Tudor with METAS certification

Yeah, I thought the METAS certification was an interesting touch. Bet we'll hear more about that from Fratello or ABTW, which I'm looking forward to!

As for the watch... I'm not really interested in black watches much anymore, I kinda feel like that trend has sort of been overdone at this point. Obviously the Tudor is typically nicely done, with the black movement finish a really cool touch and I think the dial looks nice. Maybe I'll want it if I ever see it in person, who knows... but it's just not going to have me running over to an AD to try it on is all.

As for the MN connection, I didn't see anything to suggest that this is the official one, either in the teasers or the announcement. Where'd that come from?

Such a shame that it's 14.4mm thick. The METAS certification is interesting though. I wonder if it will be perceived as acquiescence or a slight towards Omega. I'd assume the latter considering it seems like Tudor is trying to reframe consumers' perception by drawing attention to itself competing with Omega rather than letting the focus be on Omega's competition with Rolex.

New ceramic black bay 58 in 41mm with a metas certification...They are firing shots across the bow!! It's with leather and fabric band included as well.

I don't think Rolex would move to METAS, because that would be admitting that their current certification is a lesser certification.


No, METAS is not specific to Omega, although until now they were the only ones to use it. Just like COSC, any brand can submit watches to METAS for certification.

The Rolex fans are already saying the Rolex's certification is "better" than METAS, based on their in-house tolerance - it's a misunderstanding of what "certification" means.

Just to clarify, when you say COSC is only part of the certification used by Rolex, that's not really correct. It is the only certification they use, and that standard is -4 to +6. They do have an in-house tolerance that is more stringent, but brands do this all the time. For example prior to METAS all Omega COSC watches that were certified to -4 to +6 had an internal tolerance that was -1 to +6.

An internal tolerance is not the same thing as certification. One is done by a third party, and one is based on your trust in the brand.

Also consider that METAS includes many things that COSC does not in terms of what they test, they also test a completed watch and not a bare bones movement that will be cased sometime later, and the tolerance of the certification is tighter.

On your point about the impact to Rolex either way, I see your point. But if you read the very Rolex centric forums right now, all the Rolex fanatics will tell you that Rolex is already far above Omega, and some of the more extreme fanboys will tell you that Rolex has surpassed the "trinity" brands of AP, VC, and PP (this is based purely on market values and desirability of the watches, not technical specs or watchmaking prowess). Brand positioning is less and less about what the watch actually is these days, and more about what the watch can do in the secondary market, so Rolex won't be hurt either way as long as this insane world we live in with regards to Rolex supply/demand continues.

The view I'm seeing of the converted faithful is that Tudor is now on par with Omega's ceramic Seamasters with this watch. If you actually look at the specs of this watch, it clearly isn't, but the Rolex faithful are not easily swayed by logic sometimes.

Perception is reality...now more than ever.

If you look at what parts of this watch are ceramic, it's the mid-case and the bezel insert. The bezel, crown, and case back are steel with PVD coating. When that coating wears, you are going to have a nice shiny deep black mid case, and parts that look worn...