Tudor Black Bay Carbon 25
From Asphalt to Wrist: Tudor’s Carbon-Packed Chrono Rips onto the Grid
The engines were already revving in Miami — not just on the track, but in the horological paddock too. With the buzz of Formula 1 in the air and the Racing Bulls rolling out in full pink regalia, watch spotters were convinced Tudor had a pastel surprise up its sleeve. Instead, the brand threw a curveball that ditched the colour play and focused on something far more technical: carbon.
Enter the Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” — a watch that doesn’t just flirt with motorsport aesthetics, it commits hard. This is the first time Tudor’s brought carbon fibre to its chronograph collection, and the result is a leaner, racier take on their familiar timekeeper.
Swapping out stainless steel for a stealthy forged carbon case, the new Chrono stretches out to 42mm (up from the usual 41), but actually shaves off a touch of thickness, sitting at 14.3mm. Wrapped in black with PVD-coated titanium hardware — crown, pushers, caseback — the watch looks every bit the track-ready tool it was designed to be. It even keeps its cool underwater, with 200 metres of water resistance.
The dial has a gritty, road-surface texture — like freshly laid tarmac — adding a layer of depth and drama that makes the whole design feel more dynamic and deliberate.
The dial is where the VCARB team’s DNA really kicks in. There’s a sharp contrast between a matte opaline base and an electric blue outer track, with matching text and indices. A bold flash of red in the depth rating and chrono seconds hand adds a final lap of energy. Carbon fibre subdials give a nod to the case material, and a black date wheel keeps the palette tight.
Legibility stays top-tier thanks to black-edged indices and hands, filled with crisp white lume. It's a vibrant dial, but not loud — the visual equivalent of a well-tuned engine.
The strap follows suit: a fusion of rubber and leather, detailed with a tire tread motif and blue contrast stitching. Even the end links are carbon, because when you commit to a theme, you don’t skimp.
Powering the watch is the COSC-rated MT5813 movement — the same engine under the hood of the standard Black Bay Chrono. Based on Breitling’s B01, it delivers a 70-hour power reserve, a column wheel mechanism, and silicon tech for added reliability. It’s accurate to -2/+4 seconds a day, which is about as precise as pit lane choreography.
Limited to just 2,025 pieces, each Carbon 25 is individually numbered on the caseback. The asking price? £6,260.00, making it one of the priciest watches Tudor has released, and one of the most technically ambitious.
Carbon fibre on the wrist just hits different. It's lightweight, stealthy, and with a bit of that “F1 tech chic” edge. The Alinghi Red Bull carbon definitely nailed the formula, and it’s great to see Tudor follow suit here. This Carbon 25 looks like it would wear effortlessly for a 42mm, especially compared to the more slabby feel of the steel Chrono.
As for the price creep… yeah, it's starting to get noticeable. £6,260.00 isn’t outrageous in the grand scheme of luxury chronographs, but when you remember Tudor’s whole pitch not so long ago was “Rolex vibes without the Rolex price,” it makes you pause. They’re clearly flexing their technical chops now — carbon cases, MT calibres, collabs galore — but the value equation is shifting.
Omega’s definitely already crossed that threshold in a lot of people’s minds. Let’s hope Tudor doesn’t follow them too closely into that territory.