The super-exclusive Tudor Black Bay that you’ve never seen before
Time+TideEditor’s note: There are a lot of watches out there and while we endeavour to stay across as many as we can, truth be told, some fly under the radar (fly being the operative word in this case). That’s why we were delighted when a Time+Tide reader, Edouard, informed us about a watch we’d never encountered – a 32-piece limited military edition that was issued for a specific squadron of the British Royal Air Force. He happened to discover the watch after talking to an ex-pilot from the Squadron and here he kindly shares the story of the Tudor Black Bay 32 (The Royal) Squadron. Many thanks Edouard!
Tudor has a long-standing history with the military. In 1952, the brand sent 24 Oyster Prince watches on a British scientific expedition to Greenland organised by the British Royal Navy. Later that decade in 1956, the French Navy ordered a batch of Tudor Submariners that were worn by the Marine Nationale, while Tudor later supplied watches to a host of other naval forces including those of the US, Canada, Argentina and South Africa. What’s even more exclusive, however, are Tudor’s special editions that are produced in highly limited runs in honour of military regiments. Among these was Tudor’s partnership with one of the most prestigious of Britain’s Royal Air Force squadrons, the 32 (The Royal) Squadron, whose mission it is to arrange air travel to the Queen, senior Royal Family members and a handful of select VIPs.
The RAF 32 (The Royal) Squadron
Originally formed in 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps, No. 32 Squadron served in both World Wars. It then continued as a fighter squadron from bases in Palestine, Cyprus, Egypt, the Persian Gulf, Malta and Jordan among others. From 1969 its mission was repurposed to specialise in air transport for VIPs. In 1995, the Queen’s Flight squadron was merged into the 32 (The Royal) Squadron giving it its current name.
Operating from RAF Northolt in Greater London, the Squadron’s crest is “a hunting horn stringed” which was approved by King George VI in December 1936. The horn signified the unit’s ability to hunt the enemy and has the motto “adeste comites” – Latin for “rally round, comrades”.
A 32-piece limited-edition Tudor Black Bay
Tudor and the Squadron choose the Black Bay model 79230B as a basis on account of its blue bezel, which is also the colour of the Royal Air Force and their official uniforms. The personalization on the dial is discreet but distinctive – true to the values of the Squadron – and features the name “32 (THE ROYAL) SQUADRON” in lieu of the depth rating “200m:660ft”. The case-back has been engraved with the unit’s blazon with the stringed hunting horn, the limited-edition number (XX/32 – an appropriate nod to the Squadron’s name) as well as the military service number of the member of the Squadron who purchased it.
Commissioned in 2018 and delivered in 2019, the 32 pieces were never offered for public sale. Only active or ex-members of the 32 (The Royal) Squadron with verified service numbers, were offered the chance to purchase it – note that these were not gifts from the RAF, each member had to pay for their watch. And even among its members – which comprise of several thousand when including retired members – only 32 were lucky enough to receive a watch.
Combining military heritage, royal flair, a unique story, an elite clientele and an extremely short production, the Black Bay 32 (The Royal) Squadron is, not surprisingly, a highly sought-after watch for collectors.