Founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, the creator of Rolex, Tudor was born with the aim of offering Swiss quality watches with their own identity, but accessible to a wider audience. Throughout its history, Tudor has produced robust and reliable professional watches, often used by armies and naval forces, while maintaining a close link with the world of exploration and diving.
Since 2010, the brand has experienced a strong renaissance with the reintroduction of iconic models revisited in a modern key, such as the Black Bay collection. With the introduction of in-house movements, a consistent aesthetic and an excellent quality-price ratio, Tudor has established itself as one of the most appreciated maisons in the panorama of contemporary sports watchmaking.
The Tudor Black Bay Heritage 79220R is the first model in the reborn Black Bay line, introduced in 2012, and today considered a modern classic of sports watchmaking. This reference marked Tudor's return to a design inspired by its historic diving watches of the 1950s and 1960s, with vintage details reinterpreted in a contemporary way. The 79220R is particularly appreciated for its burgundy bezel, a distinctive element that has helped define its success.
The 41 mm steel case features brushed surfaces and a unidirectional rotating bezel with a burgundy anodized aluminum insert. The domed black dial with a matte finish features circular indexes and the iconic "snowflake" hands, a clear tribute to the Tudor diver's watches of the 1970s. The crystal is domed sapphire, while the case back is screwed and solid. Water resistance is guaranteed to 200 meters.
Inside is the ETA caliber 2824-2, a Swiss automatic movement known for its reliability and ease of maintenance. It was used exclusively in the early versions of the Black Bay, before the introduction of in-house movements. It has a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. The model was available with a riveted steel bracelet, leather strap, or fabric NATO.
The 79220R is today particularly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for several reasons: it is the first reference of the Black Bay line, it adopts the "pink" Tudor logo on the dial (later replaced by the shield), and it represents one of the last productions with an ETA movement. These elements, combined with a successful aesthetic and a strong historical identity, make it a watch of great interest to collectors and also perfect for everyday use.
