When I first saw my Tudor Root Beer I was intrigued. The Tudor Root Beer averages about $5,000 depending on your choice of bracelet or strap. With it’s steel and gold gmt you get that preus metal look without paying what most two tones require you to. After looking into the Tudor Root Beer GMT it seems that the bracelet with gold tips, bezel brown and black and dial colors with gold give it the Rolex Gmt master vibes. Pricing sits at $4,300 on a strap and about $5,500 on the bracelet, which makes the tudor black bay gmt s&g an available alternative. This Tudor Black Bay GMT review shares my hands-on impressions of the Tudor Black Bay Root Beer on the wrist.
Table of Contents
What Is the Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G Ref. M79833MN?
The reference M79833MN is Tudor’s official name for the watch that most collectors call the root beer GMT. Its spec sheet makes clear why it appeals to watch fans who grew up admiring vintage Rolex GMT models.
Steel and Gold: What the Two-Tone Build Has
Tudor makes the 41mm case from satin-brushed steel and rates it water-resistant to 200 meters. The bracelet combines steel with 18ct yellow gold, while the bezel and winding crown also feature gold. The domed dial and crystal take their shape from Tudor’s earliest diving watches, so the case retains its tool-watch character despite the gold accents.
Black and Brown Bezel: Why It Is Called Root Beer
It features a 24 hour bi directional rotating bezel with an anodized aluminum insert. There is gold numbering on a brown portion and black to indicate nighttime. Which is how it got its root beer name. The brown and black resemble the color of root beer. This two-tone GMT also resembles the Rolex GMT-Master reference 16753 from 1963. Collectors already associate that model with a gold and brown palette, which helps the Tudor feel familiar at first glance.
Matte Black Dial, Gilt Details and Vintage Rolex Styling
Under the bezel you have a matte black dial with hour markers coated in lume so the watch can be read at night and the word GMT at 6. There is also some gold plating on Tudors hands, indices and writing. These warm tones create a softer finish than the polished, high-contrast look found on current Rolex steel-and-gold models. A domed glassbox-style crystal strengthens the vintage feel and distorts the dial’s edge like old acrylic crystals on genuinely vintage watches.
Who This Two-Tone GMT Is To Buy
This watch suits someone who wants gold’s warmth without giving up a tool-watch feel. I’d say it looks as natural with a flannel shirt and jeans as it does with a blazer, as Tudor’s matte, mellow finishing keeps the two-tone design from feeling overly formal. The reference also suits anyone drawn to vintage GMT-Master styling who does not want to stretch to full Rolex pricing.
Tudor Root Beer GMT on the Wrist: Does the 41mm Case Work?
I noticed immediately how much the case geometry affects the watch’s daily fit once I slipped it onto my wrist. The 41mm diameter and 50mm lug-to-lug span sound large on paper, but the curved lugs draw the case closer to the skin than those numbers suggest. My wrist falls within the average range for men, and the watch feels substantial without entering oversized territory.
41mm Case and 50mm Lug-to-Lug: Fit on the Wrist
A watch’s diameter rarely tells the whole story, and that is true here. The downward-curving lugs help the Tudor Root Beer GMT wrap around smaller wrists more naturally than a straight-lug case of the same length. Anyone with a wrist below six and a half inches should try it on first because lug-to-lug length often matters more than case diameter to judge comfort.
Case Thickness: Why Trying It On Matters
Two-tone GMT watches often surprise buyers with their thickness, and photographs rarely show it accurately. A taller case can feel different under sleeves and cuffs or while sitting at a desk. Handling the Tudor Black Bay Root Beer in person is the most reliable way to confirm comfort instead of relying on images alone.
Bracelet vs Leather vs Fabric: Comfort and Appearance
Strap choice changes this watch’s character considerably. The bracelet feels dressier because its gold links add visual weight to the wrist. Leather softens the formality, while fabric gives the Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G a more casual everyday feel. Swapping straps lets one watch suit dressier occasions and weekend wear, which adds value beyond appearance.
MT5652 Movement: How Useful Is the Tudor GMT for Travel?
Underneath the dial, Tudor uses the manufacture caliber MT5652, an automatic GMT movement with an independently adjustable local hour hand. This is the same movement used throughout the brand’s current GMT lineup. The caliber runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and has 26 jewels, though those figures matter less in daily use than the way the GMT function works.
Independent Local Hour Hand: Adjusting Time When Traveling
Tudor describes this as a true travel movement because the local hour hand moves independently in one-hour jumps. The minute hand stays in place, and the date changes with the local hour hand. After arriving in a new time zone, I can move the hour hand forward or back without changing the minutes or resetting the reference time I set before leaving.
24-Hour Bezel: Tracking Up to Three Time Zones
The red 24-hour hand and standard minute hand display reference time, while the regular hour and minute hands show local time. The rotating bezel adds a third time zone through that same 24-hour hand. This gives the tudor root beer gmt genuine three-zone functionality rather than a GMT hand that only looks the part.
70-Hour Power Reserve and COSC Accuracy Standards
Tudor rates the MT5652 with a 70-hour power reserve. The watch can sit unworn through a weekend and still be running on Monday morning without winding. The movement also has COSC chronometer certification, Tudor’s accuracy standard for its manufacture calibers.
200m Water Resistance: Practical Value Beyond Travel
The watch offers 200 meters of water resistance, far more than most frequent flyers need. It still provides peace of mind around rain, pool decks, or an accidental drop in the sink. The GMT function and water resistance make the tudor black bay root beer just as suitable for a diving holiday as for a transatlantic flight.
Tudor vs Rolex Root Beer: Prices, Trade-Offs and Buying Advice
The choice between Tudor and Rolex comes down to budget, availability, and how particular I am about materials.
Tudor vs Rolex GMT-Master II: Tudor makes its cases from 316L steel, while Rolex uses proprietary 904L Oystersteel, which offers better corrosion resistance and takes a sharper polish. Rolex’s GMT-Master II ranges from $10,000 to $42,000 based on the metal. Tudor’s steel models cost roughly $3,500 to $4,500, although dealer waitlists that last years can drive Rolex premiums even higher.
Black Bay Pro and Pepsi GMT: Buyers who prefer Explorer II styling or a red-and-blue bezel instead of root beer tones can find both options in Tudor’s current lineup.
Reported Launch Prices: Tudor lists the root beer model at $4,300 on leather or fabric straps. The bracelet version reaches roughly $5,550.
Buying New or Pre-Owned: Always confirm current pricing, condition, and availability with an authorized dealer before committing.
Main Pros: The warm two-tone styling, a genuine travel GMT, and prices far below comparable Rolex models stand out.
Main Cons: Fair criticisms include the 14.6mm case thickness, a wide bracelet without taper, and gold-capped center links instead of solid gold.
Conclusion
In my opinion it is a great option for someone looking for a two tone. With warm gold accents, actual tri-zone movement and costing thousands less than a rolex it’s hard to argue against. You can’t complain about it being too bulky or the bracelet not tapering. If you love the look of a vintge gmt-master then the Tudor root beer has some nice personality and function. Great value as well.
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