Released in 2019, the Tudor P01 was born to resemble a 1960s dive watch prototype that had set out to solve a relatively simple problem that was facing dive watches at the time; how to secure the rotatable bezel. As a key piece of diving equipment in the ‘60s, a misaligned bezel could be the difference between life and death, and so Tudor came up with the “Commando Programme” to create a watch with a bezel-locking system that existed between the lugs and placed tension on the bezel. Scrapped for one reason or another, Tudor decided to bring back the prototype design and extend their growing Black Bay collection with the P01. Boasting the same bezel-locking system as the original prototype and a large 42mm case with a winding crown at 4 o’clock, this black dialled dive watch is rather confidently one of Tudor’s most unique releases in a long time, and while it generated quite a controversial response when it debuted, its popularity has grown since its recent discontinuation as it has grown into its status as a cult classic that Tudor fans appreciate for its unique heritage and even more unique design and utility.

A unique design that sought to solve a unique problem from a short period of time, the P01 showcases just how inventive watchmakers had to be while their inventions were the tools that kept people alive in extreme activities such as diving.