Rolex Submariner v Tudor Black Bay | Who Makes The Best Swiss Dive Watch?

[@walkerb1734]

I own both. So no bias here. Both are excellent grail-level watches that will serve you a lifetime. Being honest, the nod goes to Tudor BB. Nothing against the Sub, but I just despise what ‘Rolex’ as a brand has become. It’s a pretentious showpiece for many to flaunt wealth. Now, I recognize I’m generalizing here. But with Tudor you can be assured that the wearer has chosen that piece because of it’s horological merits...not to show off.

[@chiliprepper7678]

I own both. Got the Tudor 2nd. Love wearing the Tudor BB red. It is like slipping into a favorite pair of jeans. 😀👍⌚⌚

[@alnadaf]

The Tudor is in my view the best watch bought new for the money!

[@JustWatchreviews]

Threads, Suits & Timepieces UK it really is a great watch. Thanks for checking in!

[@siamwatchaddict9072]

My money agrees .. Just ordered one 6 month waiting list... A grail watch for me..

[@AK-pr2nk]

Totally agree, even better in person, the Rolex looks to blingy for me

[@youngsamuel3529]

My Tudor Black Bay 79230B runs 17 seconds faster for 46 days, hence it runs at 0.37s faster per day, it's amazing accurate

[@coocool67]

Both amazing, but Tudor BB has better cost/reward ratio

[@matsleandersson1243]

Great review. Have had my BB for 10 months and it has stayed within -1 to +1 s/day, depending on usage.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thanks Mats!

[@mannycalavera2335]

With the dimensions of the new Tudor Black Bay 58 I am going with the Tudor. I Always liked the more vintage looking BB over the Submariner. But now that it is available in more sensible dimensions the choice has become very easy for me.

[@richardprice7763]

Tudor is a gorgeous looking watch. I love the very fine machine milling on the bezel edge. Looks like a proper non dressy diver......

[@AZadeh-nd8vx]

Burgundy bezel is my favourite watch as well - just incredible

[@WoodshavenPatriot]

In my opinion the coin edge on Tudors is much nicer than the Rolex bezel.

[@Bobsbargainbasement]

Excellent Episode ! I have the 79230R and love it as well! I’ve had it for 3 months and it’s been inning at +2/ -2 the whole time! Incredible! And like a dummy I dropped it on morning when putting it on (on hardwood floors) and thought I would have to send it back to Tudor, I was freaking out but the darn thing keeps on trucking at +2 per week like yours! Haha , no damage was caused by the way it landed right on its crystal! This one will go to my oldest son!

[@JustWatchreviews]

Amazing! I'm glad it was OK and to know that it is as robust as advertised. Thanks for checking in!

[@strapped2time]

That's the beauty of a free-sprung variable inertia balance... better against shock. 👍👏🍻

[@mikeoconnor1819]

Great review Mike, both beautiful watches but hard to justify the Rolex when you could have the Black Bay and the new 58 for the price of the Rolex plus a holiday!!lol

[@JustWatchreviews]

mike o connor thanks Mike! I was just thinking about that exact thing! 😆

[@johndickinson5422]

I have a bb Harrods edition with the green bezel....

[@maitrehg]

Excellent video. According to my tastes, these are probably the two most beautiful watches that we can buy at their respective prices. I own the same Tudor and I don’t regret my purchase. One day maybe I'll get the Sub.

[@JustWatchreviews]

maitrehg thanks!

[@VB-3]

They are both classics in their own way, but the Submariner has become a touch trite due to its commonality and homages. The Tudor has more character and uniqueness to it. Not to say the Tudor is the better watch, but it’s the better buy, and a good rival for the submariner.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Hi VB, thanks for the comment. I'm interested to see what sort of value each will retain 20 years down the road. Both great timepieces for sure.

[@korenglik4634]

what is the name of the song used at the start of the video?

[@robertschriek812]

Thanks for the informative review!

[@JustWatchreviews]

robert schriek thanks Robert!

[@romanelkin3484]

tudor BB is perfect

[@theamericano3966]

As a watch to be taken diving. I wouldn't wear a Tudor BB. That crown is too exposed. So much stuff in diving can get snagged on other stuff. But that aside it's very good. I'm a big fan of the Rolex 14060/14060M and 114060 but the B.B. deserves credit, just not in a head to head tool watch showdown with the 114060 for me.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Alex H Kane thanks for checking in Alex, interesting point. 👍🏻

[@WoodshavenPatriot]

I have the Tudor BB 41 steel. Has anyone ever bought a second bezel in order to change out the color? I’d like to have the black as an option.

[@JustWatchreviews]

I’ve looked into it, they are available here and there and I’m sure you could order one from an AD. The steel would look awesome with the black bezel. 👌🏻

[@andrewwheeler8591]

Got the Black Bay black 41 a month ago and haven't taken it off! Got my Seamaster 42 on rubber for the summer and wouldn't swap either for a "look at me" Rolex. Just my opinion 🤷 Thanks for the review Regards from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍

[@rcm4u2]

Great review.

[@herbmerced7780]

Getting the Tudor in a few weeks!

[@JustWatchreviews]

Congrats, wear it in good health!

[@fjones1914]

Opening intro song reminded me of Clayton Thomas’ slow motion punches. LoL! I’d take one of each and enjoy each one immensely. I wish they both had the lume on their bezels like the Pelagos.

[@budg8522]

Though I don’t own a Submariner, both my Rolex Daytona and Datejust2 gain four to seven seconds a day while my BB loses about a second every two days. Your mileage may vary….but the Tudor is defiantly more accurate….although nothing compares to the spot on accuracy of my Casio Oceanus….but then that one is digital and gets reset by Bluetooth and atomic clock several time a day. On the other hand my 1941 Gallet multichrone 30m is surprisingly accurate for a watch made before Pearl Harbor…and makes me smile more than anything else in the collection!

[@EagleJim62]

Great review. Seriously looking at the Tudor. Half the price of the Rolex. Can't beat that.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Eagle Jim definitely check one out, they really pop in person. Thanks for checking in.

[@Ferien7]

Eagle Jim you'll just end up selling it for a loss and getting the Rolex. Don't compromise. Rolex is the best.

[@pmolitierno]

Don't own a Rolex, but I am totally happy with my 79230B Tudor. Punches way above it's weight class.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Hard not to love them both, but paralyzed by my ability to choose between the red and black bezel Tudor.

[@andrewwheeler8591]

Get both for the price of the Rolex, sorted! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Markus__B]

Tough Question. Or not. The Bezel and Crown are more appealing on the Sub and the Gold is a bit too much for me on this BB Model. Ceramic Insert over Aluminum without a doubt. But, instead of the Sub you can buy one BB and one Seamaster and still have a Grand to spend on Chicks and Booze. Yap, for my Taste, i´d choose a BB (M79230B) any Day. I just can´t stand the Mercedes Hands. everyone and theit Mom has them these Days.

[@WoodshavenPatriot]

Agree about the hands. Mercedes are copied and used everywhere. The snowflakes are for people in the know.

[@andrewwheeler8591]

Agreed, got my Seamaster blue and the BB Black's on my radar Regards from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@kosflorin]

Your submariner have some back play in the bezel action

[@JustWatchreviews]

No, not really, it was slightly misaligned though

[@ShaunKVideos]

Just Watch, your Sub bezel looks and sounds like it needs repair. There was definitely back play in it and it sounds terrible. I’ve seen fake ones with better bezel action.

[@HorrorGeek13]

@@ShaunKVideos I have to agree... i have never heard a sub bezel sound so bad

[@andrewwheeler8591]

@@JustWatchreviews 😳 a Rolex Seiko then! Nice review 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@joecalandra3169]

I have a newer black Bay and an olde r Rolex. The Tudor out performs the Rolex with respect to time keeping accuracy.

[@StellarBlue1]

I have the red bezel Tudor and I really like it, a lot. It fulfilled my need for a really good diver without having to spend over 5,000 dollars more just to get a Rolex. If I did not like the Tudor with its rose colored hands and vintage look, I would have gone for the Rolex. I paid a very good price for my Tudor, which was very slightly used and almost mint. In my case, a Rolex would have been three times as much. Also, there is no mechanical/automatic watches I know of that are getting better accuracy than I am. I am blown away with the power reserve and accuracy of my Tudor, Black Bay. Would I love to have a Submariner? Duh!

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thanks for checking in! I'm amazed at how many great reports I get from Black Bay owners with the new in house movement, they all seem to be running within a few seconds a week. Amazing!

[@Werwulf333]

Late comment as I just found your channel; I have the Black Bay 79230N and I'm just in love with it. I totally agree with you about the vintage aspect being more "warm". It never ceases to put a smile on my face and I stare at the watch throughout the day. I am also a James Bond fan and that's mainly why I chose the watch. I wish I had a Submariner, but to me personally, the Black Bay looks better as I prefer vintage style, and that's what I get with the Black Bay; 1950s style without the 6538's price tag.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thanks for the comment and agree 100%. I'm hoping to check out the BB58 after the new year, looking forward to that!

[@bevans247]

I have the BB black and the BB Harrods, the black is +2 and the Harrods-1 😁

[@JustWatchreviews]

Ben Evans that’s awesome. Thanks for checking in! 😀

[@rockon21ful]

Pelagos is a nice Tudor watch but I still would rather have a vintage blue Tudor Sub, snowflake hands.... There is really no comparison on these two pieces, just try and resell them and let me know how that worked out for you! The Rolex ( right or wrong) is the choice people want and if need be you can turn a Rolex Sub into cash anywhere in the world! Remember Rolex still owns Tudor or should a say the non profit ( Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private family trust). that owns Rolex owns Tudor too! Older Tudors are so cool but its still a poor man's Rolex Sub even though prices have come way up on both brands!

[@vvvhhhhhbb]

Some people are worried about the resale. Some of us buy a watch because we like it; and do not consider what it will resale for. And if that is a major consideration for you, then you are missing the point of a fine watch.

[@edwinjansen6729]

i hope to get to 50 next year as i was born in 1969. So i was taking a look at the Speedmaster moonwatch , but...... i realy like the Tudors....Blackbay noir , Pelagos black and the LHD ( i am a lefty) so even thinking about an Rolex Oyster Explorer........the submariner (great great watch i know) ever did anything to me (maybe the Seadweller 50th anniversary) so it is very hard for me to get to an conclusion! This great vid from you sir won't help me a lot in choosing but...i realy enjoy your videoś

[@jeremydahm2124]

Nice comparison. Can't argue with the Rolex. Classic and class. That's a given but the Tudor is a different, dare say cooler take on the diver. Retro is always cool. Throwing in a movement that performs like that from a company so closely associated with the biggest brand in the world...I'm in. The accuracy is way more important than the meters in my book.. And the reserve! Cheers.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thanks Jeremy!

[@siamwatchaddict9072]

Since the introduction of the Tudor BB58 ..A Major score for Tudor !!! In a twist of fate.. This release will probably see a decline in Submariner sales ... Bearing in mind The Tudor is almost a sub mariner at a 5th of the price... Additionally The Tudor brand has a lot of street credibility with the masses who do not know Jack about watches.. Tudor are getting the marketing right... I have to confess ,I may be biased slightly as I have just ordered a BB58 .I Always loved the BB from its launch but never pulled it off, on my skinny 6.75inch wrist.. This piece ticks all my boxes, and more..I think its Ironic that this watch may be a direct competitor to Rolex dive watches at a much lower price point .Rolex being the Big Brother ??? And lets not get into the service nightmare with Rolex...Ahh... P.S. The 2018 release of the Tudor GMT will also blow a hole through Rolex GMT 2 Sales..

[@JustWatchreviews]

Tudor definitely hit a home run with the GMT in terms of sales, smart move on their part to release it at the same time as the nearly unobtainable Rolex GMT

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

The design is so ubiquitous now that I feel like I can skip it because I have a Squale 1545. I think for the money there is more value and charm in the Tudor. I am hoping to save enough for one by the end of the year.

[@Hodlshark]

Did you get one ?

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

@@Hodlshark of course I did. And an aquaterra along with a speed master. Also 2 Oris Aquis because I loved them so much.

[@Hodlshark]

Amazing, I also have the Speedmaster, what do you prefer, blackbay vs speedmaster ?

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

@@Hodlshark blackbay because I have a speedy reduced from 1998 and I am always worried about servicing the movement as well as scratching the hesalite crystal or getting it wet because of the low water resistance.

[@bobbysmith3433]

My tudor Black Bay Black is -4 sec a week.

[@JustWatchreviews]

They are awesome. Thanks for the comment!

[@simonrushton4639]

If think you should put the submariner up against a Pelagos ?

[@JustWatchreviews]

Hi Simon, I would love to, do you have one I can review? :-)

[@simonrushton4639]

Just Watch Ha ha I do actually but unfortunately I live in England! I wanted a no date but couldn’t get hold of one, so I tried the Pelagos on and loved it.

[@JustWatchreviews]

I hear great things about the bracelet on the Pelagos!

[@miscaccount9438]

You do know that Tudor is made by rolex, right? Both companies were founded by the same individual. Tudor was created as a more affordable alternative to rolex without too much sacrifice to qualify. It's almost as if you're comparing the Toyota Avalon to the Lexus LS. You basically buy the Tudor if you either can't afford the rolex, or the rolex simply isn't worth to cost to you

[@JustWatchreviews]

TR Willis yes, of course. Tudor began in full on 3/6/46 after Hans Wilsdorf acquired it pre war. The Tudor and Rolex Submariners were developed simultaneously in 1953. The Tudor was released in 1954 though, as Rolex wanted to release their version first.

[@miscaccount9438]

Just Watch I don't mean to sound like a know it all or anything like that, I'm definitely a novice in the watch world. I just found the choice of comparing these two to be unusual as I wouldn't expect there to be many people cross shopping these two models. However that's certainly not to say someone willing to spend on a Tudor couldn't be convinced to save up for a rolex, or vice versa

[@justinh1258]

Do you know whether the hands are 100% for sure actual gold/gold plated? There’s several reviewers when comparing the submariner to the Tudor saying the sub has white gold hands while the Tudor hands are not precious metal. That would be a big negative for me given the price point and name if it’s fake gold.

[@JustWatchreviews]

I checked with my AD and they tell me that the handset is all gold except for the luminous material.

[@justinh1258]

Just Watch great news. There are a few reviewers here that say they aren’t when it’s compared to the submariner, I wonder what brought them to that assumption, maybe just trying to knock it down a few notches so they can say the Rolex is far better.

[@miketsaron7284]

is there any way to ensure that the hands are gold or gold plated? any way to be in contact with tudor?

[@bobbysmith3433]

I did some research and was told by Rolex/Tudor they are 18k gold called Rolex service and they put me in touch with Tudor new goods asked for ref. number and he looked it up while I was on the phone.

[@stormrider01]

My BB GMT runs 0s per week! Better than a lot of Rolex out there.

[@k31rifleman]

Getting both!! Tudor tomorrow and Rolex next week!

[@JustWatchreviews]

That sounds like a great week! Enjoy them and thanks for watching!

[@Nahduge]

The Tudor is the one to wear the heck out of. The Rolex is the one to keep in a box and wear twice a year.

[@jackbear5564]

I have the BB Red which I love. Seriously thinking of getting the new 39mm. Don’t see me needing any other watches. Keep up the good work.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Thanks Jack! I can't wait to check out the BB58. Will have a review on it ASAP

[@AZadeh-nd8vx]

Tbh regardless of price, I think the Tudor wins in every department! (except for not having a micro adjustment on the clasp)

[@WoodshavenPatriot]

I have the BB stainless. The bracelet does have micro adjustment.

[@JustWatchreviews]

If it were just a bit slimmer, that’s my main complaint, it’s well addressed by the BB58 though.

[@AZadeh-nd8vx]

@@WoodshavenPatriot yes but you need a tool to do it. Its not an easy glide lock system like the Pelagos, Sub or Seamaster

[@bobfrombrisbane1831]

Today I tried the Tudor you have, except it had the leather strap. The dial looked great. I wanted the steel bracelet with the hot humid weather we have here in Brisbane. The sales person tried hard for the sale , but in my mind I kept thinking Tudor 58, 58. I really want to see the 58, I will hold out even if I have to wait another six months.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Bob FromBrisbane thanks for checking in Bob, I would guess that there’s a lot of that going on. My AD has a long wait list.

[@bobfrombrisbane1831]

Just Watch the AD said interest in the 58 was strong. They took my details though.

[@alpinestarsssss]

I have tried on the 58. It wears extremely comfortably and the size is perfect. I would wait out for it if I was you. It's essentially a Black Bay made into a perfect form. It will be my second Black Bay purchase.

[@bobfrombrisbane1831]

alpinestarsssss If I can ask how did you manage to see a Tudor 58 in person? Brisbane does have. Rolex / Tudor AD but the reality is Brisbane is a backwater it terms of horological pursuits.

[@alpinestarsssss]

Bob FromBrisbane I was invited to a Tudor event where they had the GMT and 58 to try on. GMT wore like the normal Black Bays and the 58 felt really nice. Everyone who tried on the 58 thought it wore very well.

[@Tony-cm3qj]

Tudor movement is way better, for the price is no brainer.

[@glenroberts8699]

Get them both?that's what I would do!there both cool 😎 why would you have one when you can have 2?

[@JustWatchreviews]

True!

[@tiempodesobrahn]

Congrats on the review. What is the purpose of that black gasket being so visible on the Tudor crown, it does take away from the aesthetics of the watch.

[@JustWatchreviews]

I'm not sure why they did that, maybe just for style. I thought it is interesting that they matched it to the new Black Bay 58 case. Thanks for watching!

[@alanleung3555]

see sub too often in the street, so i like black bay more

[@shlemp5183]

i have both of these watches (tudor bb burgandy), there is no justifying paying 8k for the rolex. tudor is a great brand. my no date runs better than by bb though

[@JustWatchreviews]

Interesting, how are they each running?

[@eldiabolico3750]

StenchLord I also have both watches and the difference is definitely there. It is a ROLEX, unfortunately many people don’t know what Tudor is. Resale value, White Gold applied indices, ceramic bezel, 904L, 100m more water resistance, 120 click bezel, crown guards, glide lock, better finished movement, service every 10 years, etc. Apples to apples please. The B.B. is amazing and really close to the Sub but the later is still the big brother ;)

[@alpinestarsssss]

A few tests have been done and the Tudor movement usually out performs the Rolex.

[@eldiabolico3750]

alpinestarsssss can you show us those tests? I totally believe that the Tudor movement might be fantastic (it should, being under the same roof), it actually has a better power reserve until the Sub gets the updated version like the GMT. However, a watch movement to be proved reliable needs to go through the test of time (no pun intended), sometimes that means over 10 years. Rolex performs dozens of “silent” upgrades to its models over the years.The Tudor in-house movement is still a baby in that aspect.

[@alpinestarsssss]

Konstantinos Anastasiou I will try to find them again. If I do I will reply back. You’re right about it being possibly too new to tell. I’m really curious to see how the brand and movements evolve in the next decade or so. Sorry I do not have any sources to share right now. I hope I can find them again.

[@andyo4462]

Best of 'em is Steinhart Ocean One :))

[@saifa6359]

Just got the no date sub after waiting for it to come in for two months. Looked at the Tudor sold by the same authorized dealer and it felt too much of a wannabe Submariner like the other companies that make “homage” submariners (like Steinhart, etc). I don’t think anyone who can afford and wait for the Submariner will be happy getting the Tudor.

[@JustWatchreviews]

The Black Bay is actually a homage to Tudor's first Submariner, the 7922, with a bit of a twist as they added the snowflake handset from a later model (and of course made it a modern size at 41mm instead of 37mm). Anyways, the 7922 was developed simultaneously with the 6 series Rolex Submariners (in 1953), they were released a year after by request of Rolex. Tudor has some good info on their website if you want to know more.

[@saifa6359]

I see. I think Tudor in their own right is a great watch and great watch company. Lately, I just feel like they've been being marketed as a Rolex alternative, especially since they released their own style pepsi gmt when Rolex released the pepsi jubiliee gmt. I like their Heritage Chrono and Tudor 1926 line.

[@thewerewolf358]

Are you aware of the fact that Tudor is Rolex? I think however in this pricerange it ain't a problem for the buyer to save a bit more and buy the 114060, in fact Rolex and TUDOR are not super high end timepieces like a Nautilus for example and are within reach for every normal working man.. And even for the ones that don't work, so i think it doesnt make sense. But i choose the Submariner aswell, i own it and obviously it is the cooler watch anywayssss

[@saifa6359]

The werewolf Tudor is NOT Rolex. Being founded by and owned by Rolex doesn’t make you Rolex lol. They use ETA movements and have enough differences to warrant the price difference. Tudor people say that to make themselves feel that their watch is a “Rolex” without actually being a Rolex. That’s like someone saying Volkswagen is a Bentley.......it’s not. Close, but not exactly.

[@thewerewolf358]

Ah i see what you mean, i do not own any Tudor but i do own a couple of Rolexes… I also mentioned that there are some piss-stupid Tudor owners that are Always angry on Rolex owners, but the price difference is just about half so i do not see why they buy a Tudor instead of a Rolex for this unsignificant price difference. Anyway…. Tudor is offcourse a part of Rolex and indeed the price difference is Obvious. Quality of the Rolexes is better, simple is that. But i won't call the blackbay a ripoff like something similar to a Steinhart and nearly all other brands available lol.. They where still able to create a own identity apart from their other brand, only says how dammm strong designers they must have. I like Tudors a lot,, i like the new GMT more than the new BLRO in fact. It has a better toolwatch-look. Perhaps i would ever buy a Tudor as an addition but i am not sure about

[@billcore6295]

Neither, Seiko makes a better dive watch

[@SM-wi1js]

Discussing bang for the buck watches would be interested in your view on the SS Grand Seiko Chronograph GMT.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Steve GenevaFan I’d love to check one out, it’s a really cool watch. Hopefully down the road!

[@persianwingman]

“Both watches have been around for five plus decades” - wasn’t the Black Bay introduced in 2012?

[@JustWatchreviews]

Yes, I was referring to Tudor dive watches in general. This version of the Black Bay bears a striking resemblance to the early Tudor dive watches.

[@Spiederia]

A more accurate review could be done between the Black Bay 58, and the Submariner.

[@JustWatchreviews]

They weren't available when I did this review. I wouldn't mind going back and comparing them though!

[@MrAdacon]

Bad comparison. Shoulder Tudor Pelagos LHD

[@alpinestarsssss]

That competes more with the Sea Dweller. Not that they really "compete" with each other...

[@johnmoore5561]

Best Swiss dive watch.....Omega Seamaster, James Bond got rid of his Rolex and got an Omega. Lol

[@JustWatchreviews]

John Moore 😂😂😂

[@arghjayem]

Yes but in the books he wears a Rolex, not specifically a diver, Fleming just says a Rolex. Fleming himself wore a Rolex explorer and as Bond is in many ways an extension of Fleming as a character, it makes sense they’d don similar time pieces.

[@roll0ndis]

bought my dad a seamaster. loves it to bit. along with his 4 subs