One of the most awaited biennial fundraiser for research on muscular dystrophy – Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies (AMM) – Only Watch – is around the bend, and watchmakers are doing their bit. The auction is to be held on the 9th of November (Sunday), and is organized under the patronage of HSH Albert II de Monaco. At the event, exclusive timepieces will be auctioned by Christie and the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic will be one of them.
In the past, we have seen Tudor Black Bay collection in many material forms. For example, the steel version, the PVD-coated steel, bronze and two-tone, along with size and design and complication options, but for Only Watch, Tudor has its first full ceramic in this collection.
Envisioned as a prototype, this new Black Bay is crafted to be lightweight and in scratch-resistant ceramic. I simply adore the matte black ceramic which comes with a bead-blasted finish. And as a tool watch, the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic One carries on the DNA of the classic BB and comes in 41 mm case. And keeping with the hue, the bezel insert sports sunray-brushed ceramic with an engraved diving scale.
The bezel and crown are PVD-coated as is the caseback. Needless to say, the dial also continues with the fully black composition, and keeps alive the traditional Black Bay layout that the other watches have. The only thing new in here is the usage of matte black with darkened hour markers. The watch also has snowflake hands with black luminescent material and it is enhanced with a green glow.
Teamed with the watch is a hybrid black alligator leather and rubber strap, which is a refined new edition. Keeping with the tradition of using the manufacture calibre MT5602, which is used in the other 41mm BB watches, you can admire the movement via the sapphire caseback. Totally digging this new addition to the clan, and you can even have a peek at the blackened rotor.
As a unique timepiece, just done for the auction, we do hope we can see many more being retailed at a later date. The COSC certified calibre Tudor MT5602 offers 70 hours of power reserve. Estimated between $4500 to $5500.