Tudor Heritage Black Bay: Original Model Review

Jocke - Bad Santa's original post offers a detailed unboxing and initial impressions of the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Ref. 79220R, a model that holds a special place in Tudor's modern history. His visual essay highlights the watch's presentation and design elements, providing a valuable look at the 'smiley dial' Black Bay that predates the in-house movement era. This article serves as a retrospective on a significant reference, contextualizing its design choices and packaging for both new enthusiasts and long-time collectors.

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Ref 79220R

It comes in a plain outer box of white cardboard.

Inside this there is a brown inner box.

A really nice piano lacquered wood box.

That feels really lavish covered with a leather-like material. Holder, tag, warranty card and manual, it is in as well.

Even a nylon strap Tudor has been generous to attach the in box.

This model is a mishmash of previous models of Tudor but nevertheless its own model and it belongs to the then conveniently Heritage family. Hands and indexsurroundings is made
of gold and gold text on the dial gives a sober impression. The black matte dial provides a good contrast to the hands, indexes and cremé coloured luminova.
The red bezel insert gives the watch a real lift, I think, 60 clicks model bezel that rotates counterclockwise with distinct positions. The case is 41 mm without crown.

A moderately domed sapphire crystal gives the watch a height of approximately 13 mm.

A screw-down crown that is very easy to unlock and adjust the watch. The watch is rated for 200 meters which it surely pass with a wide margin considering the construction.

A decorated ETA 2824 needs no major presentation, works well in all weather and it can be serviced at the most watchmakers at a reasonable affordable cost.

Picture borrowed from Tudor's website.

I went for the model with leather strap.

Which comes with a really neat folding clasp.

The clasp works really good on the wrist, which not many folding clasp makes, I think.

Lavish with ceramic balls holding the security lock in place.

Really nicely with the milled grooves on the sides that are visible through the security lock.

It is also available with a stainless steel bracelet.

I order that too.

Solid and strong with screwed links, unfortunately no dive extension link and only three adjustment positions.

A nice clasp here also with ceramic balls.

Solid endlinks.

Here you get an impression of the contrast of the matte dial and the hands and index's.

The Luminova do a great work.

Lights sharp and goes quickly.

Double lume.

Overall, a really interesting model in the right size that is affordable at the same time together with the Pelagos raise Tudor as a brand to a higher level, I think.

Here I've got a set of endlinks to my Black Bay.

So I pull them out from the plastic and check so everything is as is should be.

It looks great.

So I have to pull off the strap.

That will be easy with the right tools.

Perfect fit, just like a glove.

Really nice fitting.

Damn, it looks good.

The final result.

I'm really happy with the outcome and this made a perfect watch just a little more perfect.