Some watches grab you instantly. Others take time. Then there are the rare few that flip the switch the moment they hit your wrist—lightweight, sharp, and radiating intent. The TUDOR Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” is exactly that. And as far as motorsport-inspired watches go, this one doesn’t just flirt with the Formula 1 aesthetic, it lives it.
Limited to 2,025 pieces and launched in celebration of the 2025 season of the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One team, the Carbon 25 marks a bold new chapter in TUDOR’s evolution. This isn’t just a watch for collectors; it’s a piece of precision equipment that reflects how far the brand is willing to push its design ethos and technical execution. If the standard Black Bay Chronograph is the pit lane-ready classic, the Carbon 25 is the race-spec prototype.
The Case for Carbon
At the heart of the Carbon 25 is its 42mm carbon fibre case, lightweight, tough, and loaded with visual texture. It wears larger than its weight suggests, thanks to the stealthy matte finish and the angularity of the carbon weave. The fixed tachymeter bezel, also crafted from carbon, reinforces the motorsport DNA while keeping the overall weight down. This isn’t for flexing—it’s for function.
The PVD-coated titanium screw-down crown and chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock add to the tactical feel of the watch. Everything is designed with grip, movement, and action in mind. Whether you’re tracking split seconds on the track or counting the minutes between meetings, the interface is seamless and intuitive. And that’s before we even get to what’s ticking inside.
A Movement with Muscle
Powering the Carbon 25 is the Manufacture Calibre MT5813, a COSC-certified chronograph movement with a column wheel and vertical clutch, serious hardware for serious timekeeping. Based on a Breitling B01 architecture but heavily modified by TUDOR, this movement brings a 70-hour power reserve, a bidirectional rotor system, and rock-solid reliability. It’s the kind of caliber that makes the Carbon 25 more than just a good-looking watch. It’s a performer, one that backs up its design bravado with high-precision execution. Just like the team it celebrates, it’s all about tight tolerances, minimal drag, and maximum performance.
Dialed In
Then there’s the dial, a crisp “racing white” face with black carbon fibre sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock. Contrast is king here. Every marker is oversized and luminous, ensuring readability whether you’re driving at dusk or just checking the time under city lights. The date window at 6 o’clock balances the layout, keeping the symmetry tight and purposeful.
But it’s the subtleties that elevate the Carbon 25: the fine texturing of the sub-dials, the depth of the applied indices, the way the hybrid leather-rubber strap (embossed with a tire tread pattern) wraps around the wrist with comfort and intent. Even the carbon fibre end links feel like part of a racing suspension system, tight, engineered, and seamless.
From the Paddock to the Street
TUDOR has long walked the line between tool watch credibility and lifestyle appeal, and the Carbon 25 is where those two identities merge at full speed. It’s wearable, yes, but more than that, it’s aspirational in the best way. Whether you’re a diehard F1 fan or just someone who appreciates the craftsmanship of a high-performance watch, this release hits on multiple levels. And while the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls branding is present, it’s not loud. You’ll find it subtly woven into the design language rather than splashed across the dial. This is a motorsport collab done right, steeped in story, but never screaming for attention.
Final Lap: Is It Worth It?
Retailing at $8,000 USD, EUR 7,400 or £6,300 GBP , the Carbon 25 is priced above its stainless steel siblings, but there’s context here. This isn’t just a different case material. It’s a full redesign, from weight and materials to strap and finishing. You’re getting a distinctive limited-edition model that not only looks different but feels different too.
It’s a bold move from TUDOR, one that signals their willingness to innovate while keeping their roots intact. And if the brand’s past success with motorsport (and rugged tool watches in general) is anything to go by, the Carbon 25 is less of a one-off and more of a statement of intent.
Conclusion
The TUDOR Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 25” is a watch that doesn’t just wear differently, it ticks differently. It combines motorsport attitude with strong horological discipline, lightweight tech with heavyweight presence. It’s for the collector, the racer, the minimalist, and the enthusiast. But most of all, it’s for those who appreciate a watch that is designed to move, in every sense of the word.
