The Diamond Ace: Beckham's One-of-a-Kind Tudor Black Bay Chrono Steals Wimbledon

In between the thunderous roar of the crowds within the lush green courts of Wimbledon, there is a palpable silence behind each serve. Memorable moments, where emotional triumphs turn to heartbreaking losses in the blink of an eye, are all played out under the watchful eyes of the spectators, many of whom share a love of watches with the athletes they come to support. The Royal Box is often the place to spot a celebrity or member of the Royal family sporting a high-end timepiece.  One watch in particular has been garnering a lot of attention.

Wimbledon is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world. The event is not just a showcase of athletic prowess, but of designer wear, elaborate outfits, and, of course, luxury timepieces. Though many associated with either playing matches or attending them are synonymous with Rolex – the official timing partner of the event – there are still plenty of other brands that get air time on the wrists of successful sports personalities and celebrities, one of which is two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray – a long-time brand ambassador for Rado, along with the UK’s hopeful Cameron Norrie.

Perhaps one of the most impactful celebrity endorsements, however, is that of David Beckham and TUDOR. The relationship between the two has blossomed over recent years, following Beckham's appointment as a brand ambassador for the watchmaker in 2017. The football legend clearly swears by the brand’s ethos in creating ruggedly simple, functional sports watches, having sported not only the Black Bay but also the Pelagos, Royal, and Ranger.  The Black Bay line, however, is one of the brand’s most diverse collections, spanning everything from the two-counter chronographs to the more luxurious S&G models, the retro bronze variations and, of course the popular Black Bay 58 with a 38mm diameter - the most true to form to the brand’s original dive watches. 

David Beckham and TUDOR

In the past, Beckham has been spotted wearing the 43mm Black Bay Bronze, as well as the navy blue version of the Black Bay 58 – an understated, elegant iteration that harkens back to the brand’s vintage references of the past. One of the most memorable models Beckham sported, however, was the Black Bay Chrono with a vibrant pink dial, which paid homage to the pink kit of his Inter Miami Football Club. Most recently, the football legend was gifted a diamond-set Black Bay Chrono watch for his 50th birthday. The special, custom-made watch appears to be the same one-of-a-kind timepiece that was spotted on his wrist at last week’s 4.5-hour battle between Alcaraz and Fogani – a classic-looking black and white reverse panda Chrono reference M79360N-0013. It’s a more elaborate take on the standard production model, which measures 41mm in diameter and is crafted from stainless steel, embodying TUDOR’s modern vintage aesthetic that dictates the collection’s compelling wrist presence and character.

The Black Bay Chrono

Designed for comfort, the 41mm case size of the Black Bay Chrono is relatively versatile, proving neither too small nor too large for those with slender wrists. Sitting at just over 14mm in thickness, the case is the perfect depth for housing the Calibre MT5813, a COSC-certified chronograph base, supplied by Breitling. The mechanical chronograph movement features a bidirectional rotor system and offers a 70-hour power reserve once fully wound. Lug-to-lug, the TUDOR Black Bay measures around 50mm, providing substantial dimensions that align with the well-built, comfortable persona that enthusiasts are accustomed to in the Black Bay.

The 316L stainless steel case of the TUDOR Black Bay Chrono watch, featuring corrosion resistance and a superior 200-meter water resistance, is crafted by the brand’s artisans with a combination of polished and brushed finishes. The prominent flanks reflect the light with their polished surfaces, while the top surface of the lugs is finely brushed – a subtle hint to the collection’s tool watch roots. All of these features are brought together by a sharp, clean bezel that runs along the edge of the lugs, separating the brushed elements from the polished sections.

The surface of the Black Bay Chrono’s dial, described as being “sterilised” (stripped of most of its text) is equipped with a black anodised aluminium tachymeter scale on the surrounding bezel, which goes hand in hand with the stopwatch features of the main dial, activated by the polished push-pieces located at 2 and 4 o’clock. These flank a screw-down crown adorned with the famous TUDOR emblem. Finally, completing the emblematic look of the Black Bay Chrono, the dial's surface, featuring two white sub-counters in a bi-compax layout at 3 and 9 o’clock, is protected by a domed sapphire crystal lens, further solidifying the watch’s strong neo-vintage appearance.

Avid collectors of the sporty Black Bay will already know that the watch is offered in a choice of a three-link metal bracelet or a five-link bracelet, with two-tone options available for the S&G models. The five-link steel bracelet is inspired by the folding riveted bracelets that the brand made during the 1960s. TUDOR’s innovative T-fit clasp also allows for rapid adjustments while on the fly without the use of any tools.

Beckham’s Unique Diamond-Set Black Bay Watch

Sitting at the game in center court with his mother, Beckham styled the diamond-set Black Bay Chrono watch alongside a stone-coloured double-breasted suit from his Beckham x Boss collection. The knitted cotton blue shirt underneath, paired with the off-white lined and silk-blend suit was the perfect ensemble for the watch, allowing it to pop. Its scintillating diamonds, set into the dial, the lugs, and the dial hour markers, caught the afternoon sun, especially those meticulously set into the surface of the central links of the 5-link bracelet. The model features a black lacquered dial surrounded by a bezel set with two rows of diamonds that encircle the dial entirely and its iconic Snowflake hands. Rumour has it that the watch even has two birthday candles in place of the number 2 on the date wheel, though few will ever get to see for themselves.  

If you’d like to explore the TUDOR Black Bay watch in more detail, our collection offers an extensive range of models. For more information call and speak to a member of our sales team today on 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk