Tudor Unveils Black Bay Ceramic ‘Blue’ F1 Watch

On Wednesday, Tudor introduced the Black Bay Ceramic “Blue,” a new timepiece that reinforces its strategic alliance with the Visa Cash App RB (V-CARB) Formula 1 team. This latest addition to the Black Bay series combines advanced technological features with subtle allusions to Tudor’s rich heritage. The watch is notably worn by V-CARB drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, symbolizing their partnership with the renowned Swiss watchmaker.

The Black Bay Ceramic “Blue” is distinguished by its 41mm matte black ceramic case, which is both stylish and durable. The case is complemented by a unidirectional rotating bezel made of black-PVD-treated 316L steel. This bezel includes a 60-minute graduated disc crafted from black ceramic, featuring a sunray satin finish and precise engraved markers and numerals. The watch also features a screw-down winding crown in black-PVD-treated 316L steel, embossed with the Tudor rose in relief, and a circular satin-brushed steel winding crown tube. Designed to withstand the rigors of both daily wear and extreme conditions, the watch boasts a waterproof rating of 200 meters.

The timepiece’s blue domed dial is a highlight, paired with white applied hour markers that match the color scheme of the V-CARB Formula 1 car. This design choice not only enhances the watch’s aesthetic appeal but also reinforces the connection to the V-CARB team’s racing identity. Tudor’s signature “snowflake” hands are coated with Grade X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova, ensuring high visibility in low-light environments and under challenging race conditions.

Inside, the Black Bay Ceramic “Blue” is powered by Tudor’s proprietary caliber MT5602-1U automatic movement, which delivers a robust 70-hour power reserve. This movement features a screw-adjustable variable inertia balance and a non-magnetic silicon balance spring, operating at a frequency of 28,000 beats per hour (4 Hz). Both the movement and the watch case are COSC and METAS certified, underscoring their precision and reliability. The METAS certification also attests to the watch’s ability to maintain accurate timekeeping even when exposed to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss, surpassing typical industry standards.

The Black Bay Ceramic “Blue” is presented with two strap options: a hybrid leather and rubber strap featuring exclusive stitching and a folding clasp in black PVD-treated 316L steel, and an additional black fabric strap with a blue band and a black PVD-treated 316L steel buckle. These strap options allow for versatility and comfort, accommodating both casual and formal settings.

Tudor’s involvement with the V-CARB team began earlier this year when the team revealed its new Formula 1 car, prominently displaying the Tudor logo on its nose. During this event, Tsunoda and Ricciardo were seen wearing Tudor timepieces alongside their new team uniforms, featuring the Tudor shield. At the time, Tudor did not disclose detailed information about the specific model, adding an element of anticipation to the official release.

The partnership with V-CARB marks Tudor’s return to motorsport sponsorship, echoing its historic involvement with racing teams dating back to the late 1960s. Tudor’s previous sponsorships include the Tudor Watch Racing Team and more recent support for the IMSA Tudor United SportsCar Championship, highlighting the brand’s longstanding commitment to the world of racing.

The V-CARB team, which represents a rebranding of the AlphaTauri team, has a storied history in Formula 1. Originally established as Scuderia Toro Rosso to cultivate emerging talent, the team was rebranded as Scuderia AlphaTauri in 2020 and achieved a notable victory at the Italian Grand Prix in its inaugural season. Under the V-CARB name and with Tudor’s sponsorship, the team aims to ascend to the top ranks of Formula 1. In the 2024 season, Tsunoda is positioned in 10th place with 19 points, while Ricciardo holds 13th place with 11 points among the 21 drivers competing this year.

The Tudor Black Bay Ceramic “Blue” is priced at $5,150, reflecting its high-end craftsmanship and association with the elite world of Formula 1 racing.