TUDOR BLACK BAY HERITAGE
The Tudor Black Bay Heritage “Smiley” is the last Black Bay Heritage on the ETA movement before Tudor introduced its new in-house movement to the Black Bay line. The Black Bay Heritage “Smiley” was discontinued in 2016 but collectors still flock to the reference for many details — the Smiley, the Tudor Rose logo on the crown, and a slimmer case.
FOR SALE TODAY AT 888 TIMEPIECES
As collectors prioritize their wants, the original blue Tudor Black Bay Heritage in Blue (Ref. 79220B) remains high at the top of the wrist-list — a modern take on a vintage-inspired aesthetic pleases enthusiasts everywhere. Brushed lugs and beveled case edges provide a hearty nod to past Tudor military watches but still maintain a contemporary look.
The 79220B continues to steadily rise in value as fewer examples populate the market and collectors move these to their permanent collection. We were lucky to get our hands on one from a particularly meticulous enthusiast; the purchase felt like a gift more than a business transaction.
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THE MOVEMENT
I’d be remiss to not talk briefly about what’s under the hood, and that’s none other than the ETA 2824 movement. Introduced in 1982 and beating at 28,800 vph with 25 jewels and a 38-hour reserve, the 2824 movement is very much a stalwart of watchmaking. It’s capable and robust, and it’s been iterated and perfected in the last thirty years to be good enough for virtually any watch with case dimensions to accommodate it. The ETA 2824-2 was selected because it does the basics well, and this is very much a simple Tudor.
The ETA 2824 (folks in the know will often omit the “dash-two” at the end for brevity’s sake) is roughly 5mm thick — meaning that the Tudor Black Bay Heritage Smiley actually is a touch thinner than its newer counterpart, which is always welcome.
THE BOTTOM LINE
$3,100 USD
The Tudor Black Bay Heritage wears well. It’s light but feels substantial, and when holding it in the hand, it feels like a great balance between artisan watchmaking and practicality. I’m always particularly impressed by how well Tudor strikes balance across their line.
All photos featured here are photos of the exact watch. It is for sale through 888 Timepieces. Just contact us to arrange a purchase, and we’ll be happy to send you more photos of the watch, schedule a brief call to discuss the purchase and coordinate shipping, and make sure everything is to your satisfaction when your new piece arrives.