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The Tudor Black Bay 79220N is an early, 41 mm Heritage Black Bay with a black dial, black bezel and an ETA 2824-family automatic movement. Its “revitalising energy” comes from how Tudor recomposed details from its dive-watch history—rather than reproducing one vintage watch—in a contemporary design. The result is a useful reference for understanding the Black Bay’s original identity and the movement-generation change that followed in 2016.
What is the Tudor Black Bay 79220N?
The 79220N is the black version of the early Tudor Heritage Black Bay: a 41 mm steel watch with a black dial and bezel. Sotheby’s documented a circa-2016 example with an automatic calibre 2824, screw-down crown and case back. On this earlier configuration, the Tudor Rose appears at 12 o’clock and curved text sits at 6 o’clock, a layout collectors often call the “smiley” dial. Sotheby’s lot record is a description of one watch, not a guarantee that every example has the same accessories or condition.
MyWatchSite lists the reference as discontinued and gives a Tudor 2824 movement, 200 m water resistance and approximately 38 hours of power reserve. It also describes aged-leather and additional fabric-strap configurations. Strap and bracelet contents vary by example, so use the watch’s papers, photographs and seller’s description to establish what is actually included. MyWatchSite’s 79220N listing
How Tudor’s history shaped the Black Bay
Tudor dates its dive-watch story to 1954 and reference 7922. In the Heritage Black Bay, the company says it drew on several earlier design cues: the general lines and domed dial and crystal of early Tudor divers; the prominent crown of the 1958 reference 7924, nicknamed the “Big Crown”; and snowflake hands associated with watches supplied in quantity to the French National Navy in the 1970s. Tudor also identifies the black model’s red bezel triangle as a detail inspired by its 1950s dive watches. These are design references, not a claim that the 79220N is a replica of any single historical model. Tudor’s history and Heritage Black Bay material
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- VERIFY YOUR WATCH MODEL & MEASURE THE CORRECT SIZE USING A RULER – Watch Parts Are Model and Size Specific. Please Verify Compatibility Before Purchasing.
- Compatibility & Size: 18mm Oyster Watch Band Link, compatible with Tudor Black Bay 70330B, 79220N, 70330, 79220, 79540.
- Ensure Perfect Fit: Verify the size, color, and model compatibility with your specific watch before purchasing to ensure a perfect fit and avoid returns or exchanges.
- Compatibility Check: Double-check your watch's requirements and compatibility details to ensure the product meets your needs. This will help you avoid any issues with returns or exchanges.
- Aftermarket Product: This is an aftermarket/generic made to original factory specs for a precise fit.
The combination makes the watch’s character particularly legible: an oversized crown, snowflake hands, black bezel with red triangle, rose logo and curved lower-dial lettering sit together without making the watch an exact reissue. Tudor described the Heritage line as bringing historical aesthetic codes into contemporary timepieces. The original Heritage Black Bay was presented in 2012, and Tudor says it received recognition from the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève jury in 2013.
What changed with the 2016 Black Bay update?
The 79220N belongs to the earlier ETA-movement generation. Sotheby’s identifies its movement as an automatic 2824 with 25 jewels and notes that the early Black Bay used ETA 2824. For the 2016 update, Tudor introduced an in-house movement and changed the dial configuration, replacing the earlier setup. Tudor’s press material describes the updated watch as using a mechanical movement developed, manufactured and assembled in-house. Tudor’s 2016 Heritage Black Bay press material
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- 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
The published power-reserve figures illustrate the specification difference between generations, but they are not a controlled real-world performance comparison.
| Generation | Movement | Published power reserve | Other distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79220N, earlier generation | Tudor 2824 / automatic calibre 2824 family | Approximately 38 hours, as listed by MyWatchSite | Rose logo and curved lower-dial text on the earlier configuration |
| 2016 updated Heritage Black Bay | Tudor MT5602, in-house and COSC-certified | About 70 hours, according to Tudor | Updated movement and dial configuration |
The sources establish the transition, but not an exact production duration or unit count for the 79220N. Tudor’s own framing is that Heritage watches translate historical codes rather than simply re-release an identical classic.
What does a 79220N cost?
WatchCharts labels the reference discontinued and reported a pre-owned estimate of $3,358 as of October 6, 2026. The same source lists an approximate retail price of $3,300 as of June 2023. Those are dated WatchCharts figures, not live offers, guaranteed sale prices or promises of resale value. Its estimate process accounts for factors including condition, whether the watch is sold with its original box and papers or watch-only, and region. WatchCharts 79220N overview
A Sotheby’s record for one particular lot carried an estimate of £2,000–£3,000. That is a historical auction estimate for that lot, not a current market valuation or a directly comparable price. Any asking price should be assessed against the specific watch’s condition, completeness, provenance and location.
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- Tudor Black Bay Ceramic Automatic Black Dial Men's Watch M79210CNU-0001
What to check before buying one
A reference number narrows the search, but it does not establish that a particular listing is authentic, original or in good condition. Compare the watch itself with its documentation and ask the seller for clear, current photographs and service details.
- Reference and movement: Confirm the reference and the movement claimed by the seller; distinguish the earlier 2824-family generation from the 2016 in-house update.
- Dial and bezel: Check the stated configuration against close-up photographs, including the logo, lower-dial lettering, hands and bezel.
- Condition and originality: Ask about polishing, replaced parts, damage and any other work. A photograph or reference number alone does not establish originality.
- Service history: Request dates and documentation for servicing or repairs rather than assuming a watch has been maintained.
- Bracelet, strap and included parts: Verify what is included, including links and accessories. A Sotheby’s example recorded an approximately 195 mm bracelet circumference for that individual lot; it is not a universal wrist-fit specification.
- Box, papers and provenance: Establish which items are present and whether details match the watch. Completeness is one of the factors WatchCharts distinguishes in its estimates.
- Seller safeguards: Check how the seller authenticates the watch, what return terms apply, and whether the listing’s price and condition basis are clear.
Choosing a replacement strap
WatchCharts lists a 22 mm lug width for the reference, which can help narrow a strap search. Tudor documented bracelet, aged-leather and fabric strap configurations for the Heritage Black Bay. A nominal 22 mm width is only a starting point: confirm the exact watch’s configuration, end-link geometry and spring-bar fit before ordering. WatchCharts reference details and Tudor’s 2016 press material
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- Compatible with Tudor 20mm Band: Replacement for Black Bay 68 Black Bay 58 GMT Black Bay Gold Silver & Ranger 39mm models. M79030 M79950 M79012 M79018 M7939G watch band.
- Band Width: 20mm.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
