If you’ve ever been aboard a racing yacht and experienced the wind and spray stinging your face as you reach speeds that make the water feel like concrete, you’ll know this is a sport in which every second gained is a hard-won victory. Much like Formula 1, it’s also a sport in which the choices made concerning materials and design—along with the craftsmanship that harnesses them—are every bit as important as the skill of the crew when race day finally arrives. To put it plainly, precision and planning are essential for elevating performance.
For this reason, Tudor and its pair of Pelagos FXD Sailing Edition models—one a chronograph, the other time-only—share much of the spirit of yacht racing, in particular drawing inspiration from and embodying the hard-bitten determination of Alinghi Red Bull Racing. Like that elite team of designers, engineers, and athletes with whom the brand has partnered since 2022, Tudor puts in the work beforehand, deploying only the best materials and designs to ensure its watches can be relied upon when the time comes. Read on to discover more.
Every Moment Counts
Recognising the importance of instant legibility for those hammering across the water at in excess of 60 knots, Tudor has developed matte dials for its Pelagos FXD models that not only match the blue hull of the AC75—America’s Cup 75, Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s envelope-pushing hydrofoil racing yacht—but also aid in reading at a glance. Further to this end, Tudor’s signature square hour markers and “Snowflake” hands are here crafted from luminescent ceramic, resulting in large luminous surfaces that contrast starkly against the surrounding blue for maximum legibility in even the most challenging conditions.
Both watches also feature a red-tipped second hand that nods to the stripes on the AC75’s hull, while the chronograph model features additional red accents around its counters. For more evidence of the connection to the yacht-racing powerhouse, “Alinghi Red Bull Racing” is subtly printed on each model between 10 and 2 on their 45-degree-angled rehaut.
Further integration of racing functionality comes in the form of the Pelagos FXD references’ case design. First developed for French Navy combat divers, each boasts a bidirectional 120-notch rotatable bezel that is graduated from 60 to 0, allowing for easy tracking of countdowns, an essential element of racing.
As for construction, Tudor further embraced the AC75 connection by deploying the same high-tech carbon composite made of titanium and stainless steel used to create Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s incredible vessel. Here, Tudor has undoubtedly crafted twin high-tech sports timepieces with yacht racing in their very DNA, as demonstrated by the Alinghi Red Bull Racing logo engraved on their casebacks.
Fluid Movement
Powering this pair of stunning watches is an equally stunning pair of in-house movements. The first of these is the MT5813, which drives the Pelagos FXD Chrono’s hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, and date functions. It sports the matte finish that has become a calling card of Tudor’s own movements and comes complete with a signature tungsten openwork monobloc rotor. This movement is also certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) as offering performance that exceeds that independent body’s required standards.
The second movement is the MT5602, which powers the Pelagos FXD and displays hour, minute and seconds functions. It also features a tungsten openwork monobloc rotor, while its bridges and mainplate have alternate sand-blasted and polished surfaces topped with laser decorations for the ultimate finishing touch.
Both of these watches are what Tudor describes as “weekend-proof”, meaning their movements boast a 70-hour reserve. However, we imagine that once you have one of these impressive timepieces in your possession, it’s unlikely you’ll want to put it down long enough for this to become a real factor.
A Firm Grip
Both a signature of Tudor and a practical choice for any seafaring timepiece, the single-piece fabric strap offered with both of these watches will ensure that once attached your watch isn’t going anywhere. Woven in France’s St-Etienne region on 19th century Jacquard looms by the Julien Faure company, Tudor partnered with this 160-year-old brand to develop a highly technical strap construction for these Pelagos FXD models.
Featuring a 22 mm “Team Blue” jacquard-woven ribbon with red accents and a titanium “D” buckle with a self-gripping fastening system, it offers the perfect fit every time, ensuring maximum comfort and security, whether you’re thundering across the water at maximum speed or leisurely spectating from the shoreline.
The Hour Glass’ Tudor Boutiques
If you want to get your hands on one of these outstanding timepieces, your first port of call simply has to be one of The Hour Glass’ three Tudor boutiques, located in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. As the only retailer to have Tudor boutiques in Australia, there’s no better way to get a closer look at these very special watches in person. In the meantime, discover more via the link below.
