A Love Letter to the Black Bay Pro

“Some backstory about the watch before I share my wearing experience. The Pro is a watch that I would describe as love at first sight when Tudor announced it in late March 2022. I've been a huge fan of Rolex Explorer II (especially the OG 1655) and that's the reason why the Pro struck me the most when I first saw it. The resemblance of 1655 design and the functionality made me decided to pull the trigger to make this my first Tudor. Don't get me wrong, I've been admiring Tudor as a brand and all the great watches they offer. That said, I've just not be able to find a model that I wanted to own until the Pro.

Of course, I immediately put my name on the waiting list of a local AD and slowly wait for them to call me. But then things don't go as planned, I had to put on hold the acquisition as I was expecting my first child and moving house was on the horizon too during that period.

There are a lot more of priorities in life than owning a watch, and I told myself that good thing comes at right time. You'll eventually own it when the time comes. And the right time eventually came in August last year, when I finally bought this wonderful piece from a gentleman after all the dust has settled.

After over 200 words, let's cut the crap and jump into my wearing experience. If you ask me how's the wearing experience? In short, perfect. It wears so comfortable on my wrist on the bracelet. Perfectly size with its 39mm diameter and 47mm lug to lug on my 6.5 inch wrist (or nearly 17cm for those who mind). I know people criticize the thickness which measures a hair under 15mm (14.6mm to be exact), however I don't find it annoying and bulky. I would be happier if Tudor did some visual trickery by using a deeper screw caseback to hide the thickness (like Rolex did for Sea-Dweller), but I wouldn't mind at all on its current design.

Here is a little fun fact about the Pro. Do you know that? The Pro can be considered as an innovation, a cutting-edge product from Tudor as it owned a few "first" in Tudor. First Tudor to use monoblock ceramic hour markers. First Tudor GMT in 39mm. First Tudor with a new re-designed crown. First stainless steel Tudor equipped with T-Fit clasp (I know BB Bronze Boutique Edition is the first in overall, but I did mention stainless steel, right?). All in all, I can understand that why Tudor name this model as Pro.

I've been wearing it daily (almost) since acquisition, definitely is a beater (not sure whether this is an appropriate word). I wore it in suit, smart casual, tees and shorts, all on bracelet, and it never fails. I brought it on my recent trip which required me to adjust the timezone, and the flyer GMT is the most brilliant complication in the world. Just take the Pro off the wrist upon touchdown, pull the crown, adjust the local hour hand, and there you go! Not to mention that it keeps excellent time too with its COSC certified movement.

The Pro has already taking up a lot of dents and scratches over the bracelent and case side in just 5 months time. But who cares? I'm pretty certain that this watch is a keeper, and I would create a lot of memories and stories by wearing hell out of it for future adventures.” - @21_guns_x on Instagram