The new Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Flamingo Blue” has been hit with mixed reviews. Here at Trilogy, we think it’s a beautiful, aesthetically fresh timepiece that we can’t stop looking at. Maybe that’s because it’s a welcome distraction from London’s grey, gloomy skies. But we think there’s more to it than that…
Brand ambassador, David Beckham, teased the latest Tudor Black Bay Chrono (Ref M79360n-0024) on Instagram last month.
The newest Black Bay Chrono goes by “Flamingo Blue”, but we’ve also heard people call it the turquoise or Tiffany blue version. Yes, it has a blue dial. No, flamingos aren’t blue. But the shade somehow makes sense.
The model is part of Tudor’s ‘Born to Dare’ range, where the brand houses its boldest and most unconventional pieces.
And this hits the brief. It manages to merge Tudor’s skill for professional divers’ watches with a sports chronograph. The Black Bay is water resistant to 200m – so it’s ready for a dip in the ocean or a pool party in Miami.
Let’s address the flamingo in the room
You already know flamingoes aren’t blue. Tudor knows that, too:
“If you were to describe “Flamingo Blue” to someone, chances are you would come up with this very tone of turquoise, so distinctive of the tropical waters flamingos are known to love. Nothing about a blue flamingo blends in, and that’s why the new Black Bay Chrono model was born to stand out, with a dial in a vibrant blue hue that’s unlike anything else in the TUDOR line-up.” - Tudor
This is a vibrant Tudor chronograph with a turquoise dial you want to dive straight into. It effortlessly channels sunny South Beach vibes; think blue skies and white sandy beaches. A tropical shade with Tudor’s signature “Snowflake” hands is paired with a contrasting black aluminium tachymeter bezel and black sub-counters for the ultimate in cool factor.
A 5-link jubilee steel bracelet gives the timepiece a retro touch, but mostly we’re fixated on the tropical, playful tones Tudor is dipping into. Flamingo Blue is a 2025 take on last year’s candyfloss-like “Pink Panda”. (Pandas aren’t pink, but you knew that, too…)
Both versions are popping with personality, although we’re in the majority that likes this blue shade more than the pink.
The facts
The Tudor Black Bay is synonymous with rugged elegance. Obviously. Durability is a given with every model in the Tudor line-up.
But which features make this model a hit?
- 5-link jubilee style bracel
- Micro-adjustable “T-fit” clasp
- Manufacture Calibre MT5813 (based on Breitling B01)
- Column-wheel construction and vertical clutch
- 41mm stainless steel case
- 14.4mm thick
- Black subdials
- Brushed surfaces and polished accents
- 70-hour power reserve
It’s not for everyone…
But it is for us.
We’ve been following the conversation around this summery Black Bay Chrono. And, like with any new release that colours outside the lines a little, there’s an air of uncertainty in the watch industry.
Some love it. Some find it too sickly sweet. Others aren’t sure.
Either way, it’s already making a splash.
01
“This is a lazy release.”
Some critics are dubbing the timepiece as “lazy”. A common complaint circling forums is that Tudor hasn’t changed anything but the dial.
And while we’re not arguing with the statement, we are wondering: Why would they change anything else, especially when there was so much hype around the pink version?
This is a high-performance watch that exceeds industry standards for accuracy and reliability. It’s not just a pretty face; great things are happening under the hood. It just got a little more fun.
We know the purists would rather stick to a Tudor with a black dial. If that’s the case, maybe this watch isn’t for you. If, however, you want something that feels fresh but is powered by the best of Tudor, this is nothing short of a delight.
02
“The turquoise trend is old news. Tudor is just piggybacking on the hype around Tiffany Blue.”
We won’t deny that the turquoise trend has been done before. And this does feel a little Tiffany-esque.
But the Black Bay Flamingo Blue has a rugged spin that makes it a quintessential Tudor watch.
We’ve got the classic Black Bay aesthetic with contrasting sub-counters and a tachymeter bezel with a black anodised aluminium insert. It has a sporty essence juxtaposed with this cool party shade – and that’s enough to make us forget about any alignment with old or current trends.
03
“Tudor is just walking in Rolex’s shadow.”
Some of the backlash out there says Tudor is playing it safe by following in Rolex’s footsteps. I.e. they’re creating eccentric dials to build hype and generate exclusivity, without changing much about the watch itself.
Now, Rolex is Tudor’s big brother. And sometimes watchmakers have overlapping strategies.
But there are clear distinctions here – and we’ll die on that hill.
Rolex is synonymous with class. It sponsors the planet’s biggest golfing and tennis events and is one of the world’s most expensive watch brands.
Tudor makes luxury more accessible. While Rolex partners with elite sports, Tudor positions itself next to football and Miami’s South Beach. The summery Flamingo Blue shade was surely inspired by the Inter Miami kit. This isn’t an official fact, but since Beckham co-owns Inter Miami and Tudor is the team’s official timekeeper, we put two and two together.
The point is that Tudor has carved its own place. The brands rarely go head-to-head, but if they did, Tudor would certainly hold its own from time to time. (Like the Tudor Black Bay Flamingo Blue vs Rolex Oyster Perpetual in Turquoise – Tudor gets our vote.)
04
“It’s going to be impossible to obtain.”
This Tudor Chrono isn’t a limited edition, but like the pink version, we are expecting it to be difficult to track down.
But we like a challenge, and that just makes the watch even more attractive to us.
The Pink Panda turned the Black Bay Chrono from an almost forgotten timepiece into a hype machine. We’re not surprised Tudor is building on this.
05
“It’s too chunky.”
Preferences in the watch world have shifted towards slimmer timepieces, and not everyone is on board with the chunkiness of the Tudor Chrono.
It seems like Tudor won’t budge, confidently keeping things at 41mm and 14.4mm thick.
We’ve seen flamingo-deniers saying Tudor should have focused on making the watch thinner instead of on evoking Miami beach parties.
You can’t please anyone. And if you’re still a little bit in love with thicker watches, try this for size.
As Tudor itself says: “The Black Bay Chrono “Flamingo Blue” departs from the norm. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a TUDOR.”
06
“Flamingoes aren’t blue.”
Um, correct. They’re not.
But let’s give Tudor a bit of creative freedom, here.
Book an appointment at Trilogy
Our take on the new Tudor Black Bay is that the world is too serious. We welcome a watch brand having some fun, and giving us permission to have fun in the process.
Plus, it’s approved by David Beckham. The man knows his watches.
The Black Bay Flamingo Blue isn’t available to buy online. It’s also likely to be in high demand and hard to access, but you might be able to obtain one of your own by visiting a luxury watch boutique like Trilogy Jewellers.
This watch isn’t a numbered limited edition right now, but it could become a major collector’s piece. Call Trilogy and ask about our sourcing service, and we’ll aim to add a little South Beach to your portfolio.
Retail price: £5,020.
TRILOGY ON YOUTUBE
Follow Trilogy on YouTube for regular updates and reviews of luxury watches and jewellery.