The Tudor Root Beer: All About the Black Bay GMT S&G
While the “Root Beer” nickname was originally used for brown two-tone Rolex GMT watches, it has since extended to Tudor’s version with a similar colorway. The Black Bay GMT S&G — often referred to as the Tudor Root Beer — debuted in 2022. As a younger, more laid-back, and, let’s be honest, far more affordable alternative to the Rolex, the Tudor Root Beer has become a favorite among the brand’s travel-ready watches. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including specs and pricing.
Design: Case, Bezel, and Dial
Given its color palette and overall styling, the Tudor Root Beer is clearly vintage-inspired. Think seventies jet-setting lifestyle. Yet, in true Tudor fashion, the Black Bay GMT S&G benefits from plenty of modern updates too.
As its S&G name indicates, the 41mm case combines stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, finished in alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces. Topping the case is the GMT watch must-have: a 24-hour rotating bezel, split into brown (day hours) and black (night hours), which is where the Root Beer nickname springs from. The bezel comprises an 18k yellow gold knurled edge and an aluminum insert — again, the use of aluminum (rather than say, modern ceramic) leans vintage — punctuated with gold colored numbers and markings. Side note, the “MN” in the reference number is short for marron and noir, which is French for brown and black.
The golden goodness of the case and bezel carries over to the dial with gilt accents — such as the text and minute track — on the domed grained matt black surface. There’s also the familiar combination of Snowflake hands and lume-filled plots, all fashioned from yellow gold. To emphasize the old-school style, Tudor opted for a beige-toned Super-LumiNova — a somewhat controversial choice, but honestly, bright white wouldn’t have fit in here.
Like other Black Bay models, the Tudor GMT Root Beer has a domed sapphire crystal and a large screw-down crown, helping maintain 200 meters of water resistance. That crown is fashioned from steel for construction, which is then covered by a 0.3mm yellow gold cap for the look.
Tudor Root Beer Bracelet and Strap Options
There are three references of the Root Beer on offer, each delineated by its bracelet/strap:
- 79833MN-0001 with bracelet
- 79833MN-0003 with brown leather strap
- 79833MN-0004 with black and beige stripe fabric strap
While the leather and fabric strap options are no doubt cool, the jazziest and most “root beer” of the bunch is, unsurprisingly, the two-tone steel and yellow gold bracelet. Never one to miss a vintage touch opportunity, Tudor went with the retro rivet style bracelet, characterized by the slightly protruding fasteners on the outside edge of the links.
Now, if you’re wondering how Tudor can maintain an affordable price point for a watch that includes gold in its bracelet, it’s because of the considered use of gold here. The first center links (located at 6 and 12 o’clock) are made from solid yellow gold, whereas the remaining center links are crafted in steel and covered in a 0.2mm yellow gold cap.
The bracelet and leather band are fitted with steel deployant clasps, while the fabric strap is equipped with a simpler steel buckle.
More on Tudor:
Functions and Caliber MT5652
Bringing it back to basics, the purpose of a Tudor Root Beer (like all GMT watches) is to track two time zones simultaneously — local time indicated via the traditional 12-hour hand and the additional time zone displayed by the 24-hour GMT hand pointing to the 24-hour bezel. However, the Black Bay GMT is what is known as a “true GMT” or “flyer GMT” (as opposed to a “caller GMT” a.k.a. “office GMT”), defined by a local hour hand that can be adjusted independently to allow for quick time zone changes when flying across the skies. In addition to the dual time function, the Black Bay GMT S&G also has a date window at 3 o’clock, synced up to local time.
If you’ve been following Tudor’s progress over the last decade or so, you’ll know that the brand has been dutifully swapping out any ebauche movements for in-house-made ones. Powering the Tudor Root Beer is the automatic Caliber MT5652, the manufacture movement that premiered in the first Tudor Black Bay GMT back in 2018.
Caliber MT5652 operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and supplies a 70-hour power reserve. Equipped with a variable inertia balance and a non-magnetic silicon balance spring, it goes beyond its COSC certification parameters (a variation allowance between -4 and +6 seconds per day), offering between -2 and +4 seconds’ variation when completely assembled. Like all Tudor watches, the Caliber MT5652 is hidden from sight underneath a solid, screw-down caseback — steel in this case.
Black Bay GMT S&G Specs and Pricing
| Model | Black Bay GMT S&G |
| Reference Number | 79833MN |
| Case | Stainless steel case with yellow gold capped winding crown and bezel 41mm diameter 14.6mm thick |
| Bezel | 48-notch bidirectional rotating bezel with steel core and 0.3mm yellow gold cap 24-hour graduated matt brown and black anodised aluminum disc |
| Dial | Domed black |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone (GMT) |
| Movement | Manufacture Caliber MT5652 (COSC) Self-winding, approx 70-hour power reserve |
| Water Resistance | 200m (660 feet) |
| Bracelet/Strap | 79833MN-0001: two-tone bracelet 79833MN-0003: leather strap 79833MN-0004: fabric strap |
| 2025 Retail Price (MSRP) | 79833MN-0001: $6,675 79833MN-0003: $5,000 79833MN-0004: $5,000 |
On the retail level, the Tudor Root Beer is priced between $5,000 and $6,675, depending on whether it’s paired with a bracelet or strap. Prices on the secondary market are typically lower, however, generally ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 for pre-owned Tudor Root Beer models.
A Toast to the Tudor Root Beer
With its nostalgic colorway, robust specs, and thoughtful execution, the Tudor Root Beer hits a sweet spot for collectors seeking vintage flair without vintage fuss. It delivers travel-ready functionality, COSC-certified precision, and that unmistakable seventies-inspired aesthetic — all at a price that’s relatively accessible in the luxury watch landscape.
Like Rolex, Tudor’s GMT lineup has Pepsi, Coke, and Root Beer variants. And among those, the Tudor Root Beer offers a little extra warmth, gold, and retro charm. So whether you’re chasing two time zones or just digging the throwback vibe, this one’s hard to beat.
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