hour increments without stopping the movement. This makes it ideal for frequent travelers, as it allows seamless time zone changes while the 24-hour hand continues to track home time. The date is also tied to the local hour hand, meaning it will automatically advance or move backward when crossing midnight. Paired with the rotating 24-hour bezel, this setup enables the tracking of a third time zone. 

One of the most impressive aspects of the MT5450-U is its certification. Unlike previous Tudor movements, which were COSC-certified chronometers, this caliber has achieved full METAS Master Chronometer certification. This is a significant upgrade, as METAS testing goes beyond standard chronometer accuracy to evaluate the movement in its fully cased-up form. The certification guarantees a deviation of just 0 to +5 seconds per day, ensuring exceptional timekeeping precision. 

Additionally, the movement is tested for water resistance, power reserve consistency, and most importantly, resistance to magnetism. The MT5450-U can withstand magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss, thanks to its silicon balance spring and non-magnetic components. The “U” in MT5450-U signifies the movement’s anti-magnetic properties, with the letter representing the shape of a traditional magnet. The movement also features a variable inertia balance wheel with a traversing bridge, a design element that enhances stability and shock resistance.

A Choice of Two Straps 

The Black Bay 58 GMT is offered with two strap options: Tudor’s signature rivet-style steel bracelet or an integrated rubber strap with steel end links. Both options complement the watch’s vintage-inspired design while offering modern durability and comfort. 

The steel bracelet follows Tudor’s traditional three-link construction with a riveted edge, a nod to the brand’s historical designs. While some enthusiasts may have preferred a more classic Oyster-style bracelet, the rivet-style adds character and reinforces the retro aesthetic of the watch. The bracelet is exceptionally well-finished, with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces that enhance its premium feel. 

For those who prefer a sportier or more contemporary look, the rubber strap option is an excellent alternative. Designed with integrated steel end links, it maintains a seamless transition from case to strap, avoiding the awkward gap often found with aftermarket rubber straps. The rubber itself is high-quality, flexible, and comfortable for all-day wear, making it a great choice for those who favor a more casual aesthetic. 

Both straps come with Tudor’s popular T-fit clasp. It’s a clever system that allows for on-the-fly micro-adjustments of up to 8mm, ensuring a perfect fit throughout the day without the need for tools. The clasp features the engraved sloping Tudor shield logo and ceramic ball bearings in the mechanism to provide a smooth, secure closure. 

On-Wrist Experience 

I’ve been fortunate enough to trial the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT for a couple of weeks now, so I feel confident in expressing exactly how this watch really wears and feels. For starters, it strikes a near-perfect balance in proportions, making it an incredibly wearable daily sports watch. It has enough presence to feel robust and confident on the wrist, yet it remains compact and slim enough for all-day comfort. Unlike some downsized watches that lose their original design balance, this one feels just right. 

At 39mm in diameter and with a slimmed-down profile, the watch sits effortlessly on a variety of wrist sizes. Those with wrists even below 6 inches will appreciate how well it conforms, while those above 7 inches will no doubt still enjoy it if they lean towards “smaller” watches.   

The bracelet, with its T-fit clasp, adds another layer of comfort and practicality. The micro-adjustment system makes it easy to get the perfect fit, ensuring the watch stays secure without feeling restrictive. The rubber strap, while an excellent option for those who prefer a sportier look, doesn’t quite capture the vintage spirit of the watch in the same way as the steel bracelet – at least in my opinion – so if it was me, I’d go for the bracelet.

Price & Availability

The Black Bay 58 GMT is a permanent addition to Tudor’s Black Bay collection, meaning there’s no rush to secure one before it disappears. It’s currently readily available to order brand new from any authorized Tudor retailer, including Exquisite Timepieces. It retails for $4,550 on the rubber strap and $4,775 on the steel bracelet, making it competitively priced for a METAS-certified GMT watch with this level of finishing. 

For those open to the pre-owned market, there are already some second-hand examples circulating. A quick search suggests that prices hover around $4,000, though this may vary depending on condition and availability. 

Conclusion 

With the Black Bay 58 GMT, Tudor has delivered a truly outstanding timepiece, one that feels like the culmination of everything the brand has refined since its modern resurgence in 2012. This watch takes the best elements of the Black Bay line and distills them into a near-perfect package, finally offering the proportions many enthusiasts have been waiting for. 

Objectively, there’s little to fault here. The build quality is excellent, the METAS-certified movement is robust and reliable, and the true GMT functionality makes it an ideal companion for frequent travelers. Versatile enough to handle anything from diving to daily wear, it’s a watch that seamlessly balances vintage charm with modern performance. Simply put, in its price range, the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT is hard to beat.