BB58 and Seiko Modding... What do they have in common?

The intriguing world of horology combines a blend of history and innovation. Today, we delve into the fascinating narrative of the Tudor brand. This is an iconic brand that encapsulates time-honored craftsmanship. Often compared to it's luxury sister-brand, Rolex, we truly believe that Tudor is a brand that can stand proudly by itself.

Particularly, we will focus on the much-loved Tudor Black Bay collection. Our emphasis will be the Black Bay 58. Lastly, we'll share some tips on how you can build your own watch that pays homage to the elegance of the Tudor Black Bay. You can create your bespoke timepiece through the vibrant world of Seiko modding.

The Tudor Legacy

Tudor is the brainchild of the legendary Hans Wilsdorf. Hans is also the visionary behind Rolex, the iconic luxury watch brand. Tudor came into being in 1926, providing a more accessible avenue into the world of high-quality timepieces. Despite the attractive pricing, Tudor did not compromise on the reliability and precision characteristic of Rolex.

Hans Wildorf himself said, "For some years now I have been considering the idea of making a watch that our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that could attain the standards of dependability for which Rolex is famous, I decided to form a separate company, with the object of making and marketing this new watch. It is called the Tudor Watch Company.'

With this philosophy as the basis of its foundation, Tudor has consistently showcased this quality throughout the years. The brand combines the robustness of Rolex with a style that's distinctively its own. It is this seamless blend of legacy and style that has carved a niche for Tudor in the horological landscape.

The Tudor Black Bay and the Black Bay 58

The Tudor Black Bay is a seminal part of the brand. It is an emblem of Tudor's illustrious past. This diver's watch represents Tudor's unwavering commitment to functionality and craftsmanship.

Source: Monochrome Watches

In 2018, Tudor released a new variant of the Black Bay called the Black Bay 58, sometimes called the BB58. It refines the ethos of the original Black Bay. It incorporates a vintage aesthetic reminiscent of mid-century Tudor timepieces. The Black Bay 58 features a slim 39mm case, a distinctive gilt dial, and the signature snowflake hands. However, beneath its vintage-inspired façade lies a modern in-house movement that has a whopping 72 hour power reserve.

Seiko Modding: Capturing the Tudor Aesthetic

Owning a BB58 is an aspiration for many watch enthusiasts. Although Tudor is supposed to be the more "budget-friendly" line compared to Rolex, at the end of the day it's still a luxury product, and not everybody wants to spend thousands of dollars on what's essentially jewellery. Here is where the vibrant world of Seiko modding comes into the picture. This dynamic community of watch enthusiasts and craftsmen modify and build watches using available aftermarket watch parts. With a Seiko mod, you can capture the essence of the Black Bay 58 without having to incur the premium cost. Plus, you can design it any which way you like.

Source: finemods on Reddit

The world of Seiko modding allows you to select components that allow you to pay homage to the BB58. Using our NMK939 case bundle as the foundation, it's up to you to build a watch that's truly unique to you, yet has some of the signature characteristics of the BB58. A slim bezel, riveted bracelet, and a slightly domed crystal are some of the features we most love about the BB58, and you can incorporate these seamlessly into your build with our NMK939 case.

Don't like snowflake hands? Choose from the huge variety of NH35 compatible watch hands that we sell. Prefer a different dial? We've got you covered with a generous variety of NH35 compatible watch dials, you're sure to find something that sparks joy. You can check out our extensive catalog of watch modding parts if you want to see what's truly possible - and honestly, the permutations are truly endless. That's what makes building your own watch so addictive.

At its essence, Seiko modding echoes the spirit of the Black Bay series: it's a fusion of tradition and innovation. By choosing to build or modify a Seiko, you create a timepiece that mirrors the Black Bay 58. But, you also craft a watch that reflects your personal style. It's an embodiment of honouring and taking inspiration from the past, while creating something uniquely new.

Happy modding, modfam!