【F】 Tudor Black Bay 54 Vs. Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B31

It’s Sunday morning, so it’s time for an additional heated Sunday Morning Showdown. Two lately launched summer time divers take middle stage on this week’s battle. The primary is the colourful Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue.” The watch reintroduces the aesthetic of the Nineteen Nineties Tudor Submariner ref. 79190 with its mirror-polished bezel. It’s mixed with a light-weight blue sand-textured dial for a colourful and summery vibe. Taking over this Tudor is the brand new Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B31 Computerized 40 Kelly Slater Version. With this watch, Breitling celebrates its ongoing partnership with the world’s most well-known surfer in model. Whereas much less summery in its colours, the dial incorporates a particular leafy motif celebrating the seashores of Hawaii. All in all, there’s lots to debate, so let’s get began.

This week’s battle can be a match-up of a particular version and a restricted version. The Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” is a part of the model’s Daring Watches sequence. It consists of some restricted editions, just like the Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25,” and the harder-to-get limitless editions, just like the Black Bay Chrono “Flamingo Blue” and this new Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue.” The Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B31 Computerized 40 Kelly Slater Version, alternatively, is a restricted version of 500 items. Each watches have been launched simply in time so that you can get your fingers on one earlier than you go in your summer time vacation. To get the Breitling, you’ll need to put down extra money than for the Tudor. This explicit SuperOcean Heritage may be yours for €6,750 on a bracelet or €6,450 on a rubber strap, whereas the most recent Black Bay 54 prices €4,420. Which might you spend your hard-earned cash on?

Final week, on Sunday Morning Showdown…

Earlier than we discover out, let’s take a fast have a look at the latest Sunday Morning Showdown. In final week’s battle, the Citizen Zenshin 60 took 65% of the votes, comfortably beating the BA111OD Chapter 7, which solely managed 35%. It’s not a really stunning end result as a result of it confirms the recognition of Citizen’s Tremendous Titanium sequence that got here out final 12 months. With the brand new Zenshin 60 fashions, the Japanese model has hit it out of the park. We loved spending time with the 4 new watches, and also you additionally favored them in final week’s battle regardless of the BA111OD Chapter 7 having objectively higher specs. Let’s discover out if this week’s battle will carry one other clear victory.

Jorg: Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue”

As we speak’s match-up may very well be so simple as spending your cash properly. With greater than €2,000 between these two watches, you would make the good selection. However that might be too simple. On high of that, I might not simply decide the Tudor for its cheaper worth. I believe it’s genuinely a greater look ahead to me. Now, if at present’s battle have been towards the 2020 Superocean Heritage ’57 Outerknown, it will have been more durable to decide on. I like the restricted version Breitling did for Slater’s clothes model 5 years in the past. However the brand new LE is simply not for me. I’m not the largest fan of the leafy sample on the dial. Certain, it creates the precise Hawaiian context and provides some depth, however I’d a lot reasonably have the Tudor’s brighter dial than a adorned one to accompany me in the course of the summer time days.

You could know the main points of the Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” already, however because the specs are so good, I’ll fortunately recite them. The watch has a 37mm stainless-steel case with an 11.2mm thickness and a 46mm lug-to-lug. Due to these modest proportions, Tudor additionally markets the watch to girls. It’s cool to see that this Black Bay 54 appears to be like good on each women’ and males’s wrists. Whilst an enormous man, I do know I can pull this 37mm watch off completely. We had the common Black Bay 54 in for assessment when it got here out two years in the past. I used to be completely satisfied that the watch match my wrist properly, even when solely on the bracelet. It provides the visible quantity that the Black Bay 54 and 58 want on my wrist.

Taking inspiration from the traditional Tudor Submariner ref. 79190

The case is mixed with a chrome steel bezel with a mirror-polished insert. It takes after the Tudor Prince Date Submariner ref. 79190 that got here out in 1995. It was a part of the final technology of Tudor Subs and goes for a reasonably penny pre-owned.

Picture: Bulang & Sons

I like that authentic model, so it’s no shock that I additionally just like the little nod to it with this new Black Bay 54. On high of that, the mirror-polished bezel insert is completely suited to summer time due to its shiny presence. Kudos to Tudor for utilizing that model of bezel insert to make this watch work so nicely.

The case is matched with Tudor’s five-row “Jubilee-style” bracelet. Tudor will not be too eager on referring to it that manner, however it’s simple to make use of for reference. This bracelet is my solely “challenge” with the watch. I believe an Oyster-style bracelet wouldn’t solely have elevated the sportiness for this retro-styled summer time diver but additionally suited the general aesthetic a lot better. Nonetheless, I don’t assume that will likely be a deciding issue at present.

The Tudor MT5400 motion

For this watch, Tudor makes use of its Kenissi-manufactured caliber MT5400. This COSC-certified chronometer motion operates at 28,800vph and presents 70 hours of energy reserve. It lies throughout the Black Bay 54’s case, which is water-proof to 200 meters, making this new “Lagoon Blue” completely suited to a severe dive session. Nonetheless, everyone knows that a lot of the watches will see a enjoyable leap into the ocean at greatest. On high of that, that is the right watch to put on whereas having dinner or partying in the course of the heat summer time evenings. It has the right vibrant summer time presence with its turquoise sand-textured dial that contrasts completely with its stainless-steel environment.

I choose the summery model of the Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” over the extra subdued and ornamental character of Breitling’s new SuperOcean Heritage. However tell us what you assume, Mike. Why ought to folks spend an extra €2k on the Breitling as their excellent summer time watch?

Mike: Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B31 Computerized 40 Kelly Slater Version

Effectively, right here we’re in an old-school title bout. Two historic manufacturers, Tudor and Breitling, duking it out for dive-watch supremacy — type of. Let’s be trustworthy: each of those watches will fortunately go to severe depths, however each are designed to enchantment to trendy of us. That’s okay, although, as a result of the Tudor Black Bay 54 “Lagoon Blue” and the Breitling SuperOcean Basic Heritage B31 Computerized 40 Kelly Slater Version look nice alongside the way in which.

A tricky battle

I’ll spoil this and state from the get-go that neither selection on this week’s showdown is incorrect. The newest Black Bay 54 is a beautiful watch. Nonetheless, the brand new SuperOcean Heritage is arguably a extra important launch for Breitling. Traditionally, this line has been a big vendor for the model, and fortunately, the most recent technology is fantastically crafted. For at present’s competitors, we’ve chosen the Kelly Slater restricted version. The 40mm by 48.02mm metal watch is a cool ode to Hawaii and is pretty unique, with a 500-piece providing.

A brand new motion will increase wearability

The SuperOcean Heritage makes use of the brand new B31 motion. Breitling labored with the upper-echelon AMT division of Sellita to create this computerized caliber with a free-sprung stability and 78-hour energy reserve. Just like the Black Bay 54’s MT5400, the B31 is an authorized chronometer. Better of all, although, the motion permits the watch to drop right down to a slinky 11.73mm thick. That’s pretty and the kind of thickness that might even permit it to seemingly disappear on a surfer’s wrist. My expertise is that this SuperOcean Heritage wears fantastically.

Addressing the dial and the price

We selected the Kelly Slater version due to its Hawaii-themed dial. Sure, it’s fairly restricted for a big model, however we felt that this dial paired nicely with the sunshine blue sandy-textured one within the Black Bay. Each are stuffed with character and barely completely different from the norm. Having seen the Breitling, I can verify that the design “works” and is neither kitschy nor tacky. Maybe it’s the darkish blue tone that makes it a becoming look ahead to greater than a summer time. Price-wise, the Kelly Slater version is obtainable for €6,400 on a rubber strap or €6,750 on a mesh bracelet. That’s not cheap, however on this case, we’ve got Breitling, which isn’t an understudy model. Plus, it looks like a extra lasting each day watch. For accompaniments, the strap or bracelet is gorgeous, and the mesh is thinner than the earlier technology. Is it higher than the Tudor’s five-row bracelet? Private style will weigh closely, however I discover the Breitling’s mesh slimmer with a pleasant, skinny clasp.

Your time to vote

The Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 40 Kelly Slater Restricted Version is a cool, South Pacific-themed watch taking up a classy mild blue Tudor Black Bay 54. They’re each pretty watches, however there’s a important worth hole. In fact, the Tudor feels extra like a pure summer time watch with its mild and glossy colour scheme. The Breitling heralds Hawaii, which isn’t the identical as many markets in the course of the depths of winter. Motion-wise, each are attention-grabbing and made with assist from the skin. Due to this fact, it’s a troublesome battle. Which watch will you select and why? After voting, please tell us the explanations to your selection within the feedback part beneath.