Scene 1: December 31, six hours before the new year arrives. Six hours to celebrate with friends — at least, those who are able to stay awake (we’re not as young as we once were). We’re going to be late — my fault, as usual. Where did I put that damn jacket? Ah, there it is. I slip on the dark burgundy velvet and turn to the watch box for the last piece of the outfit. I need something that is dressy, something understated but pure class. I pick up the Tudor Black Bay 36. Perfect. The nearly-white lumed shapes against the glossy black background and minimal silver text are almost like a tuxedo on my wrist. On the brown Russian leather strap tonight, this 36 mm beauty should slide under my cuff easily, always ready to update me on the countdown to the year that awaits, as we eat and drink and laugh with our friends in what few moments remain in this year.

Scene 2: 12,000 feet above sea level, give or take. The air is thin up here, but it smells strongly of the pine trees and wildflowers that surround me, making the deeper breaths I take all the more pleasant. With the sound of the little creek beside me burbling in my ears, I eye the clouds that have just come over the nearest peak and glance down at my watch. Sitting on its perlon strap, the clean face of the Tudor Black Bay 36 tells me the time instantly. It’s been just over an hour up, and we should be able to get back to relative safety well before any possible storms roll in. As I turn around, I slip and put my left hand — with the Black Bay 36 — right in the middle of the brook. No worries — plenty of water resistance to handle much more than this little dip. And the case size and flat sapphire crystal have kept the watch safe from possible damage as I load and unload my photo equipment from my backpack during our trek.

Scene 3: It’s the third meeting of the day, and it’s already 5:21. I’m supposed to be meeting out-of-town friends who are in-town tonight for after-work drinks in 24 minutes, and this guy doesn’t even seem close to wrapping up. What is he even going on about? Synergy? Optimal internal dynamics? Ugh. It’s got to be close to 5:30 now, fortunately it’s easy to check the time on the Black Bay 36 without causing a scene by looking at my phone. This little beauty now on the brown croc strap works perfectly with my suit, and tells me that it’s…what? Only 5:22. Despair.

Conclusion: The Tudor Black Bay 36 has been everything I hoped it would be when it became my first “big” watch purchase two years ago. It’s accompanied me to work and play and it’s been dressed up and dressed down. I love the dominance and simplicity of the geometric shapes in its design, and I love that the ETA 2824 inside runs at about +2 SPD and will give me plenty of service options when that time comes. It’s often mentioned in GADA conversations; in my experience, it has fully earned that. I’m looking forward to it accompanying me to many more adventures and celebrations and suffering with me through many more meetings.