Case #612 — Tudor Black Bay GMT Pepsi on Aftermarket Leather Ref. 79830RB

Case #612 — Tudor Black Bay GMT Pepsi on Aftermarket Leather Ref. 79830RB

Status: Available
Condition: Excellent Pre-Owned
Scope: Box, Papers, and Cards

🔎 Case Notes

The Black Bay GMT is Tudor’s take on the classic red-and-blue travel watch, pairing unmistakable vintage-inspired styling with a thoroughly modern manufacture movement.

Its 41 mm stainless-steel case is topped by a bidirectional 24-hour bezel in matte burgundy and blue, giving the watch the familiar “Pepsi” look without simply copying its better-known Rolex cousin. The black dial keeps the presentation grounded, while Tudor’s snowflake GMT hand makes the second time zone immediately legible.

This example dates from 2019 and presents in excellent pre-owned condition.

Rather than the original bracelet or factory leather configuration, it is fitted to an aftermarket BluShark leather strap, giving the watch a warmer, more casual character while retaining the strong visual identity of the GMT bezel and black dial.

The watch includes box, papers, and cards and will accommodate approximately an 8-inch wrist.

🕰️ The Evidence

• Reference: M79830RB
• Model: Black Bay GMT
• Year: 2019
• Case: Stainless Steel
• Case Diameter: 41 mm
• Dial: Black
• Crystal: Domed Sapphire
• Bezel: Bidirectional 24-Hour Bezel in Burgundy and Blue
• Crown: Screw-Down
• Movement: Tudor Manufacture Calibre MT5652
• Movement Type: Automatic GMT
• Certification: COSC Chronometer
• Power Reserve: Approximately 70 Hours
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Central Seconds, Date, GMT / Second Time Zone
• Water Resistance: 200 meters / 660 feet
• Strap: Aftermarket BluShark Leather Strap
• Fit: Approximately 8-inch wrist
• Condition: Excellent Pre-Owned
• Included: Box, Papers, and Cards

🌟 Collector Provenance

The Black Bay GMT represented an important expansion of the Black Bay family when it debuted, taking Tudor’s established dive-watch design language and adding a true travel complication.

The MT5652 is a genuine integrated GMT movement rather than a simple 24-hour module, allowing the local hour hand to be adjusted independently in one-hour increments. That gives the watch the functionality collectors generally want from a proper traveler’s GMT.

The red-and-blue bezel also gives the watch instant visual recognition while remaining distinctly Tudor through the snowflake hand, gilt-toned dial details and Black Bay case architecture.

🌟 Design Provenance

The attraction of the Black Bay GMT is how effectively it balances familiarity and individuality.

The color scheme recalls one of the most recognizable travel-watch designs in horology, but the execution remains Tudor: broader case proportions, snowflake hands, matte aluminum bezel treatment and a deliberately vintage-inspired dial.

On leather, the watch takes on an especially strong tool-watch character. The BluShark strap softens the overall presentation and emphasizes the burgundy tones in the bezel, making it feel less formal and more rugged than the standard bracelet configuration.

🧾 From the Case File

A GMT should feel useful first and decorative second.

The Black Bay GMT gets that balance right.

The 41 mm case gives it enough wrist presence to feel substantial, the 200-meter water resistance makes it far more robust than most travel watches, and the independently adjustable local hour hand makes switching time zones genuinely practical.

This example adds excellent condition, BPC, and an 8-inch fit, while the aftermarket leather strap gives it a distinct personality without altering the watch itself.

🗝️ BST Verdict

One of Tudor’s most versatile modern references.

The Black Bay GMT combines recognizable “Pepsi” styling, a proper manufacture GMT movement, 70-hour reserve and 200-meter capability in a package that works just as well for travel as it does for everyday wear.

This 2019 example presents especially well and gives the next owner a clean, complete, highly wearable entry into the Black Bay GMT line.

👉 Every case deserves a closer look.