As one of the leading producers of custom rubber watch straps, Rubber B deeply appreciates the timepieces that our watch bands end up being a part of. We view a significant part of our work as not just the crafting of these rubber straps, but also adding value to the timepiece as well by allowing it to look, and feel, like an entirely new watch when it is sitting on your wrist.
Occasionally, this gets us to think about some of these watches in a more technical, and competitive, framework. Just as people who are passionate about sports cars often wonder about how two cars from different brands would compare when pitted against each other one, Rubber B likes to think about how watches from different companies fare when they are compared against each other. It is a particularly interesting exercise when you consider the two timepieces that we have chosen today, for reasons we will get into below.
Rubber B has decided to do a comparison of two of the most well-known timepieces in the world – the Tudor Black Bay 58 and the Rolex Submariner. We’ll begin by going into the history of these watches, then further examine their technical and aesthetic specifications, and then go into whether they retain value over a long period.
What is the History of the Rolex Submariner and the Tudor Black Bay 58?
Before we even begin the process of comparing the Rolex Submariner and the Tudor Black Bay 58 from a technical or aesthetic standpoint, it is worth examining the history of these two timepieces in more detail. You can rarely say that two timepieces have a “familial connection,” but in this instance, that happens to be the truth.
The first model of the Rolex Submariner went into production in 1953 and is considered to be one of the first modern “diving watches” in the world. It has steadily grown in popularity since that time, and even though it was designed for those with more physically demanding lifestyles in mind, it has undoubtedly become a mainstream watch since its initial release. In fact, the watch is so ubiquitous in modern culture that James Bond wore one in his first appearance on-screen in “Dr. No” in 1962. The Rolex Submariner, even today, continues to be one of the most popular watches among both divers and military personnel, due to its ability to withstand harsh underwater conditions.
The Tudor Black Bay 58 is, in many ways, a direct descendant of the Rolex Submariner. Because the Rolex Submariner became so well-known around the world, many watchmakers attempted to imitate it in hopes of replicating its success for their own ends. It would, therefore, make particular sense that Tudor would attempt this strategy as well if you were already aware that Tudor is actually owned by Rolex as well.
The Black Bay 58 is one of Tudor’s most popular watches and, in many ways, continues the legacy of what founder Hans Wilsdorf initially hoped the company would achieve when he founded it back in 1926. Tudor was always intended to be a more affordable version of a Rolex timepiece, and Wilsdorf, ever the shrewd businessman, wanted to make sure that he was servicing every demographic of the population when it came to his watches.
Thus, the Black Bay 58 is very much the “little brother” to the Rolex Submariner. The Black Bay 58 was very much inspired by the latter timepiece, and because of this fact, it makes sense that the Black Bay 58 has enjoyed a relative level of popularity to the Rolex Submariner. Both of these timepieces are considered flagship products for their respective companies, but the Black Bay 58 is highly likely in the top three of the highest selling watches for Tudor. As such, the Black Bay 58 is more integral to the continued success of Tudor than the Rolex Submariner is to Rolex.
Now that we have a deeper appreciation for the shared history of the Tudor Black Bay 58 and the Rolex Submariner, it is worth examining them from a more technical standpoint to see how they fare against one another in that regard.
What Are the Technical Specifications of the Submariner?
As of 2020, the Rolex Submariner comes in a 41 mm-sized case. The case and bracelet are made entirely of Oystersteel, which is a proprietary and highly durable material that Rolex developed in-house. It has a Monobloc middle case, with a case back that screws down, and the winding crown that had since become one of Rolex’s immediately recognizable trademarks.
Because it is a diving watch, one of the most components of the timepiece is its bezel. The Submariner has a bezel that is both unidirectional and rotatable. It is graduated for up to 60 minutes and is made from scratch-resistant Cerachrom. The numerals and graduations have been coated in platinum and are highly visible. Finally, this timepiece uses the 3230 caliber and is waterproof for up to 300 meters, or 1000 feet.
How Does The Submariner Stack Up From an Aesthetic Standpoint?
From an aesthetic standpoint, the watch is attractive and highly polished, conveying the sort of utilitarian elegance that Rolex has since become known the world over for. There certainly isn’t anything to complain about, as the numerals are coated in platinum for an extra touch of elegance. In short, the Submariner is equally at home in either the boardroom or the basketball court and can easily toggle between both environments.
What Are the Technical Specifications of the Tudor Black Bay 58?
The Tudor Black Bay is a fascinating watch from a technical standpoint because it attempts to do something that most modern luxury timepieces do not – in this instance, the watch seems to have one foot firmly planted in the past, with the other in the present.
Everything about this watch, including and up to its name, is intended to be vintage in some aspect. The Tudor Black Bay 58 was given that name because, in 1958, Tudor released its first watch that was waterproof for up to 200 meters. As such, this spirit totally informs the way the watch was designed from a technical standpoint and guided its design and appearance, which we will cover in a few moments.
The Tudor Black Bay 58 has a case size of 39 mm. While this may seem small at first, it is important to remember that in the 1950’s, diving watches were not made to be as big as they are today. This is partial because people were overall much smaller during this time, but also because diving watches were more focused on being elegant as opposed to being robust in terms of design.
However, not everything about the Tudor Black Bay 58 is entirely rooted in nostalgia. The Black Bay 58 features an MT5402 caliber, which is a brand-new movement that Tudor has developed in-house. The Black Bay 58’s caliber measures 26 mm in diameter and displays hour, minute, and second functions. It is also important to note that the Black Bay 58 has a 70-hour power reserve, giving it one of the longest-lasting times of any timepiece currently available on the market.
How Does The Black Bay 58 Compare From an Aesthetic Standpoint?
The Black Bay 58 comes in two different available color schemes – black and navy blue. Again, this was a very intentional design pattern on the part of Tudor, as the Black Bay 58 is meant to evoke diver’s watches from the 1950’s. If that was Tudor’s stated goal at the outset, then they have most certainly succeeded. And while the Black Bay 58 is certainly an aesthetically pleasing watch, it is not quite as elegant as the Submariner, mainly because the latter timepiece has more precious metals used in its production.
How Do The Submariner and Black Bay 58 Compare in Terms of Retaining Value Over Time?
The research here actually yielded some very interesting results which were, to be frank, genuinely surprising. Generally speaking, luxury watches, such as the Submariner, tend to depreciate by anywhere between 50-60% over a given period of time, which is not an insignificant amount.
However, even though the Black Bay 58 is still very much a luxury watch, it loses around 0-30% of its retail value over the same time. Though the Black Bay 58 may technically be the “little brother” when compared to the Submariner, it definitely outshines its older sibling in this particular area by a significant margin.
Looking for a Custom Rubber Watch Strap For Your Black Bay 58 or Submariner Timepiece? Visit Rubber B Today
If you require a custom rubber watch band for your Black Bay 58, Submariner, or other luxury timepieces, visit Rubber B today to see our complete product catalog. We offer custom rubber straps in a plethora of different colors and styles and are sure to have something that meets all of your needs. To learn more about our various product lines, simply visit our website today.
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