First Impressions | Tudor Black Bay Pro Opaline dial M79470-0004

Alvin
May 1
3 min read

Well, well, well...this then, is what happened at the AD at the last visit. The 2025 Black Bay Pro Opaline dial burst onto the scene at watches and wonders, where Tudor had a few decent offerings, and some controversial ones, this BB Pro fell into both categories. That is because, though this has had a refresh, giving it a more modern feel, it retained the main problem with the black dial released a couple of years ago, the thickness - a jumbo 14.6mm!

However, I wanted to see it for myself, actually I wanted to see the new Black Bay Burgundy dial aka the Cherry Bomb, and they didn't have that - it's too similar to the red bezel to have considered buying it (he says) but I did want to see it in the flesh.

I wasn't particularly familiar with the black dial version of this watch, it was never on my radar other than the fuss about how thick it was, it was potentially that negative perception on the interwebs that stopped me looking at it. Though now I have had a good look, it's decent but I'm not a fan of fautina and it's a bit flat. The Opaline dial though is fresh and has a nice pop to it, the size of the case is 39mm with a lug to lug of around 47mm which it much more wearable for me (than the Explorer II at 42mm + 49.5mm), while still being a bold, adventurers watch. I was immediately attracted to this, and I hadn't expected to be so taken, neither was I looking to buy - same old story isn't it!

As I've mentioned everywhere, the skinny wrist isn't getting any bigger and the Rolex Explorer II seems a bit big for it some days, the Milgauss still calls me and prices have dropped for that making me wonder if I should trade up. The BB Pro encourages that train of thought as it's the same kind of watch, an outdoorsy, adventurers GMT, date, and it actually has 200m/660ft water resistance (to the ExII's 100m/330ft), not that I'm going diving, but I might take a dip in the sea one of these days. They both have the same type of true GMT function and 70 hours power reserve.

The Tudor is missing one thing, the coloured text on the dial that matches the GMT hand is one of my favourite features of the Rolex and though it is on the black dial BB Pro it isn't on the Opaline. This might be due to the lack of contrast but they could have lined the text in black to make it work. A missed opportunity there I think. Anyway it is a battle between these two, I'm not sure which way it will go yet, quite the first world problem I have there!

There are some great details on this, the refraction of the domed glass creates some interesting moments, the steel is quite bright which plays with the dial nicely, and the dial when it catches the sun looks takes a very silvery tone and pops!

The faux rivets on the bracelet are a nice touch. The bracelet has loosened up, though it did feel a bit janky and noisy out of the box which isn't a great look. I do love the big, aggressive, spiky crown with the Tudor rose.

After a few days on the wrist, the thickness is not a big deal. The skinny wrist is used to big watches, but I am scared of smacking it into a door, same as when I wear any watch to be fair but the girth might make it slightly more susceptible!

I am happy with this watch, oh and I got a deal at the AD, wow a discount off retail for a new watch release, I feel special now! Let's see how it goes once the honeymoon period is over! I have posted a few vids to YouTube if you want to check it out in more detail and get a feel for the dimensions - links below!

Thanks for stopping by!

Yours Opaleaningly

Alvin