Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G Review

DESIGN

Launched at Baselworld 2019, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono SG is a 41mm diver chronograph. One can think of it as a crossover of two designs from 2017, which are in turn inspired by vintage Tudor watches – the time and date Tudor Black Bay SG (Steel Gold), where the nomenclature comes from, and the Tudor Black Bay Chrono.

What makes the Chrono SG attractive is its “just right” balance of steel, black and touches of gold. It does deliver a big hit of gold: on the crown and pushers (screwed to ensure the 200-m water resistance), the chronograph subdials, the bezel and dial markers, the bezel itself and on the central links of the bracelet. Even the hallmark Black Bay ‘snowflake’ hands and hour markers were given the Midas touch through gold surrounds.

However, all this is tempered by their choice of a soft, satin gold finish and the clever balance of all that gold with steel and black elements. While the gold markers really pop against the matte black of the dial and the anodized aluminum bezel insert, the steel also cools it down. The result is a design that’s both striking yet cohesive.

Overall, the appeal of the Chrono SG is that it’s very much a capable tool watch that’s dressed up with enough touches of gold.

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Steel Yellow Gold Mens Watch 79363 with Breitling Navitimer

MOVEMENT

Aside from its looks, the Chrono SG shares a movement with the Black Bay Chrono – the calibre MT5813 with a column-wheel mechanism and vertical clutch. Based on Breitling’s esteemed B01 movement, the MT5813 is a product of the partnership that Tudor and Breitling launched in 2017.

To create the in-house calibre MT5813, Tudor added a free-spring adjustable mass balance and silicon balance spring to the Breitling B01. The result is a pusher that engages nicely, with no jerking second hand when the pusher is pressed. It also boasts of a 70-hour power reserve.

BRACELET

Tudor also went all out with the bracelet options for the Chrono SG, with each option shifting the look of the watch. It comes with a choice of three straps: the two-tone metal bracelet, vintage leather strap with removable bund, and a woven jacquard fabric, all of which look good with the Chrono SG.