If you’ve been following Tudor’s motorsport connections over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed they’re not just dipping their toes in the racing world, they’re diving in headfirst. After last year’s viral Pink and Flamingo Blue chronographs had watch enthusiasts and Formula 1 fans alike scrambling to get their hands on one, Tudor has cranked things up another notch with what might be their most technically impressive Black Bay Chronograph to date. And this time, they’ve gone full throttle with motorsport materials. Say hello to the Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25.”
Carbon Fiber: Not Just for Race Cars Anymore
For decades, carbon fiber has been the holy grail material in racing and for good reason. It’s lighter than aluminum, stronger than steel, and with that unmistakable woven aesthetic that screams “performance.” While we’ve seen plenty of watchmakers dabble with carbon fiber dials, Tudor has gone all-in by crafting the entire 42mm case out of the lightweight material. And not just the case – even the fixed tachymeter bezel and the end-links connecting to the strap are carbon fiber. The result is a watch that actually shaves a fraction of a millimeter off the thickness compared to the steel models (14.3mm vs 14.4mm).
Sure, a tenth of a millimeter might not sound like much, but any racing engineer will tell you that fractions matter when you’re chasing performance. It’s also visually slimming on the wrist, with that distinctive striated carbon pattern giving the watch a completely different character than its steel siblings. The pushers and caseback are PVD-coated titanium, maintaining the lightweight theme while ensuring durability where it counts.
To top things off, Tudor has completely redesigned the case for this carbon model rather than just switching materials.
A Dial That Screams “Pit Lane”
Tudor isn’t subtle about the racing inspiration here, taking direct design cues from their partnership with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team (formerly AlphaTauri). The “racing white” opaline dial pops brilliantly against the dark carbon case, with contrasting blue accents on the second track, logo, and text that perfectly match the VCARB F1 team colors.
The detail that really caught my eye, though, is the subdials. If you look closely, you’ll see they’re actually made of carbon fiber. It’s a small touch that creates visual continuity with the case and adds some serious texture to the dial. Tudor has kept their iconic snowflake hands, but here they’re outlined in black and filled with Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova, providing excellent contrast against the white dial during the day and solid visibility at night.
And while most of the typography is in the team’s striking blue, Tudor makes one strategic deviation by printing the depth rating in bright racing red, which is the same color that tips the central chronograph seconds hand. It’s these little touches that show Tudor’s designers were thinking about balance rather than just slapping team colors on a watch.
The Heart of a Champion
Under the hood (or rather, behind the PVD-coated titanium caseback), you’ll find Tudor’s Manufacture Calibre MT5813. This is the same movement that powers the other Black Bay Chronographs, and it’s a serious piece of kit. Based on a Breitling architecture but significantly modified by Tudor, it features a column wheel construction with vertical clutch, which has become the gold standard for chronograph mechanisms.
The movement is officially COSC-certified, but Tudor goes a step further with their own standards that guarantee a running accuracy between -2 and +4 seconds per day. Add in the silicon balance spring for anti-magnetic properties and a robust 70-hour power reserve, and you’ve got a movement that’s ready for race day reliability. For the technically inclined, it vibrates at 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz) and packs 41 jewels.
Racing-Inspired Strap Game
The hybrid leather-rubber strap deserves special mention. While it might look like regular leather at first glance, it features a “tire pattern” texture and is backed with rubber for durability and comfort. The blue contrast stitching ties in perfectly with the dial accents, and Tudor has even made the end-links from carbon fiber to maintain aesthetic continuity. It’s all secured with a blackened pin buckle that keeps the overall weight down compared to a folding clasp.
Limited to 2,025 Laps
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this release is that it’s a numbered limited edition of just 2,025 pieces – a nod to the 2025 racing season. Tudor rarely does limited editions outside of charity collaborations, making this a relatively rare collector’s opportunity. Each watch features its individual number engraved on the caseback, alongside a nod to the partnership with the VCARB F1 team.
At $7,575, it’s commanding a premium over the standard steel Black Bay Chrono ($5,775), but you’re getting a completely redesigned case in an advanced material, plus exclusivity.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 42mm
Case Thickness: 14.3mm
Case Material: Carbon fiber with PVD-coated titanium pushers and caseback
Bezel: Fixed one-piece carbon fiber with tachymeter scale
Dial: “Racing white” opaline with blue accents and carbon fiber subdials
Crystal: Domed sapphire
Water Resistance: 200m (660 ft)
Movement: Manufacture Calibre MT5813 (COSC-certified)
Power Reserve: Approximately 70 hours
Strap: Hybrid leather-rubber with “tire pattern” and carbon fiber end-links
Limited Edition: Yes, 2,025 pieces individually numbered
Pricing & Availability
The TUDOR Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” is available now through authorized dealers, priced at $7,575. As a limited edition of 2,025 pieces, expect these to move quickly, especially with the Miami Grand Prix drawing attention to the VCARB F1 team partnership.
Recap
TUDOR Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25”
TUDOR brings Formula 1 engineering to the wrist with a limited-edition carbon fiber chronograph featuring a redesigned 42mm case, racing-inspired white and blue dial with carbon fiber subdials, and the reliable MT5813 movement.
