What Links The New Tudor Black Bay Chrono ‘Carbon 25’ to Formula 1
In recent years, Formula 1 has known only one trajectory: upwards. Television ratings have reached record highs, the sport’s Instagram account boasts over 34 million followers, and hit formats like Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix — offering a behind-the-scenes look at the teams, fierce rivalries, and the emotions that define the sport — have turned its drivers into relatable, charismatic personalities.
Seven seasons have now delved into the defining moments of recent seasons — and there has been no shortage of drama. Lewis Hamilton’s sensational switch to Ferrari has officially marked the end of his iconic partnership with Mercedes. Max Verstappen has pushed his Red Bull car to the front of the grid with extraordinary precision, injecting fresh momentum into the series. And rising stars such as Oscar Piastri, who has been battling his way to the top in the shadow of his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, provide a compelling narrative for future instalments.
This growing allure of Formula 1 is now making itself felt in the world of mechanical watchmaking. Reflecting this connection is the new Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25”, which draws design inspiration from the Visa Cash App Racing Bull Formula 1 car sponsored by Tudor — translated directly onto the dial and caseback. Here’s a closer look at the details behind this new timepiece.
A Union of Watchmaking and Formula 1
At this year’s Watches and Wonders — the world’s most prestigious watch fair — it became abundantly clear that the Formula 1 trend has firmly entered the realm of mechanical timekeeping. TAG Heuer’s stand was flanked by two full-size F1 cars, radiating the aura of motorsport. At the centre of IWC’s booth stood the original race car set to appear in the upcoming Brad Pitt film F1. Tudor also showcased a Formula 1 car, accompanied by racing suits from its partner team, Visa Cash App Racing Bull.
Beyond the fair, other brands are embracing the sport in similar ways. H. Moser & Cie supports Alpine Motorsports, while Girard-Perregaux partners with Aston Martin, offering their clients exclusive motorsport experiences. Richard Mille is a notable exception, sponsoring not just one but two teams — McLaren and Ferrari — and ensuring its watches are prominently displayed on the wrists of drivers.
What links the new Tudor Black Bay Chrono ‘Carbon 25’ to Formula 1
The Case
Formula 1 plays a pivotal role in Tudor’s latest release. In tribute to the pinnacle of motorsport, Tudor has chosen its Black Bay Chrono to combine certain elements of its first chronograph — the Oysterdate from 1970 — with visual codes of the Visa Cash App Racing Bull team, presented here in a limited edition version of its dive watch.
To reduce the weight of the case, Tudor has utilised a fixed tachymetre bezel, as well as a case, crown, and chronograph pushers — all crafted from carbon fibre. This clearly nods to Formula 1 technology: in today’s race cars, carbon fibre is employed virtually everywhere that requires low weight and high strength. Most notably, the monocoque — a single-piece structural chassis that also serves as the driver’s safety cell — is made entirely from carbon fibre.
The case of this new model measures 42 mm in diameter and has been reshaped with a flatter profile compared to its stainless-steel counterparts. The titanium caseback, meanwhile, offers the clearest reference to Formula 1: engraved with a bird’s-eye view of the Visa Cash App Racing Bull Formula 1 car, it also features the unique serial number of the watch, which is limited to 2,025 pieces. Subtle aerodynamic lines around the engraving reinforce the impression of speed so inherent to the world of racing.
The new model continues the concept introduced with the first watch, the Black Bay Ceramic Blue, which was launched in 2024 as a nod to the racing team. It featured a matte black ceramic case with a diameter of 41 mm, paired with a domed dial in a striking shade of blue inspired by the colours of the Visa Cash App RB team.
The Dial
The domed dial is dominated by a colour combination that draws a further connection to Tudor’s sponsored Formula 1 team. A tone referred to as “Racing White” is accented by a shade of blue that encircles the dial, beginning at the seconds track. This very combination features not only in the 2025 season livery of the Racing Bull F1 car, but also on the race suits of the team’s two drivers, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar.
Like other models in the Black Bay line, the Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” adopts Tudor’s distinctive angular hands — known as “Snowflake” hands — which first appeared in the brand’s catalogue in 1969. On this model, both the hands and the hour markers are outlined in black and coated with Super-LumiNova for optimal legibility.
Additional vintage-inspired elements include the 45-minute chronograph counter and the date display at six o’clock — both design cues taken from Tudor’s very first generation of chronographs. The dial’s composition is further enhanced by two recessed subdials, whose carbon fibre-style texture echoes the case and offers a striking contrast against the predominantly white backdrop. Only two red accents interrupt this appearance: the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, and a line of text above the date window noting the watch’s water resistance of 200 metres.
The Movement
Inside the Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” beats the Manufacture chronograph calibre MT5813. Based on Breitling’s calibre 01, the movement has been enhanced with a regulating organ developed in-house by Tudor. Featuring a tungsten rotor with cut-out sections, as well as satin-brushed and sandblasted finishes, the design remains faithful to previous Tudor movements — complete with a mix of sandblasted and polished surfaces and laser decorations on the bridges and mainplate.
Offering a power reserve of 70 hours and fitted with a silicon balance spring, the MT5813 has been officially certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). While COSC standards allow for an average daily variation of –4 to +6 seconds per day for uncased movements, Tudor claims an accuracy of –2 to +4 seconds per day for the fully cased calibre.
Price & Availability
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” is presented on a strap featuring carbon fibre elements and is now available in a limited edition of 2,025 pieces worldwide. The retail price is €7,350.
Before we even get into the details of this special edition, it is important to realise that there is hardly any other German watch brand that enjoys such a high level of recognition among watch enthusiasts and non-watch enthusiasts alike as Junghans from the Black Forest. I would argue that, at least among people who…
With LM101 MB&F x H. Moser and the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F, Edouard Meylan of H. Moser & Cie. and Maximilian Büsser of MB&F have created two watch models that have emerged through the long friendship of the two men. Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F and LM101 MB&F x H. Moser…
Tudor‘s new model shows off a part of the brand’s history, that has only been firmly known until now. The Black Bay P01 (Ref. 70150), which was introduced for the first time on the watch fair Baselworld 2019, is inspired by a prototype from the late 1960’s and has been proposed the US Navy. The Swiss watch…
The new Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8 Days – Gübelin Special Edition marks a noteworthy collaboration between the Roman luxury brand Bulgari and the long-established Swiss jeweller Gübelin. This special edition combines the octagonal case shape of the Octo Finissimo collection with blue accents created exclusively for this edition. The skeletonised dial offers a clear view…
The A. Lange & Söhne LANGE 1 PERPETUAL CALENDAR integrates the eponymous complication into the iconic decentralised dial design. Accordingly, the watch offers displays for the date, day of the week, month and leap year, as well as a moonphase. There is a choice between a pink-gold case with a solid silver dial and a…
Watch manufacturer Zenith presents a new addition to the futuristic DEFY collection. The Zenith DEFY Skyline has an angular, architectural stainless steel case and its dial is reminiscent of the starry sky above a city. The watch appears in no less than three variants with either a blue, black or silver dial. With its 1/10…
The Master Ultra Thin collection is Jaeger-LeCoultre's answer to a modern dress watch, in which the ultra-thin movement always takes centre stage alongside the elegant aesthetics. This year at Watches & Wonders 2024, the watchmaker is presenting three new variations of the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar - with a revised case and dial design…
Lucerne-based manufacture Carl F. Bucherer is introducing a new edition of its COSC-certified Patravi chronograph: the Patravi TravelTec Color Edition Four Seasons. Four brightly coloured versions are available – including a yellow (summer), orange (autumn), green (spring), and or blue (winter) watch. Notably, the Patravi watch has a large case diameter of 46.6 mm, and…
The Roger Dubuis brand is undergoing a transformation, with its strategy honing in on rare, high-end watches in small quantities, building the brand around the Excalibur line. Just earlier this year, as CEO Nicola Andreatta revealed to us over lunch, “[We] are in the process of reinterpreting and reworking some of the most important complications…
With the Wempe Iron Walker Chronograph 46 in its three variations, the watch manufacturer of the eponymous jeweller demonstrates its prowess with carbon. The watches have a 46 mm case made of the composite material and a clear dial design. Inside is a chronograph from Sellita in chronometer specification. The watches differ by their accent…
Chopard is introducing a new watch: the L.U.C XP IL Sarto Kiton timepiece. To create the wristwatch, Chopard collaborated with Italian tailor Kiton Ateliers. The ultra-thin creation is limited to 100 pieces and is presented on a slate-coloured cashmere strap lined with red alligator leather. The L.U.C XP IL Sarto Kiton is housed in a…
A depth of 4,000 metres or 400 bar – that is how much the Oris AquisPro 4000m can withstand. The new model is the most resilient diver's watch in Oris' portfolio to date. While a wave pattern on the dial visually encourages its wearer to venture into the deep, a robust titanium case and a patented ceramic…
Angelus presents two new editions of the Instrument de Vitesse. The Indianapolis and Silverstone editions feature a 39 mm steel case, a manual winding movement with a one-minute chronograph, and a tachymetric scale. Both watches are produced in a limited edition of 25 pieces and come with a matching nubuck strap. Case The case of…