Tudor is consistently proving to us that they’re the Rolex of the past. Not only with their retro re-issues and their propensity to delve into more creative design features, but also with cool commemorative special editions with large corporations. Just like Rolex used to create limited runs of Dominos Pizza Air-King’s, Tudor is on their third iteration of an exclusive employee only airline special edition, this time being with Air Canada TCA.
As is with these types of employee only releases, this is not a redesign of the popular and iconic Black Bay 58, but rather a tribute to Tudor’s connection to aviation in combination with Air Canada’s 90th Anniversary since their founding in 1937. Our beloved BB58 GMT remains the same in case shape, sizing, and specs, but the dial is now adorned with Air-Canada’s emblem located centrally on the dial at the 6 o’clock position. The positioning of the emblem is more in-line with Air France’s special release, certainly more aesthetically pleasing than the off kilter Delta Air Line’s 9 o’clock position as you’ll see in the image below.
In addition to the exclusive AC dial, the caseback is getting special treatment with a rather large and extravagant TCA maple leaf engraving. In the center the TCA abbreviation can be found, at the top there’s the option to have the employees name engraved, and the bottom section bares the TCA founding year EST. 1937, with the numbered run etched to the right of it.
From my current understanding, all Air Canada employees from office staff to Captains were eligible to pre-purchase this watch, with the deadline of April 30th already being passed. Orders could be placed through Independent Jewellers Ltd., a Tudor authorized dealer based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and delivery is expected to be no later than the end of this year.
We will have an example of this watch in our studio for a full hands-on review shortly after it delivers, courtesy of my cousin who is a Captain for Air Canada, with his order successfully placed on April 7.
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