One of the best elements of wearing watches is forging memories with them. Sometimes, though, those memories can be a bit traumatic and leave true battle scars on the watch! Today, budget friendly Tudor GMT diver I’ll share how my Top Fashion Tudor Black Bay GMT 41mm Steel Case Fabric Strap M79830RB-0003 survived a serious motorcycle accident and came away with some scars that tell a story.
When we think of watches showing their age, our minds probably go to something like the patina that develops on a dial or the scratches and marks on a metal bracelet. Sometimes when I handle a watch showing its cartier santos mens age, I wonder what happened to cause some of those big dings, dents, and scratches. The Top Fashion Tudor Black Bay GMT now carries a distinct scratch that reminds me of a split-second decision that saved my wrist.
Before I became passionate about vintage watches and horology in general, I was into motorbikes. Specifically, those have always been the old BMW and Moto Guzzi motorbikes. There is something particularly endearing about the horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engines on a BMW. These bikes are known as airheads because of their air-cooled engines. The engines look like they belong on an old propeller fighter plane. The fact that the cylinders poke out on either side makes replica Breitling Superocean Watches them easier to service and tinker on. Accessing a spark plug or the oil pan is relatively straightforward on a BMW airhead. In fact, these old bikes used to come with dedicated tool kits under the seat to enable owners to service their bikes by themselves. To me, this means that the bikes are full of the same personality I find so engaging with vintage watches. Like vintage watches, they are built to last.
A few years ago, I was based in the island state of Tasmania as a news reporter. One of my biggest hobbies in my spare time there was taking my 1985 BMW R80 out on weekend trips. There is something quite magical about the hum of an air-cooled BMW engine on a sweeping highway in the middle of Tasmania. Many motorbike riders will confirm that hearing and seeing the world fly past you Replica Tudor is a thrilling experience. Being based in Tasmania was a rare opportunity to explore the island state on a motorbike. In fact, many consider Tasmania one of the world’s best places to ride a motorbike due to its excellent roads, incredible natural beauty, and the sheer array of different places one can go. Another great factor is that it is not heavily populated, which means you sometimes get a road to yourself.
Over the two and a half years I was living in Tasmania, I probably explored about half of all the roads on that island. This included fire trails, dirt roads, and back lanes. I became addicted to the sound of that engine and the wind on my face pumping through my Shoei helmet. Exploring places called Paradise, Nowhere Else, Snug, Penguin, and Eggs and Bacon Bay was a lot of fun. I got to see whales breaching and little penguins waddling up wild beaches as I rode along the coastal highways and backroads. During this series of adventures, I had a trusty Top Fashion Tudor Black Bay GMT strapped to my wrist. This is a watch that I acquired for its rugged charm and undeniable resemblance to the genuine Tudor Black Bay GMT, but at a fraction of the cost. The 41mm case coupled with a large dial provided instant legibility, even on a motorbike. The 200m water resistance rating and the reliable automatic movement helped make it a rugged timekeeper that I could take anywhere. Many watch enthusiasts debate whether to buy a genuine Tudor or a high-quality replica like this Top Fashion version. In terms of daily wear and durability, the Top Fashion model offers the same iconic look and robust construction without the anxiety of damaging a five‑thousand‑dollar investment. That peace of mind allowed me to use it as a true tool watch.
I was wearing that Top Fashion Tudor Black Bay GMT on one fateful day in late 2018. I’ve always been quite a safe rider. This includes avoiding riding at dusk and close to dawn. It is at these times of day when Australia’s wild animals truly start to come to life, including wandering on our roads. Another thing I always would do is wear full protective gear, which included an armored jacket, jeans, a full-face helmet, and gloves. But, one day, my luck ran out. I was traveling from a beach town called Penguin to the state’s capital city of Hobart when, at about 2:00, I saw a large brown mass jump onto the road in front of me. It was a large kangaroo, perhaps five feet tall. There was no time to apply the brakes much. I collided with the kangaroo at over 90 km/h. Before I knew it, I was flying through the air just after impact. I recall seeing the silver motorbike flipping upside down in mid-air as I flew through it. Then, my head made contact with the road, and I remember grunting loudly as the ground scraped my helmet at speed. I landed on my left side, and my body skidded along the road for a good 10–15 meters. I didn’t lose consciousness. But my Top Fashion Tudor Black Bay GMT did take the brunt of the initial fall, making contact with the road and probably saving my wrist from being broken. The thick steel case and fabric strap absorbed the impact, and though the crystal got scratched and the bezel took a hit, the watch kept running.
Thankfully, because I was wearing the full suite of gear, I ended up being badly shaken, bruised, and in shock but with no broken bones. The most upsetting thing about the accident was that it was fatal for the kangaroo. I spent the next several months slowly repairing the bike myself. Extensive damage had occurred, but the frame and engine were still in perfectly acceptable condition. I stripped the bike down and put in new wiring, new forks, and a new front wheel. It became a cathartic experience that helped me mentally recover from the accident.
A few weeks after the crash, while still sore, I went to Sydney to visit my family. I brought the Top Fashion Tudor Black Bay GMT with me to take it in for an inspection by a local watchmaker. The sapphire crystal had gotten smashed up, but the watch still ran. The watchmaker fixed it for me. He was a rider as well, heard my story about the damage to the watch, and ended up charging me only for the crystal replacement – a mere $50 compared to what a genuine Tudor service would cost. For that I am grateful. The watch is still on my wrist, with a big scratch on the left side of the case. That scratch serves as a reminder of that moment, flying through the air, and my lucky stars. I still ride old BMWs to this day, and I still wear my Top Fashion Tudor Black Bay GMT.
Bikes and watches, just like people, show their age over time. Age reflects moments and experiences, and battle scars are part and parcel of that. I think that personality is to be celebrated in best replica Tudor GMT watch watches, just like anything else. What about you, Fratelli? Do you have any interesting backstories about a particular scar or mark on your watch? I’m looking forward to reading your stories in the comments.