Sailing the Seas of Innovation - The New TUDOR Pelagos FXD Watches

SAILING THE SEAS OF INNOVATION

THE NEW TUDOR PELAGOS FXD AND PELAGOS FXD CHRONO 

'ALINGHI RED BULL RACING EDITION' WATCHES

TUDOR is introducing two new models, the Pelagos FXD and Pelagos FXD Chrono "Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition," to commemorate its partnership with Alinghi Red Bull Racing. These watches, inspired by yacht racing, showcase a fusion of daring design and cutting-edge technology. The cases of the watches are crafted using a combination of carbon composite, titanium, and stainless steel, while the Manufacture Calibres ensure precise timekeeping.

The release of the Pelagos FXD "Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition" marks significant milestones for TUDOR beyond the watches themselves. TUDOR's collaboration with Alinghi Red Bull Racing, which began in 2022, represents their first foray into the competitive yacht racing world. In a sport where victory demands a bold human spirit and advanced technology, the watches reflect this philosophy by incorporating a high-tech carbon composite—TUDOR's first use of such material—alongside titanium and stainless steel, reminiscent of an AC75 hydrofoil racing yacht. Additionally, it is the first instance in which TUDOR has integrated a chronograph Calibre into a fixed strap-bars case.

The Pelagos FXD and Pelagos FXD Chrono models exemplify TUDOR's fearless and innovative approach. They embody the shared vision of TUDOR and Alinghi Red Bull Racing, two distinct entities united in their commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing unconventional ideas.

The AC75 yacht of Alinghi Red Bull Racing showcases advanced maritime engineering by incorporating a unique combination of carbon, titanium, and stainless steel. This blend of materials allows the hull to gracefully emerge from the water when sailing at high speeds. The same dedication to technical excellence is applied to the Pelagos FXD models. These watches feature a cutting-edge carbon composite for the case and bezel insert, a lightweight and durable material, paired with titanium for the bezel, crown, and pushers, as well as 316L stainless steel for the case back and movement container.

Designed with the 200-meter water-resistant FXD case, originally developed for combat divers in the French navy, these models are equipped with fixed strap bars. They also feature a bidirectional 120-notch rotatable bezel, which utilizes Swiss Super-LumiNova® Grade X1, a luminous material known for its exceptional performance, with a 60% increase in luminosity after two hours compared to standard grades. The bezels are marked from 60 to 0, allowing for convenient countdown tracking, a crucial moment before the start of a sailing race. These distinctive and technologically advanced sports watches proudly display the engraved Alinghi Red Bull Racing logo on the case back, further highlighting the collaboration between the two entities.

RACE READY DIALS

The matte dials of the watches prioritize readability and are designed to match the colour of the AC75 yacht's hull. Both dials feature an Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team Blue finish, complemented by a red-tipped second hand. In the Chronograph model, the counters are adorned with red accents, reminiscent of the AC75's aesthetics, particularly the red stripes on its hull. Positioned between 10 and 2 on the 45° angled rehaut, there is a subtle "Alinghi Red Bull Racing" inscription that spans across the dial's layout.

The iconic square hour-markers and "Snowflake" hands, originally created by TUDOR in the 1960s to enhance legibility by providing larger luminous areas, are crafted from a luminescent ceramic composite. This choice of material ensures optimal visibility even in challenging environmental conditions.

A SEAFARING FABRIC STRAP

TUDOR is renowned for its distinctive single-piece fabric strap, which they introduced in 2010, making them one of the pioneering watchmaking brands to offer this style. These straps are meticulously woven in France using 19th-century Jacquard looms by the esteemed Julien Faure company in the St-Etienne region. They possess exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and provide unparalleled comfort when worn on the wrist.

For the Pelagos FXD models, TUDOR collaborated with Julien Faure to develop a highly advanced strap construction. It consists of a 22 mm jacquard-woven ribbon in the vibrant "Team Blue" colour, adorned with red accents. The strap is equipped with a titanium "D" buckle featuring a self-gripping fastening system, allowing it to adjust to different wrist sizes while ensuring a secure fit. Moreover, the strap offers exceptional comfort for extended wear periods.

THE MANUFACTURE CALIBRE MT5602

The Pelagos FXD is equipped with the Manufacture Calibre MT5602, which provides essential timekeeping functions of hours, minutes, and seconds. This calibre exemplifies the distinctive qualities and craftsmanship associated with TUDOR Manufacture Calibres. Its rotor, crafted from tungsten monobloc, is intricately designed with an openwork pattern, while its bridges and mainplate feature a combination of sand-blasted and polished surfaces, enhanced by laser decorations.

The construction of the calibre is focused on ensuring durability and precision. A robust traversing bridge with two-point anchoring supports the variable inertia balance wheel, maintaining its stability. This system, along with a non-magnetic silicon hairspring, enables the Manufacture Calibre MT5602 to be certified by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres). Moreover, it surpasses the requirements of the COSC standards, functioning within an impressive tolerance range of 6 seconds (-2/+4) per day, which is rigorously tested on each fully assembled watch.

An additional noteworthy feature is the power reserve of the Manufacture Calibre MT5602, which ensures the watch remains "weekend-proof." This means that if the watch is taken off on a Friday evening, it can be worn again on Monday morning without needing to be wound. Even during a weekend getaway, the watch maintains its power reserve, eliminating the need for constant winding.

MANUFACTURE CHRONOGRAPH CALIBRE MT5813

The Pelagos FXD Chrono is powered by the Manufacture Calibre MT5813, offering a comprehensive range of functions including hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, and date displays. This calibre exhibits the characteristic matte finish that is synonymous with TUDOR Manufacture Calibres, and it features a distinctive tungsten openwork monobloc rotor.

The Manufacture Chronograph Calibre MT5813 is a high-performance movement with an impressive "weekend-proof" power reserve of 70 hours. It incorporates a silicon balance spring and has obtained certification from the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The accuracy of this chronograph movement exceeds the standards established by the independent institute, with a variation of -2 to +4 seconds per day, rigorously tested on each fully assembled chronograph timepiece. Crafted in adherence to traditional watchmaking principles, it incorporates a column wheel mechanism and vertical clutch. Following TUDOR's commitment to quality, the movement ensures exceptional durability and reliability, backed by a series of rigorous tests performed on all TUDOR products.

Derived from the renowned Manufacture Calibre Breitling 01 chronograph, the Manufacture Calibre MT5813 features a high-precision regulating organ developed by TUDOR, along with exclusive finishing touches. This remarkable movement is the result of an enduring collaboration between the two brands, reflecting their shared commitment to excellence in watchmaking.