We don’t get hate mail often at Fratello Watches, but we did get it when I wrote an article about the 1978 Seiko 7549 Golden Tuna. I was awfully enthusiastic about it – and still am – but there were those who felt the need to share some vitriol related to my love for a watch with a battery. However, when it comes to mechanical movements, I find the pas cher cartier Montres conversation shifts entirely. Today, I want to talk about a timepiece that embodies everything I love about horology: the Discount Tudor Black Bay S G 41mm Stainless Steel M79733N-0008. This watch is not just a tool; it’s a statement of character, history, and craftsmanship. And for those who dismiss quartz, the mechanical Tudor Black Bay offers the daily interaction and soul that only a winding crown can provide.
If you’re still here, good – because we’re not going to discuss any old watch. We’ll delve into the Tudor Black Bay series, specifically the Discount Tudor Black Bay S G 41mm Stainless Steel M79733N-0008. This piece is one of the brand’s most desirable modern-vintage creations. It may sound funny to praise a watch from a company known for its robust Rolex heritage, but the Black Bay line has become a collector’s dream. When you ask Tudor enthusiasts about the top pieces they’d like to own, a host of divers, chronographs, and Heritage models will certainly make the list, but the Black Bay S G almost always finds its way in there. The funny thing is, unless you’re a pure eccentric chasing rare mechanical marvels, this Tudor often becomes the only steel diver that truly matters.
There’s a reason for this, and it’s not just the reliable in-house movement. The watch is undeniably attractive, and no matter what makes it tick, I find it to be one of the best-looking divers ever placed on our planet. For sure, as a mechanical diver with a rich lineage, the Tudor Black Bay S G and any one of its multitude of variants has a place in history. Introduced in the early 2010s as a revival of the brand’s iconic 1950s divers, the Black Bay quickly became a game-changer. It brought vintage refinement along with modern accuracy. It measures elapsed time with a unidirectional bezel, and the iconic snowflake hand flies around with precision when the crown is wound. Oh, and this isn’t a throwaway watch. The movement can be serviced and oiled, proving that these watches are little organisms with gears and springs inside, not just quartz modules.
The Discount Tudor Black Bay S G 41mm Stainless Steel M79733N-0008 seems to soldier on as a timeless classic. Here, we take a look at this specific reference – the 41mm stainless steel variant with a black dial and a steel bracelet. It’s a far more purpose-built piece for divers and everyday wear. Nonetheless, collectors have taken notice Tudor Black Bay S G 41mm review of its credibility, and whether you’re looking for a Black Bay 58, 36, or the wilder models with bronze cases, prices have crept up – especially for the sportier steel models. So why, perhaps along with the ultra-rare Tudor Pelagos or the Heritage Chrono, does the Discount Tudor Black Bay S G represent the cream of the crop?
As mentioned, love for this watch really comes down to its looks. Introduced at a competitive price point and built for years (based on my research, the Black Bay line continues to evolve), the S G variant is fitted with a brushed and polished stainless steel case in 41mm with 20mm lugs (thank you Tudor for making it easy – for once). Its case contains some reasonably complex chamfering on its sides that slope inward to meet a polished bezel. These slender, end-curved, stick lugs simply stick out of the case rolex fausse and end up being a wonderfully simple design that evokes 1950s dive watches. Tudor employed a seriously wide variety of bezels and dials on the Black Bay series, and the bulk were paired with an even more dizzying array of bracelets. With the Discount Tudor Black Bay S G 41mm Stainless Steel M79733N-0008, though, there’s only one other variant that used its case – the rare, black PVD-coated model. The fact that this case was essentially reserved for the S G makes it all the more special in my eyes.
Aside from the case, a special detail on this Tudor is its crown. Likely chosen for its tactical usefulness, the watch contains a massive screw-down crown with the Tudor rose emblem. For diving, I can imagine that the bezel and crown would be the two most used functions on the watch, so it makes sense that these are oversized. Some say this gives the watch a tool-like look, but that wouldn’t have come to my mind unless I’d read it. No, I find the Tudor to be wonderfully balanced and very instrument-like. The fact that these big crowns are added to a very slim case exaggerates the view further. Again, great stuff from Tudor.
And then there’s the dial. If the other design features on this Tudor are at least notable, then the dial is the real standout. If you listed all its detail attributes, you wouldn’t come up with many. In fact, if it weren’t for that wonderful burst of color that defines the red triangle on the bezel, you could characterize the watch as plain. But that triangle, combined with the snowflake hand, adds just enough color to make this piece a real looker. The only other notable insertion of color is the use of beige lume plots against the black dial. Otherwise, Tudor used white printing and chose a black inner bezel with a minutes track. Applied, polished indices are found at most indices with lume on the outsides. Thick black hands with lume inside show the time, and an incredibly slender needle hand with a lumed arrow tip counts off the seconds. A look at the screw-down case back shows us the Tudor shield logo in a matte finish. A quick look at the manual tells us this watch is water resistant to 200 meters. That likely makes it fine for serious diving or heavy water sports. We also see the model number and serial number. Speaking of ownership, I bought this Discount Tudor Black Bay S G 41mm Stainless Steel M79733N-0008 from a trusted dealer about a year ago. I had found the watch online and a couple days later, I attended a watch meetup in London and actually got to handle one of these for the first time. The hands-on experience confirmed that buying the watch had been a good choice. When I bought mine, it came as a full set with box and papers, and the sapphire crystal was pristine. The watch kept perfect time, and all functions worked flawlessly. Thankfully, as mentioned, the movement can be fixed if needed. When I’m looking at this Tudor on my arm, it presents beautifully. It looks great on a variety of straps – I like this rugged NATO strap – and the watch looks great on the wrist. It’s under 13mm thick and feels substantial yet comfortable. The condition overall is really nice, and a closer look shows no flaws. It doesn’t bother me, though, as the Black Bay is rare in some configurations. In fact, I’d bet that less than a handful of discounted vintage-style Tudor Black Bays come up for sale each year – and I’m relatively confident in saying this as I track them semi-seriously.
I remember 3-4 years ago, a Tudor Black Bay would set one back about $2,500, and that was a ton of money for a steel diver. Today, I’d guess that decent pieces start at Replica Tudor around $3,500 and go up to the $5,000 mark. The fact that some Black Bays can still be had for $2,000 or so gives you an idea how beloved these watches are to collectors.
Now, let’s talk about authenticity. In the world of watches, there are many replicas that mimic the design of the Tudor Black Bay. While these fakes may look similar from a distance, they lack the precision engineering, the quality of materials, and the heritage that comes with a genuine Tudor. However, some may argue that a high-quality replica offers the same aesthetic at a fraction of the cost. Indeed, for those on a budget, a replica can provide a similar visual appeal, and many modern reps are surprisingly accurate. If you’re purely looking for a stylish accessory without the investment, a replica discount Tudor Black Bay M79733N-0008 has its advantages: you get the look without worrying about scratches or theft. But for a true collector, the genuine Discount Tudor Black Bay S G 41mm Stainless Steel M79733N-0008 is the only way to go. Its in-house movement, sapphire crystal, and robust build offer a lifetime of service. The resale value of a genuine Tudor is far superior, and the pride of ownership is unmatched. If I haven’t convinced you to take an interest in this mechanical watch, hopefully you can admire its looks and unique design characteristics. For me, this piece will definitely share time with my other gems.