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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →At Baselworld 2018, Tudor launched the Black Bay GMT, reference 79830RB—its first Black Bay with a GMT function—while Rolex introduced a steel GMT-Master II with a red-and-blue bezel. The releases put two steel watches with familiar “Pepsi” colorways in the same spotlight, but the verified specifications differ in detail and depth.
What was new about the Tudor Black Bay GMT?
Tudor’s 2018 press material describes the Black Bay GMT as the first Black Bay model with a GMT function. Its red snowflake-shaped GMT hand points to a second time zone on the bidirectional 24-hour bezel. Tudor says the bezel can help the wearer keep track of two other time zones alongside local time.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Tudor Heritage Black Bay GMT Stainless Steel Automatic Mens Watch M79830RB-0001 | $4,650.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Tudor GMT 58 Black Bay | $5,449.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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TUDOR Black Bay 58 GMT | $5,550.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Tudor Black Bay Automatic Black Dial GMT Pepsi Bezel Men's Watch 79830RB-0002 | $4,900.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Tudor Black Bay Automatic Chronometer Black Dial Men's Watch M79833MN-0001 | $7,499.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The launch watch was reference 79830RB. Its bezel disc is anodised aluminium, colored burgundy and blue. “Pepsi” is a common shorthand for a red-and-blue bezel pairing, but Tudor’s own description is burgundy and blue; it should not be confused with the ceramic bezel reported for Rolex’s watch.
Tudor Black Bay GMT 79830RB: launch specifications
| Specification | 2018 launch detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 41 mm steel |
| Bezel | Bidirectional 24-hour bezel with burgundy-and-blue anodised aluminium disc |
| Water resistance | 200 m (660 ft) |
| Movement | Tudor Manufacture Calibre MT5652; COSC chronometer-certified |
| Power reserve | Approximately 70 hours |
| Launch configurations | Riveted steel bracelet, brown leather strap, or black fabric strap with burgundy band |
These are specifications in Tudor’s 2018 press material, not a comparison of later Black Bay GMT versions.
#1 Best Overall
- 41mm steel case with polished and satin finish
- Bidirectional rotatable bezel in steel with 24-hour graduated anodised aluminium disc
- Self-winding mechanical movement with 70 hour power reserve
How did the 2018 Tudor and Rolex steel GMTs differ?
The clearest supported contrast is the bezel construction: Tudor specified an anodised aluminium disc, while contemporaneous coverage described Rolex’s steel GMT-Master II with a red-and-blue ceramic bezel. The available sources do not establish a like-for-like set of Rolex case, water-resistance, bracelet, or reserve figures, so those are not presented as a full specification comparison.
| Comparison point | Tudor Black Bay GMT 79830RB | Rolex GMT-Master II, Baselworld 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Bezel color and material | Burgundy and blue anodised aluminium disc; bidirectional 24-hour bezel | Red-and-blue ceramic bezel, as described by contemporaneous coverage |
| Case diameter | 41 mm, per Tudor’s 2018 press material | Not stated in the accessible sources for this specific 2018 release |
| Water resistance | 200 m (660 ft), per Tudor’s 2018 press material | Not stated in the accessible sources for this specific 2018 release |
| Movement and reserve | Calibre MT5652; COSC-certified; approximately 70 hours, per Tudor | Contemporaneous Rolex brochure search-result text identifies calibre 3285 as new for the 2018 GMT-Master II; the brochure itself was not accessible, and a reserve figure is not stated in the accessible sources |
| Bracelet or strap choices at launch | Riveted steel bracelet, brown leather strap, or black fabric strap with burgundy band | Not stated in the accessible sources for this specific 2018 release |
The qualification on the Rolex movement matters: the Rolex family overview explains the GMT-Master II’s function, but it is current family-level information, not a complete specification sheet for the Baselworld 2018 steel model. The 2018 brochure search result mentions calibre 3285, but the linked brochure could not be opened for direct verification.
Rank #2
- Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT "Coke" Automatic 39mm Black Dial Men's Watch M7939G1A0NRU-0001
How does the GMT function work?
On the Tudor, the red GMT hand reads a second time zone against the 24-hour bezel. The bezel turns in either direction, allowing the displayed offset to be adjusted. Tudor’s launch description says this arrangement lets the wearer keep sight of two other time zones in addition to local time.
Rolex’s current family explanation describes a related practical setup: the 24-hour hand is read against the rotatable bezel, while the local hour hand can be set independently. That is useful for understanding the GMT-Master II family, but it should not be mistaken for a complete account of the 2018 release’s specifications.
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- Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT "Coke" Automatic Black Dial Men's Watch M7939G1A0NRU-0002
Why were the watches presented together at Baselworld?
Time+Tide’s contemporaneous 21 March 2018 report framed the releases as steel GMT watches from Tudor and Rolex occupying different price segments. It reproduced Tudor’s explanation: “In 2018 Rolex and Tudor are offering two unique GMT watches in stainless steel in two different price segments, highlighting the group’s legitimacy and its expertise in the field of GMT watches.” The article attributes the wording to Tudor, but does not identify an individual speaker.
The releases shared a steel case and the recognizable red-and-blue bezel treatment, but the evidence supports a more restrained comparison than a complete spec or price face-off: Tudor’s launch details are available from its official press sheet, while the Rolex brochure could not be inspected. Specific Rolex launch pricing and a verified side-by-side specification set are therefore not established here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G Automatic Chronometer Black Dial Men's Watch M79833MN-0001
Rank #4
- Tudor Black Bay Automatic Black Dial GMT Pepsi Bezel Men's Watch 79830RB-0002
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