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…
Watchmaker Richard Mille is introducing a brand new model in the form of the RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne. As its name suggests, the watch draws on the influence of aeronautics. Featuring a 5N red-gold and Carbon TPT case, the watch integrates a tourbillon and is a limited edition of only 50 pieces. Case & Materials…
Watchmakers Maximilian Büsser & Friends have released a new watch in the form of two editions – the Horological Machine N°10 Bulldog, inspired by the bulldog. One edition is the Version Ti with a grade 5 titanium case, which is presented on a blue calf-leather strap using Velcro and a titanium buckle. Alternatively, the Version…
In line with its CEO's current focus on “hyper horology”, watch brand Roger Dubuis is introducing a new Excalibur Double Flying Tourbillon model. The model aims to optimise all of its components in order to match with its wearers' lifestyle, from design and performance to wearability. For this reason, it features a reinvented flying tourbillon,…
Exactly 75 years ago, the first Porsche sports car was registered in 1948. Ferry Porsche wanted a light, efficient sports car. Since one of that kind did not exist according to his ideas, he simply built one himself. Thus, the Porsche 356 "No. 1" Roadster was presented to the world on June 8, 1948. Shortly…
With the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton, the brand is presenting a skeletonised version of the Overseas with tourbillon. In addition to a variant with a pink gold case, the house is also launching a model made entirely of titanium - a first for the brand. The calibre 2160 powering the watch was skeletonised and…
Montblanc launched the Iced Sea Collection for the first time in 2022, with dials inspired by the glacial ice of the Mer de Glace in the Mont Blanc massif. A technique called gratté-boisé was used for the first time for the 'iced' dials. As the watches have been so popular, the Iced Sea is now…
The striking design of the new Patravi ScubaTec Black was inspired by the Black Manta Special Edition, that was introduced in summer 2019. It will be available starting from April 2020. Not only the design is inspired by the Black Manta Special Edition, the new sports watch is also dedicated to protecting the oceans and…
At the Geneva watch fair SIHH in January of this year the Italian brand Panerai presented a new ‘Submersible‘, which is dedicated to the French free-diving world champion Guillaume Néry. After breaking several personal records in 2015, Néry retired from professional diving sports and became an ambassador of the seas. To honor his achievements, the luxury…
Zenith expands its Chronomaster Sport collection with a new gemstone-set white gold model. The Chronomaster Sport Rainbow merges the functionality of a chronograph with the luxury of a colourful gemstone-set bezel. Following the rose gold version launched last year, this watch showcases Zenith's mastery in blending fine watchmaking with exquisite gem-setting. Case The case of…
Breitling has announced a collaboration with the motorbike manufacturer Triumph and is presenting the Top Time Triumph. The watch has an ice blue dial, which harks back to a historic model. A limited edition motorbike, the Triumph Speed Twin Breitling, is also released. It in turn, features the same ice blue colour and showcases a…
An interesting story lies behind the Tourbillon Souscription. Despite quietly retiring to the mountains in recent years, watchmaker Daniel Roth was once one of the best-known men of his craft. With names such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Audemars Piguet under his belt, Roth was an educator as well as an innovator. A major milestone for Roth…
Panerai expands the Luminor Marina collection with a new interpretation made of DMLS titanium and Carbotech: Luminor Marina DMLS 44 mm (PAM01662). Panerai Luminor Marina DMLS 44 mm (PAM01662) The light and very resilient case is made of titanium which is manufactured by the technology known as ‘Direct Metal Laser Sintering’ (DMLS). This process of futuristic 3D printing…