- 4/4/09
- 2,140
- 91
- 48
As projects go, this one was pretty straightforward. It all started in July, not long after it was announced that "the factories" had tweaked their superlative Black Bay rep and created a blue version to match the one announced at Baselworld this past spring. Honestly, I've never been that interested in the Black Bay, since I saw it as a mish-mash of confused historical influences. Snowflake hands on a rose dial? And what's with that colored crown tube?
But you do grow fonder of some things over time. It helped to have tried on the gen a few times, as did seeing cyberwarhol's rep up close during a GTG some months back. And, yes, the palette shift from burgundy to royal blue did much to change my mind. I'd had my fingers crossed for a blue Pelagos (still do), but this was the next big thing.
So there I was in mid-July, looking at QC pics that someone had posted for an upcoming delivery. They looked terrific, in my opinion, but I've long favored the blue/gilt combo on Submariners. Why, just take a look at the fantastic 5512 that ChiMan built for me so many years ago, and that I still wear regularly. I quote myself: "I would love to see the blue Black Bay with gilt hands/dial. Now who can I convince to take one in red and silver?" To which sneed12 replied, "If you're serious I'll swap with you."
Having set some funds aside for a rather pricey Fifty Fathoms, I really didn't need to spend another few hundred bucks on another rep. However, opportunities like this don't come up every day, and I really wanted to see how this thing would look! I PM'd S and let him take care of the ordering and assembly. There were several delays. First, the seller was about to send two Black Bays in the wrong colors; add a few days. Then the clasp of one of them broke, requiring sneed to drill out a link and rebuild the clasp.
At this point, the movement swap was made:
Add a few weeks, as he had to order new drill bits, but eventually it was all done:
Easy-peasy, I suppose!
You've all read enough about the Black Bay rep, so I won't be making a full review. I think the gilt dial/hands against the blue bezel and tube look amazing, so full marks to me and my vision! Similarly, I'm sure S is enjoying the Canadian colours on his Black Bay. I will note that the BB feels a lot bigger and much heavier than I'd expected--and that's saying something, considering how I've grown used to the heft of the Fifty Fathoms! Right now, it looks like it could be a go-anywhere, do-anything diver, but let's see if it has as much staying power on my wrist as my beloved 4-liner.
Old and new:
Of course, I couldn't help but see how it looks on Tropic rubber:
Big thanks to sneed12!
