Skip to main content

The Manual Wind 2014 Watch of the Year: Tudor Black Bay Blue

The 2014 year in watches is coming to a close.  The variety of timepieces reviewed here on The Manual Wind has ranged from the practically unobtainable high end, to well designed values.  The common trend of the past few years and even more so in 2014 has been the tribute timepiece.  Brands celebrating their history with new versions of old designs was the dominant theme and expect to see more for 2015.

Tudor-Heritage-Black-Bay-Blue-case-and-crown-detail-620x252
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Personally, being immersed in the watch industry allows me to be hands on with many timepieces.  After careful consideration of both the pieces I have encountered as well as reviewed, I  have a pick for watch of the year.  This timepiece to me is one that not only has great design and a reliable movement, but is a good value and investment.  For 2014, the watch that encompasses it all, residual value, design, reliability, and fair price point is the Tudor Black Bay Blue.

Recommended Videos

Tudor-Heritage-Black-Bay-Blue-dial-and-bezel-detailThis 40mm timepiece is the anchor of the Tudor brand in the United States.  Solidly built, this Rolex cousin shares some attributes with the classic Rolex Submariner but still stays true to Tudor heritage.  The snowflake hour hand and matte dial have a vintage essence to the old Tudor subs.  Solidly built, The Black Bay Blue is water resistant with a screw down crown and comes on a very well made bracelet and additional NATO strap.  Introduced with the blue bezel this year, the Black Bay changed its personality from being more of a weekender in red to being an all around pick for your wrist in blue.

Priced at a retail of $3,425 and holding great residuals on the secondary market, the Tudor Black Bay Blue is no question my strong buy recommendation when your bonus comes through in the first quarter.  History, reliability, design, versatility, and value.  The Tudor Black Bay Blue has it all and is The Manual Wind watch of the year.   Inquire about purchasing one here.

Ian Schwam
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Contributing writer and watch enthusiast Ian Schwam dons an expert knowledge of all things watches. Having spent a decade in…
Tudor watches, including the Black Bay, are up to 54% off
A man wearing a Tudor Black Bay GMT watch.

If you've been looking for a luxury watch, you've probably heard of great Swiss watch brands like Tudor. Now, is your chance to own one at an affordable price. We've found hundreds of their watches on sale at Jomashop today, including quite a few from the quite famous Black Bay line. As odd as it may seem in early March, the sale is being referred to as the "Big Winter Sale". But it is still technically an in-season name, with winter ending March 19th.

In any event, we're finding great deals in the sale, which ends on Friday. The amount off is typically around 15% off to 20% off, but there's at least one watch in the sale that tops the 50% off line, so great deals can be found if you search high and low. Tap the button below to transport yourself to the sale, or keep reading to get our take on the best deals and most interesting watches in the sale.

Read more
The new Tudor black Pelagos FXD watch has a throwback ’60s design inspired by the U.S. Navy
This new dive watch has a retro feel
Tudor’s Black Pelagos FXD

Rolex may have spent the last century as the biggest name in the watch game, but founder Hans Wilsdorf recognized in the mid-1920s that his beloved timepieces were out of reach for the everyman. His solution was to create a new brand of affordable luxury watches, bringing the same beautiful aesthetics and Swiss construction; Tudor was born in 1946.

While Tudor watches bring with them the same quality design and reliability as their older brother, they developed their own distinct identity by capturing the attention and the loyalty of explorers and military organizations the world over. In 2012, the brand developed a line as a throwback to its diving history. Pelagos watches became one of its most popular lines. Its newest iteration, the FXD, comes with a black face and nods to the brand's naval history.

Read more
From Maine with heritage: Rancourt & Co debuts bison leather camp loafer
Rancourt & Co bring heritage to a new hybrid style
pair of rancourt and co camp laofers

Known for their family-owned business and quality craftsmanship, Rancourt & Co continues to keep alive the heritage of timeless and sophisticated construction. Based in Maine, Rancourt & Co. has made a name for itself with elevated styles that last despite time and trends. Between casual shoes and formal options, Rancourt & Co. has a vast lineup that has it all. In their newest launch, the American company takes on two of its best-known silhouettes, camp mocs and loafers, for a hybrid style that is as durable as it is sophisticated. With holiday events and more just around the corner, the newly released Belgrade Camp Loafer provides the versatility of a shoe that can be dressed up or down. Arriving in a new cognac shade, this multi-use camp loafer is the perfect addition to any autumn wardrobe. 

Rancourt & Co. brings heritage to a modern hybrid shoe  

Read more