TUDOR HERITAGE BLACK BAY REF:79220R

Am I too late for the party?

A watch announced and launched back in Baselworld 2012?

Better late than never I say...

The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Ref:79220R
This year, Tudor did a cosmetic update to the watch in a "Midnight Blue" colourway...
The watch came originally on bracelet but I think this watch looks better on strap, so on goes the OEM distressed leather strap and also 3rd party endlinks just to cover up the gaps left by the somewhat thin strap.

Mine comes with a warmer Burgundy bezel.
Burgundy, the colour of Tudor as much as green is the colour of Rolex.
Snowflake hands, matte black dial, rose gold surround markers and hands, gilt printing on dial.
Overall package? A very nostalgic and warm feel.

Nicely done crown with the flower logo.
Screwing and unscrewing felt precise... winding is smooth.
Movement is the tried and tested ETA 2824... gets the job done with minimal hassle and cost.
Tudor is one of those brands that did not rename ETA calibers to some fancy names to confuse non-wis customers.
I find this laudable.

I just love it when casebacks are done like this.
Flat and close to the middle case instead of bulging.
Wears more comfortably this way.

Bevelled lugs... this is like the norm now.
I don't think there's any reputable brand that's not doing bevelled lugs at the moment.
3rd party endlinks fits like a glove.

The watch feels excellent on the distressed leather strap.
Buckle is also well made.
Funny why they designed it in such a way the the "tail" end of the strap is facing down at the 6 o'clock side.
Not complaining... quite unique... does not hamper comfort.

After awhile, decided to take away the endlinks and wear it on just the strap.
The gap is hardly noticeable.
Makes the watch looks smaller as a whole.

I then tried it on a thicker strap.
Looks good as well.
Proves that this watch is really flexible.

Early ownership of this watch does not yield much satisfaction.
But after giving it some time, it has started to warm up.
Beautifully made case and comfortable to wear.
For those that are not looking at Tudor nowadays is missing something really good here.
This is a watch manufactured on the same standards as a Rolex (except using a different grade of steel) and housing an ETA movement.
The whole package comes at an accessible price point even... except the Rolex brand of prestige... or stigma... depending on your point of view.
What more can you ask for?