Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated

Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001 vs Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet)

Seiko's GMT watch meets Tudor's diver

Quick Verdict

The Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001 ($250–$500) offers Seiko In-House Automatic GMT precision in the tier below the Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) ($2,500–$5,000). The 5 Sports GMT SSK001 measures 42.5mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM). The Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 200m (20 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective tiers.

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Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001

Seiko

5 Sports GMT SSK001

$250–$500

Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet)

Tudor

Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet)

$2,500–$5,000

Specifications Compared

FeatureSeiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet)
Price$250–$500$2,500–$5,000
Case Size42.5mm39mm, 14.6mm thick, 20mm lugs
MovementAutomatic Caliber 4R34 (True GMT)Tudor manufacture calibre MT5652, automatic GMT with independently adjustable hour hand, COSC chronometer, bidirectional rotor
Caliber TypeSeiko In-House Automatic GMTTudor manufacture MT5652, COSC
Power Reserve41 HoursAbout 70 hours
Water Resistance100m (10 ATM)200m (20 ATM)
CrystalHardlex CrystalDomed sapphire
Case MaterialStainless SteelStainless steel, polished and satin; fixed 24-hour graduated bezel in satin-brushed steel; screw-down crown
OriginMade in JapanSwiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Seiko's design language vs Tudor's approach

The Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001 features a Stainless Steel case at 42.5mm with Hardlex Crystal protection. The Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) offers Stainless steel, polished and satin; fixed 24-hour graduated bezel in satin-brushed steel; screw-down crown construction at 39mm, 14.6mm thick, 20mm lugs with Domed sapphire. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Tudor

Automatic Caliber 4R34 (True GMT) vs Tudor manufacture calibre MT5652, automatic GMT with independently adjustable hour hand, COSC chronometer, bidirectional rotor

The 5 Sports GMT SSK001 runs the Automatic Caliber 4R34 (True GMT) (Seiko In-House Automatic GMT, 41 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) uses the Tudor manufacture calibre MT5652, automatic GMT with independently adjustable hour hand, COSC chronometer, bidirectional rotor (Tudor manufacture MT5652, COSC, About 70 hours reserve) at standard. The Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) offers a longer power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Tudor

42.5mm vs 39mm, 14.6mm thick, 20mm lugs — different wrist presence

At 42.5mm, the 5 Sports GMT SSK001 has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) at 39mm, 14.6mm thick, 20mm lugs. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Seiko

Seiko sits in the lower tier

The Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001 sits at $250–$500 and the Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) at $2,500–$5,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the 5 Sports GMT SSK001 uses Hardlex Crystal with 41 Hours, against Domed sapphire and About 70 hours on the Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Tudor

100m (10 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM)

The 5 Sports GMT SSK001 is rated to 100m (10 ATM) while the Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) handles 200m (20 ATM). The Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Seiko

5 Sports GMT SSK001

Choose the Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001 if you prioritize Seiko In-House Automatic GMT engineering, Made in Japan craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. At $250–$500, it delivers Automatic Caliber 4R34 (True GMT) with 41 Hours power reserve.

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Tudor

Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet)

Choose the Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) if you value Tudor manufacture MT5652, COSC technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 39mm, 14.6mm thick, 20mm lugs proportions. At $2,500–$5,000, the Tudor manufacture calibre MT5652, automatic GMT with independently adjustable hour hand, COSC chronometer, bidirectional rotor with About 70 hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001 and Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Seiko bringing Made in Japan tradition while Tudor delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

For water, the Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) is rated 200 m against 100 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001 sits a band lower ($250–$500 against $2,500–$5,000), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.
The Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001 offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $250–$500. However, the Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.
Both are suitable for daily wear. The 5 Sports GMT SSK001 at 42.5mm with 100m (10 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) at 39mm, 14.6mm thick, 20mm lugs with 200m (20 ATM) is similarly capable. The 5 Sports GMT SSK001 uses Hardlex Crystal while the Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470-0001 (steel, fixed 24-hour bezel, black dial, riveted steel bracelet) uses Domed sapphire.

How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.