Tudor Black Bay 58 M79030N
Specs, Market Price & Buying Guide
- The Tudor Black Bay 58 ref. M79030N shrinks the Black Bay formula to 39mm with gilt accents, an aluminum bezel and the in-house MT5402 with 70 hours of reserve.
- Retail is about $3,800 on bracelet; real-world prices run roughly $3,100-3,800 — discounts are available, unlike at Rolex.
- Weak points: the aluminum bezel fades and scratches by design, no on-the-fly clasp adjustment, and a faux-rivet bracelet some find costume-y.
The Black Bay formula: snowflake hands, big crown, no date — 1958 proportions.
Market range $3,100-3,800 · verified August 30, 2026
$3,800
flat
flat
slightly down
The BB58 held strong through the 2022 correction and trades near retail — one of Tudor's best value-retainers. Navy-blue and 18k gold variants sit higher; pre-owned full sets from 2020-2022 start around $2,900.
Available at ADs — minor waits possible; gray market near retail
Full specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | M79030N-0001 |
| Movement | Tudor MT5402 in-house, COSC, 70h reserve |
| Case size | 39mm x 11.9mm thick; ~47mm lug-to-lug |
| Lug width | 20mm |
| Crystal | Domed sapphire |
| Water resistance | 200m, screw-down crown |
| Dial | Black with gilt printing and indexes, snowflake hands |
| Bracelet | Steel rivet-style with folding clasp; fabric and leather options |
| Bezel | Unidirectional, black anodized aluminum, gilt 60-minute scale |
How it wears, by wrist size
Very good — the 39mm case and short lugs suit small wrists well.
Ideal; this is the wrist the BB58 was sized for.
Wears compact but intentional; try before assuming too small.
Reads vintage-small — the 41mm Black Bay is the alternative.
Buy or skip?
5/5 — the best-wearing vintage-style diver on sale
The BB58 nailed the brief: genuine 1950s dive-watch proportions with a modern in-house movement, at a price where ownership costs stay sane. It gives up the Submariner's ceramic bezel and brand gravity, but gains wearability the 41mm divers can't match. If you have a sub-7-inch wrist and want one diver, start here.
- You want a bezel that stays mint — the aluminum insert will age (many love that).
- You need clasp micro-adjustment on the fly — Tudor still doesn't offer it here.
- Resale outperformance matters — a Submariner is the financial answer.
Available alternatives (Amazon-priced)
If the BB58 is close but not exact, these cover the vintage-diver brief in every direction:
Rolex Submariner (126610LN)
The original blueprint — our reference page has full details
Check Amazon price ↗Omega Seamaster 300 (heritage)
The true-vintage-tech alternative with a ceramic sandwich dial
Check Amazon price ↗Black Bay 58 vs The Vintage-Diver Field
| Spec | BB58 | Submariner | Legend Diver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real price | $3,100-3,800 | $11,000-13,000 | $2,100-2,600 |
| Movement | MT5402, 70h | 3235, 70h | L888, 72h |
| Case size | 39mm | 41mm | 39mm |
| Bezel | Aluminum (ages) | Ceramic (stays mint) | Internal, no insert |
| Resale behavior | Strong for Tudor | Strongest | Weak-moderate |
Ownership costs
| Cost item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service | Tudor suggests 5-7 year checks; service typically $400-600 via Rolex/Tudor service centers. |
| Bracelet | Faux rivets are cosmetic; the clasp is solid but lacks micro-adjust — the 2023+ 'T-fit' models fix this on other references. |
| Common issues | Aluminum bezel scratches — expected and part of the aesthetic; date-free dial keeps setting simple. |
| Warranty | 5-year Tudor warranty from card date. |
Frequently asked questions
Black Bay 58 vs Black Bay 41 — which should I buy?
Wrist size decides. Under 7 inches the 58's 39mm case is objectively better proportioned; over 7 the 41 fills better. The 58 also gets the gilt accents and aluminum bezel — the more vintage of the two.
Is the Black Bay 58 a good investment?
By Tudor standards, yes — it has held near retail for years. But no mass-market watch is an investment; buy it because the fit and style are right.
Does the BB58 bezel fade?
The anodized aluminum insert will scratch and can fade over years — deliberately echoing vintage Subs. If you want permanent mint, buy ceramic (Pelagos 39 or Submariner).
Can you wear a BB58 with a suit?
Yes — 39mm and 11.9mm thick slides under cuffs, and the gilt dial dresses up better than most divers.
Where to buy safely
~$3,800 retail; waits are short if any — a refreshing contrast to Rolex ADs.
$3,100-3,600 unworn from established dealers; verify card date.
2019-2021 full sets from ~$2,900; check bezel insert condition and crown tube wear.