Tudor Launches The Black Bay ‘Bumblebee’ Chrono 39, In A New Thinner Case
The new Bumblebee chronograph is thinner, with a classic diameter, and a summer-yellow dial.
Today Tudor’s announced the latest watch in its popular collection of Black Bay chronographs. The new model is the Chrono 39 Bumblebee, with an eye catching bright yellow dial, and with the manufacture chronograph caliber MT5813. Notably, the watch comes with a new case, 39mm x 13.1mm, compared to 41mm x 14.4mm for previous models.
The Black Bay Chrono 39 Bumblebee has all the features found in previous models, including screw-down pushers, a 200 meter water resistance rating, and screw down crown; the case is stainless steel with an anodized aluminum bezel insert. The thinner case broadens the appeal of the model and makes what was already a great go-anywhere-do-anything watch even more versatile.
As with other Tudor Black Bay chronographs, the Bumblebee should have excellent visibility at night (or underwater; though it’s not a dive watch the 200M water resistance ought to make immersion no problem) thanks to the design of the snowflake style hands and the large lume plots.
The movement is a very tough piece of modern watchmaking – it’s the same caliber (with some modifcations) used by Breitling as the caliber B01. It’s a two register chronograph, with small seconds at 9:00 and elapsed minutes at 3:00, column wheel controlled and with a vertical clutch. As the MT5813, it’s fitted with a non-magnetic silicon balance spring, and has a freesprung balance with adjustable rim weights, for long term reliable accuracy.
While the movement is certified as a chronometer by the COSC, which guarantees a daily variation in rate of -4/+6 seconds per day, the movement is further adjusted in-house at Tudor, to -2/+4 seconds per day. Although not a METAS Master Chronometer, the Chrono 39 should still offer excellent resistance to accidental exposure to magnetic fields.
I think the new case size is an obvious win for Tudor. The 41mm x 14.4mm case absolutely has its own broad-shouldered, assertive appeal, but at 39mm x 13.1mm, Tudor’s now got a very tough, visually electric, and very classically proportioned Black Bay chrono in its lineup.
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 ‘Bumblebee: case, stainless steel, 39mm x 13.1mm, 47mm lug to lug; fixed bezel with anodized aluminum insert, with tachymeter scale; sapphire crystal; water resistance 200M. Movement, Tudor manufacture caliber MT5813 with chronograph, self-winding with tungsten oscillating mass; chronometer certified (-4/+6 seconds per day)by the COSC and adjusted at Tudor to -2/+4 seconds per day; movement based on the Breitling caliber B01, with silicon balance spring, freesprung with adjustable mass balance; running at 28,800 vph in 41 jewels; 30.4mm x 7.23mm. Steel bracelet with T-Fit clasp.
US price at launch, $6725.
The 1916 Company is proud to be an authorized retailer for Tudor watches. For pricing and availability for the Black Bay 39 Bumblebee Chronograph, please contact us.