As many know, I am a big Tudor enthusiast. In fact, I am a historian of the brand (and of Rolex of course, but I am more familiar with Tudor because there is less competition, haha). I hope at some point to capture this in a book dedicated to Tudor, but that is another story. The fact is that I am also a bit against the grain and sometimes a bit provocative. I like different, peculiar things. And while I surrender to the classics, I am always ready to highlight the benefits of the less obvious. And the Tudor Black Bay P01 is the perfect example of what I'm saying.
The discovery
In 2019 Tudor and Rolex presented new models at Baselworld, and the general opinion was of a certain anticlimax. Let us remember that two days before the launch at Baselworld 2019, an (un)timely leak showed Tudor's most controversial watch, this Black Bay P01 (by Prototype 01, will there be more?). It is not the first time that new Tudor watches have been leaked, but this year even Rolex found it funny.
I saw the photo of the leak with disbelief and, I admit, a certain horror. Until now there was no official statement that Rolex (or for that matter Tudor) made that strange, asymmetrical watch that was supposedly for the American Navy: the legendary “Project Commando”.
The next day, one day before the start of the fair, suspicions were confirmed. But those 24 hours of reflection and research made me see this watch from a different perspective. The leak was true and, furthermore, it put an end to a years-long controversy!
The little story
He knew the nebulous origins of the prototype and the various aftermarket “iterations” that are circulating out there. I had also once seen in forums the patent with the bezel locking system, requested in 1968 already with the crown at 4 o'clock and its two protectors. This patent reflected the work of Rolex/Tudor since 1967, in response to the competition called by the US Navy, of which Tudor had already been a supplier since the late 1950s with the Tudor Submariner 7922 Big Crown and later the Submariner 7928. Ultimately this document would inspire those aftermarket watches to which I refer.
The first aftermarket, can we call it a replica? , it is said that it was a request from an enthusiast in Japan to an artisan in Vietnam, surely based on the original plans of the watch or having had access to the prototype model. Many monsters followed that watch, easy to find on the internet. They are fake watches, with different stories and diverse journeys (some auctioned for large amounts), some with more work than others, but none coming from Rolex/Tudor. It was from there that the (my) animosity towards the clock arose:
Such design diagrams are another great discovery. Attached to the patent application, these documents are considerably less known. And these are the moments I enjoy the most, those in which mysteries are solved with a tangible and indisputable object. With the look of the Tudor stalwart and my contrary spirit, it was clear to me that this watch was truly special.
Recovering time
We can say that the Tudor Black Bay P01 is the launch - 51 years late - of a military watch. And, thanks to important collaborations with various armies around the world, Tudor is a brand with tremendous military experience. To such an extent that it competes, and actually surpasses, its sister Rolex in this field, at least in number of armies in which it served as official equipment (France, USA, Canada, Israel, South Africa, Argentina and many more).
This is the original patent:
Hands-On with the Tudor Black Bay P01
Added to all this expectation on my part was the obvious delay in the supply of the first units, which finally occurred at the end of October and that was when I got the first unit that arrived at my main store. I must say that I was the first to ask about this piece, the first on the list of interested parties, one of the first to see it at the presentation in Madrid by Tudor and the first to buy it. I couldn't be more grateful to my friend Alberto who has been my Rolex salesperson for 8 years and to the tireless Jon who always takes me into account for all events. This review, my first Hands-On in years, is for them.
Let's analyze the original model part by part.
Tudor conceived this watch as a mixed-use watch, which could be used in several military disciplines. It was said that this watch would be suitable for the US Navy diver, but it was more focused on the helicopter pilot. We can summarize their skills in this list:
Box Finish
Completely brushed, to prevent any reflection of the steel from giving away the presence of the military. Same as the Rolex Milsub for the British Army.
Special end links
to lock the movement of the bezel. This is the defining feature of the Tudor Black Bay P01. The bezel could not only be unidirectional, but at the same time it would have to be fixed because measuring the time that the helicopter must travel to drop off or pick up the divers does not allow any error.
Metal bezel with graduation from 1-12
This is related to the previous point, to be able to establish the exact hour and minute of an event by placing the triangle on the bezel aligned with the minute or hour hand, although it was rather intended as a simple chronograph, capable of measuring events of more than one hour. In a hurry, it could have a second time zone, but this was not its main function.
Position triangle
in the 12 o'clock end link for maximum visibility of normal time, a helicopter can fly inclined, causing dizziness, which can cause the 12 o'clock reference to be lost on the clock.
Crown at 4
>Not for comfort, but to allow adjustment of the hands with the watch on the wrist. 100% functionality. The design plans date back to 1967, Tudor was working on a crown design at 4 o'clock at the same time other brands were doing so, but this watch would not see the light of day.
Fecha
Not very common in the case of military watches, but let's remember that it is not (only) a diving watch. It is a watch for special missions that can take several hours, even days.
To finish
It must be recognized that it is a very faithful interpretation of the original, of which there are supposedly two pieces. Both the original prototype and the P01 show a certain crudeness in design and execution. It gives the impression of being an unfinished object. As it should be!
There is a use of unusual materials, the original prototype had a plastic strap and the P01 has a leather strap with a rubber-like polymer coating on the inside (very comfortable). A friend asked me why without a bracelet? Well, all Tudors and Rolexes look good on a bracelet. But the Tudor Black Bay P01 is the reconstruction of a prototype watch, not a finished watch. It is a "concept", like the cars that are presented at fairs; It has not reached its final design. And this great relaunch must be like that, a watch that gives the impression of half finished, of an idea in progress, of a concept yet to be definitively developed.
The ideal look
That being said, I'll give you some photos with the P01 and the bracelet that historically it should have worn! The first Oyster bracelet with a safety clasp, the prototype developed for the first Rolex Sea-Dweller in history, the Single Red, back in 1967.
Sensations
On the wrist the Tudor Black Bay P01 is powerful. It measures 42mm, is long and the rough end links give it that air of improvisation and a project in progress that I like so much.
The dial is very beautiful, with indexes of a slight vanilla tone, although without exaggeration. How I wish Tudor would release more dials with painted indexes! If Rolex made this, in a Submariner or a GMT, for example, there would be a riot outside the dealerships to get one!
Project Commando failed. It was not accepted by the US Navy, which continued to provide Tudor watches and other brands to its armed forces. Project Commando gave rise to a complex watch,overengineered, expensive to manufacture and probably impractical. It was the first in the Rolex/Tudor family with a system to prevent movement of the bezel.
I think that reviving it is a great success by Tudor. Good for them! And even better for those of us who like Tudor and military watches with history. HeGPHGawarded it precisely the same year it came out.
I think it will be a cult watch in the future. I have no doubt that very few will be served and that in a few years we will talk about why we didn't buy one when they were available in practically all distributors. Anyway, history will tell.
More info attudorwatch.com
