It might not be obvious to the casual observer, but the art of timing is critical for a great yacht skipper. Crossing the start line as the race commences requires meticulous timing, making the partnership between Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Tudor a purpose-driven one.
To celebrate this relationship, Tudor has produced the Pelagos FXD Chrono Sailing Edition – in collaboration with the America’s Cup yacht racing team – to serve as the ideal companion on the open water. The FXD Chrono Sailing Edition — purchasable from Kennedy’s Tudor-authorised boutiques — is complimented by a time-only FXD reference, both of which are built to handle all conditions the crew may face.
Existing within Tudor’s popular Pelagos collection, which was originally launched as a professional spec dive watch line-up, both FXD Sailing Edition references feature an all-new carbon composite case material. The Chrono measures 43mm in diameter, while the case thickness has been reduced to 13.6mm — nearly a full millimetre thinner than previous Tudor chronographs.
The notable benefits of this new case material are robustness and reduced weight, complemented by a bezel ring, crown, and chronograph pushers, all built from titanium, offering a 30% weight saving on their equivalent stainless steel parts. The 120-click bi-directional bezel is made using the same carbon composite, featuring a fully luminous 60-minute counter.
It’s also worth highlighting this is the first time Tudor has utilised carbon composite as a watchmaking material, with Tudor previously using titanium for the Pelagos line-up. While titanium is an ideal alloy to use for high-specification diving watches, carbon composite is far more cutting-edge and a subtle reference to the team’s AC75 racing yacht.
On the dial, we have an ocean-inspired shade of deep blue, contrasted with pops of red that nod to Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s colours. The twin-register chronograph counters provide a balanced aesthetic accentuating ‘Alinghi Red Bull Racing‘ across the minute track at 12 o’clock and a practical date window at 6 o’clock.
Turning the watch over, the caseback is a solid piece of stainless steel that features an engraving of the Alinghi Red Bull Racing logo. However, it remains partially hidden behind the single-piece blue fabric strap that passes through the fixed carbon composite lugs, before looping back through a titanium D-ring and secured with a velcro-like material.
For maximum functionality, Tudor needed to use a high-performance movement to power the Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Sailing Edition, which is why it selected the Manufacture Calibre MT5813. Not only is it COSC-certified (accurate to at least -4 to +6 seconds per day), but its column-wheel and vertical clutch make for smooth and reliable actuation of the chronograph every time.
Tudor began its partnership with Alinghi Red Bull Racing in 2022, a team that returned to competition after a decade away from the pinnacle of the sport. As a celebration of this storied team’s return to contest in the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona later this year, the Pelagos FXD Chrono Sailing Edition is more than fit for purpose.
For the sailing fans out there, it’s an alluring, built-for-purpose tool that can handle the depths with 200m of water resistance, as well as offering a reliable chronograph for accurate race starts. For casual enthusiasts, it stands strong as a watch that flies under the radar with a performance-focused carbon composite case and comfortable fabric strap.
With the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Barcelona kicking off on the 22nd of August this year, fans will be eagerly watching Alinghi Red Bull Racing return to competition. The Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Sailing Edition is currently available from Kennedy’s network of Tudor-authorised boutiques around the country, with an Australian RRP of $7,840.
This article is sponsored by Tudor and Kennedy. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
