A Tudor reference number identifies the model, and its letters usually tell you the color of the bezel or dial: 79030N is the Black Bay Fifty-Eight with a black bezel, and 79030B is the same watch in blue. The longer form, such as M79030N-0001, adds the exact version, most often the bracelet or strap. Learn the handful of patterns below and you can tell two similar Tudors apart from the number alone.
That is useful when you buy. Tudor makes the Black Bay in several sizes and many colors, and the names overlap. The reference does not. We have 1,058 Tudor watches in stock, and every listing shows its reference under the title.
How to read a Tudor reference number: the three parts
Take M79030N-0001:
| Part | Example | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | 79030 | The model and case |
| Letters | N | Bezel or dial color, sometimes the material |
| Version | -0001 | The exact variant, usually the bracelet or strap |
The M at the front is simply how Tudor writes its catalog numbers; sellers often leave it out. So "79030N", "M79030N" and "M79030N-0001" can all describe the same watch, with more or less detail.
The model number
Most current Tudor sports watches have a five-digit model number. Those that begin with 79 belong to the Black Bay family, and those that begin with 25 belong to the Pelagos family:
| Reference | Model |
|---|---|
| 79030N | Black Bay Fifty-Eight, 39 mm, black |
| 79030B | Black Bay Fifty-Eight, 39 mm, blue |
| 79000N | Black Bay 54, 37 mm |
| 79360N | Black Bay Chrono, steel |
| 79830RB | Black Bay GMT, red and blue bezel |
| 79470 | Black Bay Pro |
| 25600TN | Pelagos, titanium, black |
| 25600TB | Pelagos, titanium, blue |
| 25407N | Pelagos 39 |
| 25610TNL | Pelagos LHD, with the crown on the left |
These are also the Tudor references we stock most: 63 of the Black Bay Chrono 79360N and 41 of the Black Bay GMT 79830RB at the moment.
The letters
The letters after the digits are short for French or English words, and a few come up again and again:
- N (noir): black
- B (bleu): blue
- R: red or burgundy, as on the Black Bay with a burgundy bezel
- RB: red and blue, the two-color bezel of the Black Bay GMT
- T: titanium, as in the Pelagos 25600TN and 25600TB
- L: the left-hand-crown Pelagos LHD
A reference with no letters, such as 79470 for the Black Bay Pro, simply has one version of the bezel.
The version after the dash
The four digits after the dash separate versions of the same watch. On most Black Bay models they tell you what the watch is worn on: a steel bracelet, a leather strap or a fabric strap each have their own number. On models with several dials, they can also identify the dial.
This matters for price. A watch delivered on the steel bracelet usually costs more than the same watch on a strap, and a bracelet is expensive to add afterward. If a listing gives only the short reference, look at the photographs or ask us which version it is.
The new, longer Tudor references
Since 2023, some new Tudor models have a different kind of reference, for example M7941A1A0NU-0001 for the 41 mm Black Bay in black, or M7939A1A0RU for the Black Bay 58 GMT. These longer numbers belong to the watches certified as Master Chronometers by the Swiss institute METAS, which tests accuracy and resistance to magnetic fields.
You can still read the start: 7941 is the 41 mm Black Bay and 7939 the 39 mm case. The letters near the end keep their meaning too: N for black, R for the burgundy or red versions. The middle of the number is internal coding and is best looked up as a whole.
If you see one of these long references, you are looking at one of the newest generation of watches, with the METAS certification and, on most models, the T-fit clasp that adjusts without tools.
Reference number or serial number?
They are different things:
- The reference number identifies the model. Every Black Bay Fifty-Eight in black shares 79030N.
- The serial number identifies one individual watch.
On a modern Tudor, both are engraved on the case between the lugs, hidden by the bracelet or strap, and both appear on the warranty card. When you compare prices, compare watches with the same reference. When you check that a watch and its papers belong together, compare the serial numbers.
Using the reference when you buy
- Check the size first. Black Bay Fifty-Eight (39 mm), Black Bay 54 (37 mm) and Black Bay (41 mm) are different watches with similar names. Our guide to the Black Bay 58, 54 and 41 compares them.
- Read the letters. They confirm the color you see in the photographs.
- Ask about the version. Bracelet, leather and fabric versions are priced differently.
- Match the papers. The reference on the warranty card should be the one on the listing.
You can type any reference into the search box on our site to find the exact watch. For the wider picture, see our guides to the Tudor Black Bay family and to Tudor and Rolex, or browse the Black Bay and Pelagos watches we have in stock.
Frequently asked questions
What does the N mean in a Tudor reference?
N stands for noir, the French word for black. In 79030N it marks the black version of the Black Bay Fifty-Eight; the blue version is 79030B.
What does the M at the start of a Tudor reference mean?
It is part of Tudor's catalog format and does not describe the watch. M79030N and 79030N are the same model; sellers often drop the M.
Where is the reference number on a Tudor watch?
On a modern Tudor it is engraved on the case between the lugs, under the bracelet or strap, and it is printed on the warranty card.
Why do some new Tudor references look so different?
Models certified as Master Chronometers by METAS, introduced from 2023, use a longer reference such as M7941A1A0NU-0001. The first four digits still identify the case.
Does the same reference mean the same watch?
Yes, as it left the factory. A pre-owned watch may have had its strap or bracelet changed, so check the photographs as well as the number.
Is Watchflix NYC an official Tudor retailer?
No. We are an independent retailer and are not affiliated with Tudor. Every watch is checked by our specialist before it ships.
