Benyar Automatic Dive Watch Ref. BY-5188 (Tudor Black Bay homage)
Dive Watch (Tool Watch subcategory) · Benyar (BY), an affordable Chinese fashion and homaging watch brand positioned in the entry-level budget market segment
Period: Modern Luxury / Homage Era (2010s-present) with vintage dive watch cues
Type
Dive Watch (Tool Watch subcategory)
Brand
Benyar (BY), an affordable Chinese fashion and homaging watch brand positioned in the entry-level budget market segment
Movement
Automatic / self-winding, typically utilizes an affordable Chinese mechanical movement such as a Seagull ST16 or Miyota 8215 derivative, running at 21,600 vph with approximately 40 hours of power reserve
Dimensions
Case diameter: 40-42 mm, Case thickness: 14 mm, Lug-to-lug: 48 mm, Lug width: 20 mm. Wears similarly to classic sports dive watches.
Description
The Benyar Automatic Dive Watch is a budget-friendly timepiece heavily inspired by iconic vintage dive watch designs, most notably the Tudor Black Bay line. It features a striking deep blue colorway, bold geometric hour markers, and signature snowflake hands. Built as an accessible everyday tool watch, it combines retro aesthetic appeal with modern automatic mechanical convenience at a fraction of the cost of luxury equivalents.
Key Features
Snowflake hands, vintage tropic-style rubber strap, bold applied indices, budget automatic movement, dive bezel with 12 o'clock pip
Dial Description
Matte blue dial with large applied geometric hour markers (square, triangle at 12, rectangle at 6 and 9) filled with faux-patina or white luminous material. Features classic snowflake hands reminiscent of vintage Tudor divers. Dial text includes the Benyar logo, 'AUTOMATIC', 'WATER RESISTANT', and '10 BAR/100M'
Case Material
Stainless steel (316L) with high-polish finishing on the case flanks and bevels
Crystal Type
Hardened mineral crystal or flat synthetic sapphire with minimal distortion
Bezel Details
Blue unidirectional rotating dive bezel with silver-toned Arabic numerals at 10-minute intervals and stick markers, featuring a luminous pip at the 12 o'clock triangle
Crown & Pushers
Standard fluted pull-push or screw-down crown located at the 3 o'clock position, stamped or signed subtly with brand insignia
Bracelet or Strap
Textured blue rubber strap with a geometric diamond pattern and pin buckle, styled after vintage tropic rubber dive straps
Caseback Details
Screw-down case back with central branding and basic technical specifications engraved
Movement Type
Automatic / self-winding, typically utilizes an affordable Chinese mechanical movement such as a Seagull ST16 or Miyota 8215 derivative, running at 21,600 vph with approximately 40 hours of power reserve
Water Resistance
Rated to 10 BAR / 100 meters / 330 feet, suitable for swimming and snorkeling, though not recommended for professional scuba or saturation diving without proper gasket checks
Origin & Provenance
Made in China, utilizing outsourced mass-produced mechanical movements and components designed to mimic luxury Swiss dive watches
Age Estimate
Modern production, circa 2020-present
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury watch design, allowing enthusiasts on a tight budget to experience the proportions and visual charm of multi-thousand-dollar luxury dive watches
Condition Notes
Appears to be in excellent, lightly worn condition with clean crystal, intact bezel insert, and minimal scuffing on the polished steel case
Value Estimate
Retail and secondary market value ranges between $40 to $90 USD, heavily dependent on sales platforms and promotional discounts
Care & Maintenance
Avoid heavy water immersion despite the 10 bar rating unless pressure tested. Keep away from strong magnetic fields. Service intervals are generally non-cost-effective due to the low initial price; movements are typically replaced rather than repaired
Similar Watches
Tudor Black Bay 41, Steinhart Ocean One, Pagani Design PD-1671, Invicta Pro Diver
Interesting Facts
Benyar is part of a massive surge of Chinese micro-brands and budget manufacturers offering heavily inspired homages of high-end Swiss luxury watches, making mechanical watch aesthetics accessible to mass-market consumers