Watch Paparazzi

Footballer David Beckham spotted wearing Tudor

Courtside at the All England Club during this year's Wimbledon Championships, David Beckham — former England captain and current president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF — was photographed wearing a Tudor Black Bay Pro in stainless steel, reference M79470-0001. The setting was a natural one for a watch with global sporting credentials, and Beckham's choice cut through a crowd that skews heavily toward Rolex and Patek Philippe.

The Tudor Black Bay Pro ref. M79470-0001 measures 39mm in stainless steel with a case thickness that Tudor keeps deliberately wearable at 12.4mm — compact by GMT standards. The domed black dial references the brand's dive-watch heritage while the satin-brushed 24-hour graduated fixed bezel handles GMT duties cleanly, distinguishing day from night at a glance. The riveted steel bracelet is one of the model's most distinctive details, a nod to mid-century Oyster-style bracelets that collectors consistently single out as a highlight of the design.

Powering the watch is Tudor's manufacture MT5652 calibre, COSC-certified to ±4 seconds per day and equipped with a silicon hairspring for improved magnetic resistance. The 70-hour power reserve is generous enough for a long-haul flight — appropriate for a GMT — and the movement is entirely Tudor's own, an important distinction from the brand's earlier ETA-dependent era. Introduced at Watches & Wonders 2022, the Black Bay Pro established itself quickly as a serious entry-level GMT alternative to the Rolex Explorer II and GMT-Master II.

For collectors, the Black Bay Pro sits in a compelling position: it offers genuine in-house manufacture, a COSC certificate, and a restrained 39mm case at a price point that keeps it accessible. The fixed bezel limits functionality compared to a rotating GMT bezel, but for travellers who want a clean second time zone read without the complexity, it is entirely sufficient. Grey-market premiums have remained moderate, a sign of healthy supply and sustained rather than speculative demand.

Beckham has long demonstrated a preference for understated, well-engineered watches over flashier complications. The Tudor Black Bay Pro ref. M79470-0001, retailing at approximately $5,000 USD, fits that profile precisely — technically serious, visually reserved, and worn without announcement.