Black Bay Chrono

The Black Bay Chrono arrived in 2017 as Tudor's first in-house chronograph, built around the MT5813 and wearing that movement's column-wheel, vertical clutch architecture in a 41mm steel case. The bicompax dial keeps things clean: running seconds at nine, thirty-minute counter at three, nothing extraneous. For what you pay, it is one of the most technically complete sport chronographs on the market.

What it is

Tudor had long sourced movements from ETA and Valjoux, so the MT5813 represented a significant departure when it debuted at Baselworld 2017. The caliber was co-developed with Breitling on the B01 architecture, a column-wheel, vertical clutch platform that Breitling had spent years refining in their own Manufacture. Tudor adapted the movement, added a 70-hour power reserve, and certified it as COSC-compliant.

The Black Bay Chrono was immediately positioned as a daily-wear sport chronograph with genuine horological credibility, not a retro styling exercise backed by a commodity movement. It has carried that positioning without a major architecture change since launch.

Buying notes

The 41mm case with its prominent crown-protecting Tudor crown guards sits noticeably thick on the wrist, and buyers who expect it to wear like a slim dresser will be disappointed. Early references produced 2017 through roughly mid-2019 had reported inconsistency in the pushers' feel at lower temperatures; if you're buying pre-owned, confirm pushers operate crisply before purchase. The Rolex-adjacent pricing in the used market means M79360N examples in poor condition rarely get heavily discounted, so condition matters more here than with other pre-owned sport watches.

The aluminum bezel insert on the M79360N scratches easily and is not replaceable as a standalone part at most independent watchmakers. Straps and bracelets are proprietary Tudor fitment, which limits your aftermarket strap options compared to standard 20mm lug watches.

Market read

New M79360N examples retail around $4,500 to $4,800 depending on region, with the steel bracelet version commanding a slight premium over the fabric strap configuration. Pre-owned examples trade in the $3,200 to $4,000 range depending on condition and box-and-papers status. The Breitling B01 platform link has not hurt resale; buyers understand the MT5813 is a serious movement and price accordingly.

Service expectations

The MT5813 is a column-wheel vertical clutch chronograph and should be serviced every seven to ten years under normal use. Tudor service through an authorized center includes a full movement overhaul with documented work on the chronograph mechanism; budget around $600 to $900 for a full service. Independent watchmakers with B01 experience can work on the MT5813, which broadens your service options compared to movements with no platform relatives.