Tudor: A Time For Speed
One of the world’s most exciting collaborations in watchmaking and yacht racing has set sail, courtesy of TUDOR and Alinghi Red Bull Racing. The outcome is a blend of precision, artistry, and adrenaline in the form of the stunning Pelagos FXD and Pelagos FXD Chrono “Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition” timepieces—watches that capture the thrill of modern-day yacht racing while celebrating TUDOR’s ocean-going legacy. You can get hands on this legacy piece at your nearest Partridge Jewellers store.
To understand what all the fuss is about with these latest TUDOR offerings, let’s wind back the clock to the founding of TUDOR almost a century ago in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, who also gave us Rolex. His brilliant idea? To offer Swiss-made watches with uncompromised quality, utility, and toughness. Today, TUDOR continues to do what it does best—creating watches that weave in durability, style, a dose of heritage, and a lot of focus on future innovation.
The TUDOR Pelagos range dates back to 2012 when TUDOR decided to shake things up in the diving watch segment. The original Pelagos was a marvel of precision engineering and watchmaking. Sporting a titanium case, a ceramic bezel, a helium escape valve, and water resistance of up to 500 meters, Reference 25500TN was built for the deep—seriously deep.
In 2015, TUDOR ratcheted things up another notch by introducing the second generation of Pelagos watches. Featuring an in-house movement, the Caliber MT5612, which boasted a 70-hour power reserve, the Pelagos was firmly cemented as a coveted option in the dive watch world. Then came the Pelagos LHD in 2016, with a left-handed crown for all the left-handed watch lovers.
The Pelagos 39mm was unleashed in 2022, a watch that combined the best features of its predecessors with a more wearable size. With a case diameter of 39mm and a thickness of just 11.8mm, it was perfect for those who wanted a bit of stealth with their style. It also ditched the helium escape valve and date display for a cleaner look.
Now, the latest chapter in the Pelagos story introduces the Pelagos FXD (Reference 25707KN) and Pelagos FXD Chrono (Reference 25807KN), inspired by the AC75 racing yacht, the epitome of engineering magic. This 20.7-meter carbon fiber marvel with a 26.5-meter mast and hydrofoil blades allows it to reach mind-boggling speeds of up to 53.3 knots (about 98 km/h). It’s the kind of yacht that is more aeronautical than nautical. The watches mimic this high-tech construction with carbon composite, titanium, and stainless steel cases. The FXD model features a 42mm case, while the Chrono bumps it up to 43mm. Both have bidirectional rotatable bezels, perfect for timing everything from race starts to tea breaks.
The dials are a deep, nautical blue, with luminescent ceramic composite hour markers that glow like a lighthouse on a foggy night. The Chrono adds a splash of red around the counters, giving it a sporty flair. The straps are made from a single-piece fabric woven in a “Team Blue” jacquard pattern with red accents.
The FXD is powered by the Caliber MT5602, offering a 70-hour power reserve and COSC certification. The Chrono features the Caliber MT5813.
Beyond these technical marvels, TUDOR joins Alinghi Red Bull Racing as the Main Partner in their quest for the 37th America’s Cup, the world’s most prestigious sailing event. This partnership embodies vision, innovation, and audacity—qualities essential for conquering the seas. Alinghi Red Bull Racing unites the legendary two-time America’s Cup winner, Alinghi, with Red Bull, a powerhouse in global sports, sailing under the Société Nautique de Genève’s flag.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing, the Challenger for the 37th America’s Cup, brings together two sporting icons driven by a quest for peak performance. Alinghi, a two-time America’s Cup winner in 2003 and 2007, returns to competition with Red Bull, fresh off their F1 World Champion win. This association boasts a renewed team and a fresh approach, featuring a 100% Swiss Made sailing crew and an international team comprising fifteen nationalities.
So, what does all this mean for watch enthusiasts and yacht racing fans alike? It means you’re witnessing a collaboration that blends tradition with innovative craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. The TUDOR Pelagos FXD and FXD Chrono “Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition” are more than just watches—they’re a testament to the power of a bit of extreme adventure, a nod to the past, but a full-steam-ahead pursuit of the future.
You can find the TUDOR Pelagos FXD here and Pelagos FXD Chronograph here.
Tudor watches are available in store across New Zealand at Partridge Jewellers.
The TUDOR Pelagos range dates back to 2012 when TUDOR decided to shake things up in the diving watch segment. The original Pelagos was a marvel of precision engineering and watchmaking. Sporting a titanium case, a ceramic bezel, a helium escape valve, and water resistance of up to 500 meters, Reference 25500TN was built for the deep—seriously deep.
In 2015, TUDOR ratcheted things up another notch by introducing the second generation of Pelagos watches. Featuring an in-house movement, the Caliber MT5612, which boasted a 70-hour power reserve, the Pelagos was firmly cemented as a coveted option in the dive watch world. Then came the Pelagos LHD in 2016, with a left-handed crown for all the left-handed watch lovers.
The Pelagos 39mm was unleashed in 2022, a watch that combined the best features of its predecessors with a more wearable size. With a case diameter of 39mm and a thickness of just 11.8mm, it was perfect for those who wanted a bit of stealth with their style. It also ditched the helium escape valve and date display for a cleaner look.
Now, the latest chapter in the Pelagos story introduces the Pelagos FXD (Reference 25707KN) and Pelagos FXD Chrono (Reference 25807KN), inspired by the AC75 racing yacht, the epitome of engineering magic. This 20.7-meter carbon fiber marvel with a 26.5-meter mast and hydrofoil blades allows it to reach mind-boggling speeds of up to 53.3 knots (about 98 km/h). It’s the kind of yacht that is more aeronautical than nautical. The watches mimic this high-tech construction with carbon composite, titanium, and stainless steel cases. The FXD model features a 42mm case, while the Chrono bumps it up to 43mm. Both have bidirectional rotatable bezels, perfect for timing everything from race starts to tea breaks.
The dials are a deep, nautical blue, with luminescent ceramic composite hour markers that glow like a lighthouse on a foggy night. The Chrono adds a splash of red around the counters, giving it a sporty flair. The straps are made from a single-piece fabric woven in a “Team Blue” jacquard pattern with red accents.
The FXD is powered by the Caliber MT5602, offering a 70-hour power reserve and COSC certification. The Chrono features the Caliber MT5813.
Beyond these technical marvels, TUDOR joins Alinghi Red Bull Racing as the Main Partner in their quest for the 37th America’s Cup, the world’s most prestigious sailing event. This partnership embodies vision, innovation, and audacity—qualities essential for conquering the seas. Alinghi Red Bull Racing unites the legendary two-time America’s Cup winner, Alinghi, with Red Bull, a powerhouse in global sports, sailing under the Société Nautique de Genève’s flag.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing, the Challenger for the 37th America’s Cup, brings together two sporting icons driven by a quest for peak performance. Alinghi, a two-time America’s Cup winner in 2003 and 2007, returns to competition with Red Bull, fresh off their F1 World Champion win. This association boasts a renewed team and a fresh approach, featuring a 100% Swiss Made sailing crew and an international team comprising fifteen nationalities.
So, what does all this mean for watch enthusiasts and yacht racing fans alike? It means you’re witnessing a collaboration that blends tradition with innovative craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. The TUDOR Pelagos FXD and FXD Chrono “Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition” are more than just watches—they’re a testament to the power of a bit of extreme adventure, a nod to the past, but a full-steam-ahead pursuit of the future.
You can find the TUDOR Pelagos FXD here and Pelagos FXD Chronograph here.
Tudor watches are available in store across New Zealand at Partridge Jewellers.