The Tudor Black Bay Ceramic 'Blue' Is Real – Here's What You Need To Know

Back in February of this year, shortly after Tudor became a sponsor of the Visa Cash App RB Racing Team, driver Daniel Ricciardo was spotted wearing a curious blue dial Tudor Black Bay Ceramic – a watch that up to that point had not existed. It was a very “Daniel Craig wearing a white pre-release Speedmaster to Planet Omega in New York” moment. As it turns out, this watch became the standard timepiece in the paddock for both drivers Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda. But the story sort of ended there and we were left to figure that this was just a racing watch…not for public consumption.

That is, until this morning, when Tudor let it be known that the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic “Blue” is now a very real thing that us very real people can very truly own. And now we have a lot more images of the watch to boot.

In light of the fact that Ricciardo somewhat spoiled this launch back in February, there is not much to say that isn’t known. And similar to the white Speedmaster, we are effectively talking about a dial change here. But nonetheless, let’s get into this one.

The watch takes the form of the 2021 Black Bay Ceramic release which, at the time, boasted an all-black-everything design motif from the ceramic case to the dial to the strap. The BB Ceramic comes in at 41mm with a case thickness of 14.4mm. It features the METAS-certified master chronometer MT5602-U1. What is significant about that movement is that the original BB Ceramic was the watch to debut Tudor’s foray into METAS master chronometry.

But of course, this release is less about what we know in the past, and more about this new dial. While Tudor simply describes the dial as “blue,” I can’t help but call it one of the more striking blues to adorn a tool or a sports watch in some time. It is not done in a sunray finish and looks almost flat – borderline matte (though I’ll report back once I see it in person) – which allows the actual hue to really work against the black of the case and bezel. It honestly looks similar, if not a bit punchier, than the blue dial on the now-discontinued blue dial (non-diver) Black Bay. Let me know in the comments if you agree.

In addition to the matte ceramic case, the bezel insert is also ceramic with a satin finish. The entire ensemble is paired with two strap options that each compliment the dial. It comes equipped with a hybrid leather and rubber strap with blue stitching and folding clasp in black PVD-treated 316L steel. In throwback Tudor fashion, it also comes with a complimentary fabric strap with central blue stitching. Both options are great, and I am sure am glad to see Tudor offering both with this watch.

No doubt, the story here is centered around the Formula 1 racing component to this partnership and this release. But I have learned over the years that, if the watch looks good independent of the association, then we should judge it on its merits alone. I say that somewhat in jest considering that F1 is one of the most popular sports on the planet, but it still gets to my point that F1 or no F1, this blue dial BB Ceramic is a looker and deserves to be in the lineup.

Is 41mm on the larger size? Sure, but it is also the diameter of the archetypal, original, Tudor Black Bay. I would also argue that the black case and black bezel insert help to minimize some of the sizing concerns. Additionally, this comes in at $5,150 – the same price as the original Black Bay Ceramic which speaks to Tudor’s typical good work in providing value and not raising prices for the sake of it. At this price you are getting a lot in terms of that matte ceramic case, that satin ceramic bezel, the METAS caliber, and a dial unlike any in its class.

So a mystery watch has now been made available to all of us. Let me know below, what do you think of the new, blue, Tudor Black Bay Ceramic?