Always listen to your wife. If she suggests changing authorized dealers, you change. If I’d listened to her this article may have arrived much sooner.
I finally have my Tudor Black Bay 54!
Would it have been better if I had received my new watch the last summer or autumn? I am tempted to say no. Even though I would most probably value the watch the same as I do now. The fact that I waited for ten months and did not fall for the temptation to buy something else, may have added to the value that I currently put on it.
So the story goes like this. Last year in April during Watches and Wonders Tudor released a couple of new watches. Among them was this vintage-looking dive watch. The name of this watch is Tudor Black Bay 54. You would be forgiven to think that the 54 refers to the size, but surprisingly it does not. “In 1954, the reference 7922 was released, today the Black Bay 54 recalls this model with a 37mm case and a Manufacture Calibre”. As per Tudor’s website: “The Black Bay 54 is the most true-to-form example of TUDOR’s first dive watch, the reference 7922. The 37mm case retains the classic proportions of yesteryear yet boasts the technical prowess of TUDOR’s time-only Manufacture Calibre MT5400 and a 200m depth rating.” In a world currently dominated by big watches ranging from 40 to 45mm, this 37mm model seemed special.
As you may remember from my early articles about Roamer and Seiko, I like to mark significant life events with watches. My fabulous wife gifted me my Roamer for my 30th birthday and my parents surprised me with a Seiko for my Master’s graduation. Therefore it may come as no surprise that I wanted to buy a watch to mark my current job at the European Parliament. Considering how hard it was to get here and how badly I wanted to work here, a major watch was needed. However, I also did not want to blow my budget. Luckily, Tudor is the best value-for-money brand in the world. Considering that Tudor’s big brother is “the Crown”, it may be hard to argue with that statement. Unless you are a lone fan of microbrand watch companies. Thus once I knew that my first contract was to be extended and after seeing pictures of this new Black Bay 54, I had to look for a way to get it. Or at least to see it in real life.
The first place I went to was Maison de Greef in Brussels. Why? I like walking through the center of Brussels, and I noticed that this place is an authorized dealer of Tudor watches. With encouragement from my wife, we went to the shop. We were warmly welcomed, seated in leather chairs, and offered a delicious espresso. The salesman asked why I wanted to buy this watch, what is my current experience with watches and why this particular model. During our visit, the shop had a blue Black Bay 58 available. Knowing that my favorite color is blue I had to see the watch in person at least and try it on. I liked it. The size is roughly the same as for all of my current watches, it is blue and I almost pulled the trigger. But I wanted to compare it with the Black Bay 54. I went to that particular shop to put my name on the waiting list for a Black Bay 54. If intend to buy another watch, I owe the 54 to at least see it in person before discarding it.
Roughly two weeks after my visit Maison de Greef organized a presentation for Tudor’s latest models. Among them the Black Bay 54. And that was it. I saw it, I tried it on and I fell in love. Even though I was still tempted by the blue Black Bay 58, my heart and soul craved the 54. Thus the wait began. Two months passed, then four, and then I found the salesman on LinkedIn and invited him to connect with a message about my watch. To which he politely responded by looking into the waiting list. Six months passed. In December I finally took my wife’s advice and looked for a different dealer in Brussels. Please note that I enquired about the watch also in Luxembourg City, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Antwerp. All of these places did not have the watch and some of them had not even seen it. Luckily, Brussels also had a place called the “Hall of Time”.
To the “Hall of Time,” my wife and I went right after our Animo sports session with our gym bags. Thus it is safe to say that we may not have looked like people who would be on the market for a luxury watch. Concerning the “Hall of Time”, they let us in and permitted us to ask about the Tudor Black Bay 54. I told about my experience with Maison de Greef and why I wanted to buy this model. And the salesperson did something remarkable. He did not push me out, he did not lie about a massive waiting list, instead, he offered to make an official order to Tudor. If I paid half of the price. I considered maybe for two minutes before agreeing. After making the payment the salesperson explained that the watch may arrive until April or July. At least now I had a solid timetable, I already put down some money for the watch and I felt that I would finally have it. I had to wait for only two months.
Hard to explain the joy you get when a long-awaited email comes. The feeling was similar to the job offer I received to return to the European Parliament. It was a mixture of happiness and disbelief. Also, there was a slight fear. There was fear because I may not like it anymore. Since May was the last time I saw the watch in person. More than half a year ago. I put the watch on my phone’s screen, watched YouTube videos, and read many blog articles about this timepiece. All to see whether I would not get bored of it. But what if the love would not be there when I held the Black Bay 54? That was a real concern while sitting in the tram going to the “Hall of Time”. However, once I entered the shop and the wonderful salesperson handed me the watch, all my doubts disappeared. I felt the connection.
This watch represents hard work. It is a testament not only to my journey to the European Parliament but to the most wonderful woman who stands beside me as well. I started by wanting this watch to mark my job at the EU institution; however, now it also marks my marriage. Thus whenever I look at my wrist I see not only the European Parliament, my colleagues, and my adventures at work, but also my fabulous wife. Fun fact, she now has two watches that make me think of her.
Tudor Black Bay 54 is a remarkable watch. As you see in these pictures it is significantly smaller than the two others. The crown will hopefully not scratch my hand too much like the others. The weight of the Black Bay 54 is comfortable, the T-Fit clasp is handy and easy to use. These first days have been a real honeymoon. Luckily, the watch does not seem out of place, meaning, it feels like this watch was meant to be on my wrist. It does not feel like new or like something recently acquired. It feels right.
The salesperson at “Hall of Time” mentioned that the case and the bracelet may scratch (steel case and bracelet). I did not see that as a problem. These tool watches are meant to be worn, they are meant to get scratched and bruised. I will wear those scratches with pride. But that is not to say I will not shed a tear after the first scratch.
The moral of this story: listen to your wife. #borntodare
Kindly,
Olaaf
