Case #645 — Tudor Black Bay 41 (Red - Steel) Ref. 79230R-0012

Case #645 — Tudor Black Bay 41 (Red - Steel) Ref. 79230R-0012

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

Case Notes

The burgundy bezel is the color that defined the modern Black Bay.

Reference M79230R-0012 pairs that unmistakable red aluminum bezel with a black dial, gilt-tone detailing, Snowflake hands, and Tudor’s riveted steel bracelet, creating one of the warmest and most recognizable configurations in the original 41 mm Black Bay family.

This is the manufacture-movement generation, powered by Tudor’s MT5602 automatic calibre with COSC certification and approximately 70 hours of power reserve.

At 41 mm, the watch has substantial wrist presence without feeling oversized, and the combination of black, burgundy, steel, and gilt gives it far more personality than a conventional monochrome diver.

This example dates from 2023 and presents in Excellent Pre-Owned condition. It includes its Box, Papers, and Cards and is currently sized for approximately a 7¾-inch wrist.

The Evidence

Reference: M79230R-0012
Model: Black Bay 41
Year: 2023
Case: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 41 mm
Thickness: Approximately 14.8 mm
Lug Width: 22 mm
Dial: Black with Gilt-Tone Details
Crystal: Domed Sapphire
Bezel: Unidirectional Rotating Burgundy Aluminum
Crown: Screw-Down
Movement: Tudor Manufacture Calibre MT5602
Movement Type: Automatic
Certification: COSC Chronometer
Frequency: 28,800 VPH
Power Reserve: Approximately 70 Hours
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Central Seconds
Water Resistance: 200 meters / 660 feet
Bracelet: Riveted Stainless-Steel Bracelet
Bracelet Fit: Approximately 7¾-inch wrist
Condition: Excellent Pre-Owned
Included: Box, Papers, and Cards

Collector Provenance

The Black Bay Red is the configuration that launched the modern Black Bay story.

Its burgundy bezel established the visual identity of the line, pairing vintage Tudor dive-watch cues with modern construction and reliability.

The 79230R generation moved the Black Bay forward mechanically by introducing Tudor’s own MT5602 manufacture movement in place of the earlier outsourced calibre.

That change brought COSC certification and a substantially longer 70-hour power reserve, while preserving the dial, bezel, Snowflake hands, and case architecture that had already become recognizable.

Design Provenance

The burgundy bezel is the defining feature.

Against the black dial and steel case, it introduces warmth without making the watch feel bright or flashy. The gilt-tone dial details reinforce that effect and give the watch a stronger vintage character than the blue or black versions.

The riveted bracelet adds another heritage cue and gives the watch a more substantial, integrated feel on the wrist.

This is a Black Bay that looks unmistakably like a modern Tudor while still carrying the visual DNA that made the collection successful in the first place.

Technical Provenance

The MT5602 is one of the key reasons this generation matters.

It is a COSC-certified automatic movement running at 28,800 vibrations per hour with approximately 70 hours of power reserve.

That extended reserve makes the watch practical in rotation and was a major step forward from the earlier Black Bay generation.

The rest of the specification remains true dive-watch territory: screw-down crown, unidirectional bezel, sapphire crystal, and 200 meters of water resistance.

From the Case File

This 2023 example is particularly clean.

It presents in Excellent Pre-Owned condition, includes its Box, Papers, and Cards, and is currently sized for approximately a 7¾-inch wrist.

The steel bracelet makes this the most versatile version of the reference, while the burgundy bezel gives it enough visual identity to stand apart from the more common black and blue sports-watch palette.

BST Verdict

The Black Bay colorway that started the modern Tudor conversation.

The burgundy bezel, black gilt-accented dial, riveted steel bracelet, manufacture MT5602 movement, 70-hour reserve, and 200-meter capability make the 79230R one of the most recognizable members of the Black Bay family.

Case 645 adds a 2023 date, Excellent condition, and full BPC presentation to a configuration that remains one of Tudor’s most characterful modern divers.

Every case deserves a closer look.