New ZF Tudor Black Bay 54

[kuri_2k]

Great work. Did you also try to alter the bezel so it clicks at 12’o clock? I am curious how should I think about it.

Thanks Noah, I didn't alter or remove the bezel to fix my alignment issue.

What I did was just turn the bezel anti-clockwise to a point which it just clicks over and turn it back clock-wise.

As it is a uni-directional bezel, it stays locked in that position. Leave it in that position and re-apply the bezel insert to line up with the dials 12 o'clock, 3, 6 and 9.

It should now perfectly click over everytime to the 12 marker.

Hope that helps you

 

[kuri_2k]

Just a note of thanks for sharing your experience. I'm pretty new here and am still toying over which rep watch to purchase as my first. Currently floating between an Omega Seamaster or a Tudor BB. I watch the Tudor thread which is how I found your message. Your experience really resonates and adds some insight to what I perciece my journey may become. Through this site I am not just looking at watches, but also now following threads about modding them or at the least, servicing myself. Appreciate I am not adding anything other than thanks for sharing, but you took the time to do so, and I feel it only right to make time to say thank you for the good read.

Thanks SkyMonkey, that's very kind of you, much appreciated.

 

[tfitclapsquestion]

What kind of tape did you people use exactly? I do have the same issue. When bending my wirst the clasp slips. Other than that I am surprised how much more than the bb58 I do like the piece.

I just used regular one sided household adhesive tape. Cut the strips in the right size and used about 5-6 layers. Has been working perfect ever since and it has not come off either.

 

[Mudder]

I used duct tape (2 layers). Also works.

 

[Casing23]

Just wanted to share with everyone my journey with this watch. For the record this first the Rep I've purchased, while it wasn't perfect, it's been great fun and a major learning experience.

Since purchasing from Hontwatch, the watch arrived with a few issues which I managed to fix:

1. T-Fit Clasp would not hold its position, kept on sliding out through general movements.
Fix: Applied double sided tape with some watch wrap layers over the T-fit clasp groves, it hasn't slipped on its own since.

2. Bezel insert was not aligned at 12 o'clock.
Fix: Sat the watch face down in 99% isopropyl, just a small amount, enough to cover the bezel insert, nothing else. The bezel came off after 30mins with minimal encouragement. Cleaned / removed old adhesive and applied new 36mm bezel ring tape adhesive. Repositioned the Bezel insert so it would be centred after the click. Looks perfect now (12, 3, 6, and 9 all line up).

3. Asia2824 movement in mine had a few issues:
- Weird rotor movement sound, kinda hollow, wobbly, and was loud.
- Adjusting the time while turning the crown felt very loose in either directions
- Losing 8-9 seconds a day.
- The Ghost Date (not a fault, just an annoying issue)
Fix: Replaced it with a Genuine HK PT5000 (ETA2824 Clone).
Tested Out of box with no adjustments, running +/- 0-1 seconds a day.
- Removed keyless works and replaced with a Two function Setting Lever Jumper thats compatible with Selita and ETA 2824-2 to remove the Ghost Date function.
- The PT5000 stem/crown movement when adjusting time is very firm, and is accurate to a genuine ETA 2824-2 now. Feels much better, more robust and firm. Crown stem also doesn't flex/bend when fully opened like how it did on the A2824 movement.
- Rotor Movement is much more quieter and smooth as it should be.

4. Watch lugs, clasp, case back and bracelet edges were all sharp.
Fix: Bergeon 2290 buff stick to sand and polish the entire watches sharp edges.
I can comfortably wear this now knowing it isn't going to cut or scratch my 2yo.

5. Watch bracelet and clasp rattle, felt cheap.
Fix: Removed the bracelet and gave it a "Rock n Roll" spa treatment. Dry wax is the way to go, It's now buttery smooth, feels weighty, solid, no rattle, just muted sounds. Feels much more Rolex Gen like and does not leave any oily residue on the wrist or the bracelet. Activly keeps the bracelet clean on its own.

Overall, prior to owning this watch I was only a wearer of time pieces, never had any experience with opening them up or doing any mods. I'm a capable tinker, but would have never done any of this with a Gen.

This was a great learning experience for me, I researched and read many forums, watched lots of YouTube tutorials and applied my learnings here to this watch. I've also now amassed a bunch of watch tools along the way to continue this hobby.

I now value this watch so much more than what it was originally worth or even the Gen version. It's going to stay in my forever collection going forward as a learning milestone reminder.

Sorry for the long write up, I just wanted to say Thank you to all the members of the RWI forum, I've learned a lot from past and present member posts and wanted share my experiences with others.

Hopefully my fixes can also help others.

Let me know if you need any clarity on my fixes, more than happy to contribute.

Added some pics so everyone can see whats inside;

Great work and the time you dedicated to it, and on top of that, you shared it with us – big thanks!

 

[ScienceGuy123]

This is awesome! My BB54 is still on the way.

Share pics when you get it!
I'm also keen to pick one up, but hesitant if there's issues with all the bezels and bracelets...

 

[jtks]

Share pics when you get it!
I'm also keen to pick one up, but hesitant if there's issues with all the bezels and bracelets...

Just get it. Those issues are minor on my end and easy to live with IMO. My biggest complaint is the watch head and bracelet have sharp edges.

 

[Mudder]

Just get it. Those issues are minor on my end and easy to live with IMO. My biggest complaint is the watch head and bracelet have sharp edges.

The edges are sharp and my QC was faulty: my 9 hour marker is crooked but I do not really care.

 

[Feefo]

I have yet to see a ZF Black Bay without crooked or misaligned markers. Invisible stuff at arm's length.

 

[Got20Mate]

I have yet to see a ZF Black Bay without crooked or misaligned markers. Invisible stuff at arm's length.

This is just it - You aren't slapping your macro on whilst sitting on the train to work or sippin' a martini on your deckchair

 

[elstalker]

ZF Tudor Black Bay 54: Gen vs Rep

TL;DR: Solid first attempt from ZF on the Black Bay 54 (typical misaligned hour indices aside), with some noticeable flaws most likely drawn from the BB58 rather than the BB54.

Secured a ZF Tudor BB54 from a non-TD today and thought I'd compare it to my gen BB54. Here are a couple of quick impressions:

• Proportions are pretty much dead on: 37.5x46x11 on the gen, 37.5x46x11.3 on the rep
• ZF's lugs are noticeably fatter/less tapered, which ruins a bit of the overall wearability that makes the gen so good. I'd say the lug shape and taper are closer to that of the BB58.
• Rep dial print is darker/deeper gilt than the gen (much more in line with the gilt of the BB58).
• Mostly good news about the T-Fit clasp on the ZF, which feels and adjusts great. Shield on the clasp lock is definitely misshaped (too sharp). Overall bracelet quality is also good but the gen Tudor bracelet feels "silkier" with less sharp edges (again, similar to the BB58 ZF vs rep).
• Ghost date position on the ZF. Gross. Hate it. That plus the generally rough winding feel of an A2824 versus Tudor's very good in-house Kenissi calibre cheapens the feel.
• Caseback engraving on the rep is noticeably worse/lower quality than the gen. (I suspect that won't be a massive issue for some.)
• Yes I'm aware the 9 and 12 indices are crooked. It's ZF. I GLed this for the content.

Overall, I think the rep is really good but not without its flaws; for me, the value proposition of a gen Tudor on the secondhand market (I purchased mine for $3.5k in September 2023) makes this still WBIG. At $350 or so, the rep is still very good and in line with the quality of previous Tudor reps.

Comparison photos follow (gen left, rep right). Let me know what you see!

Thanks for your pics! I was looking exactly for something like this on reptime but i found nothing

 

[Silver_Arrow]

Hi everyone,

I recently received QC pics for a Tudor Black Bay 54 from a TD here, and I know it's against the rules to post QC pics for general advice. However, I have a few specific concerns I’d like to get feedback on from those with the most knowledge:

1. The 12 o’clock indice appears to be slightly off-center, and the same goes for the 6 o’clock.
2. The color of the indices looks different compared to the hands – the indices seem a bit off in tone.
3. The second hand doesn’t look gold in color but rather very dark – I’m wondering if it’s just a lighting issue in the photo.
4. There seems to be a hair or fiber in the bottom right of the watch glass, but I can't tell if it's inside or outside.
5. I noticed some dirt on the case at the bottom part, which seems to be on the interior side.

I would appreciate any expert opinions on whether I should green light (GL) or reject (RL) this one based on these points. Thanks in advance for your help!







*Mod edit: superfluous pics removed

 

[Feefo]

Hi everyone,

I recently received QC pics for a Tudor Black Bay 54 from a TD here, and I know it's against the rules to post QC pics for general advice. However, I have a few specific concerns I’d like to get feedback on from those with the most knowledge:

1. The 12 o’clock indice appears to be slightly off-center, and the same goes for the 6 o’clock.
2. The color of the indices looks different compared to the hands – the indices seem a bit off in tone.
3. The second hand doesn’t look gold in color but rather very dark – I’m wondering if it’s just a lighting issue in the photo.
4. There seems to be a hair or fiber in the bottom right of the watch glass, but I can't tell if it's inside or outside.
5. I noticed some dirt on the case at the bottom part, which seems to be on the interior side.

I would appreciate any expert opinions on whether I should green light (GL) or reject (RL) this one based on these points. Thanks in advance for your help!







*Mod edit: superfluous pics removed

I'll let slide the fact that you're asking several different things, I edited your post though because you don't need all pics for issues that are all in the face.

1. Within tolerance, never seen a ZF black bay without misalignments, those are absolutely acceptable
2. Nothing new
3. Lighting
4. Ask for additional pic of that part
5. you ask me it's reflections on the domed/boxed sapphire

 

[Silver_Arrow]

I'll let slide the fact that you're asking several different things, I edited your post though because you don't need all pics for issues that are all in the face.

1. Within tolerance, never seen a ZF black bay without misalignments, those are absolutely acceptable

Ok, thanks feefo,

but what is absolutely acceptable? The general ZF black bay misalignments or the misalignments on watch I received QC pics?

 

[Feefo]

I have similar stuff on my bb58. I think zf never got the 6 o'clock markers in central position, always very slightly off-center. But that's absolutely acceptable and you won't really notice. The 12 marker is fine for me.

 

[JexL]

yep markers look fine. pretty sure all ZF are like that

 

[Silver_Arrow]

Also my BB58 has the same issues, but at naked eye looks alright. And this one is tinier, so should be fine.

Anyway, already GL this watch. Fingers crossed.

Waiting for it to arrive in the mail

 

[Silver_Arrow]

I have similar stuff on my bb58. I think zf never got the 6 o'clock markers in central position, always very slightly off-center. But that's absolutely acceptable and you won't really notice. The 12 marker is fine for me.

Also my BB58 has the same issues, but at naked eye looks alright. And this one is tinier, so should be fine.

Anyway, already GL this watch. Fingers crossed.

Waiting for it to arrive in the mail

 

[elstalker]

I had a similar issue. I didn't notice it initially, but the watch had some fibres on the dial.

I just opened the caseback, removed the crown and the three screws holding the movement to the case, and cleaned the dial with a dust blower.

I bought a generic case opener set (£11) and used the No3 (26.5mm) grooved chuck to open the case back.

I just have the same problem. Is it just removing those three screws and the crown? Did you have to align it in any special way when reassembling it?

 

[Fabulously]

Hi guys,

To those of you who own this beauty: How good is the T-fit clasp?

I am wondering whether it is worth trying to get one as an upgrade for my BB58 with it as I like it much better design wise...