Tudor’s latest addition to the Black Bay range aims to repopularise bi-metal steel and gold designs, aided by appearances on the wrist of one Mr David Beckham. But how will it go over with the watch fans"

By Chris Hall

I must begin by eating my words. I have said in print twice now that Tudor should stop making new versions of the Heritage Black Bay; that enough is enough and we are ready for something completely new (my heart is still set on a GMT or dual time from Tudor). 
Clearly I was dead wrong. New versions of the Black Bay continue to appear – from limited edition versions for Bucherer to this, the Heritage Black Bay S&G (that’s the official name; it stands for steel and gold but Tudor’s the “cool” younger brother, so S&G it is). And with the development of the Heritage Black Bay Chrono and the introduction of the 36mm and 41mm pared-back versions, it is clearer than ever that Black Bays of some description now form the backbone of everything Tudor does.  Which is why it also makes sense for this watch to be on the wrist of newly signed brand ambassador David Beckham. This – like Tudor’s sponsorship of the All Blacks – is part of a big push at the genuine mainstream; having won the hearts of watch lovers Tudor now needs to aim squarely at taking business from the likes of TAG Heuer. This newest model is, thanks to the gold elements, that little bit more expensive than its siblings, bu...