Tudor Chronograph vs. GMT: Which to Choose?

singingbee · 2018-10-11T04:57:57Z

Choosing between Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue, Black Bay Chrono, and Black Bay GMT? Get collector insights on features, wearability, and movements.

singingbee

WPS member · Rolex forum

29 replies5957 views8 photos

Singingbee seeks community advice on a significant acquisition, torn between the Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue, the Black Bay Chrono, and the Black Bay GMT. His post outlines key criteria for his next watch—high water resistance, bracelet, durability for weekend wear, and versatility—and provides personal pros and cons for each model. The inclusion of wristshots offers valuable context for readers to weigh in on his dilemma.

I am in abit of a dilemma now. Have always wanted to add a chronograph to my collection as it is something which I sorely lacks.

I have done some research and have shortlisted the Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue and the BB Chrono. Reasons for choosing them are:

1) Higher WR
2) Bracelet
3) Tough for weekend playtime
4) Versatile enough for very casual wear and office attires
5) Looks good and fun to wear

I was originally leaning towards the Heritage Chrono Blue but after trying my friend’s new BB Chrono, I feel it fits quite well on my wrist too and looks quite versatile.

Plus it has an “in-house” movement of 70 hours vs the 42 hours of the ETA 2894 on the Heritage Chrono. Downside is I feel the sub dials on the BB Chrono looks too small and the date window doesn’t gel very well with the rest of the dial.

To make thing slightly complicated, I also come into contact with the BB GMT recently and this is a watch which grows on me the more I see it and read about it. To be honest I didn’t care much about it initially as I was of the view that it is a poor man version of its Rolex counterpart. Now I feel differently as I feel it has its own merit that makes me want to own it. It is Tudor’s first GMT and it’s a Pepsi. It also sports Tudor’s first in-house GMT movement. Although value retention is not my priority in this purchase, I suspect the GMT will be the only one that will hold or retain its value.

It fulfils my above requirements except it is not a chronograph. However it is also a genre of watch which I do not own in my admittedly small collection.

Below are the pics of the three watches on my wrist. Which one do you think I should get?

Key Points from the Discussion

Ultimately, the decision should be based on personal preference and which watch brings the most satisfaction, as external opinions only reflect others' tastes.
The Black Bay Chrono is praised for its beauty, robustness, water resistance, and modern chronograph movement, but noted for being thick and chunky.
The Black Bay Chrono's movement is considered more interesting and modern, featuring a long power reserve, column wheel, and vertical clutch, with a design focus on repairability.
The Black Bay GMT is seen as trying too hard with too many elements, while the Heritage Chrono is appreciated for its faithful representation of a classic design without attempting to be something else.
The original poster ultimately chose a chronograph, indicating that despite the appeal of the GMT, the primary goal of adding a chronograph to the collection was met.

The Discussion

jayeyedoubleemmwhy

Oct 11, 2018

It’s a much more interesting (and modern) movement. Long power reserve, column wheel, vertical clutch, supposedly designed by the engineers that also helped make Rolex’s Daytona calibre (albeit for Breitling). The black dial w/ steel case is a very safe combo and will look good in most situations.

Peevee57

Oct 11, 2018

Don’t think you’ll ever get bored of it, classic design.

jayeyedoubleemmwhy

Oct 11, 2018

Also, it was designed with a focus on repairability, so it has some features that I think contributed to Tudor’s decision to use it; auto-centering of chrono parts, partially modular design, etc.

Bill

Oct 11, 2018

I just feel the other two remind me of other watches. The heritage chrono is a faithful representation not trying to be anything else. Bill

Seamaster2254

Oct 11, 2018

recommend as follows; -Tudor BB Chrono - because it is beautiful, robust, water resistant, supermodern chronograph movement. Downside --> thick and chunky. -Tudor Chrono Heritage - stunningly beautiful but mostly in summertime i would say. Also a bit chunky. -Tudor GMT - three snowflake hands on a watch, that is just too much. A bit chunky too. As most Tudor BB's are.

asonstuf

Oct 11, 2018

Followed by the GMT. For some reason I was never turned on by the bb chrono. It always seemed to be trying to hard if that makes sense. So many things going on at once

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