Tudor has introduced a notable new timepiece, the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink," a watch with a direct and compelling link to the world of professional cycling, specifically the renowned Giro d’Italia. This model is not merely a new color variation but a purpose-driven chronograph conceived to honor a historic sporting event and cater to the unique demands of its athletes. The watch emerges as a limited-production offering, a detail that inherently adds to its specific appeal among enthusiasts and collectors.
The Giro d’Italia stands as one of the pillars of the professional cycling Grand Tours, a race steeped in history and notorious for its grueling nature. Since its inception in 1909, it has captivated fans and tested the mettle of riders with its challenging parcours through the varied and often mountainous terrain of Italy. The ultimate victor of this demanding race is awarded the Maglia Rosa, or "pink jersey," a symbol of triumph that is deeply ingrained in cycling lore. Tudor's role as the Official Timekeeper of this prestigious event provides a natural context for the creation of a watch that pays homage to its legacy and the extraordinary efforts of its participants. The vibrant pink, a direct nod to the leader's jersey, becomes a central design motif in this new Pelagos FXD Chrono.
Courtesy of Tudor
Recognizing the symbolic power of the Maglia Rosa and the sheer audacity of the Giro d’Italia – a race where riders can accumulate an elevation gain equivalent to scaling Mount Everest six times over its duration –
Tudor has developed this specific chronograph. The decision to produce only 300 examples of the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink" underscores its commemorative nature, positioning it as a special release rather than a standard collection piece. This limited availability often resonates with watch aficionados who appreciate rarity and a distinct narrative behind their timepieces.
Professional cycling is a sport defined by extremes. It pushes athletes to their physiological and psychological limits, demanding unwavering focus and resilience. The equipment used, including a rider's watch, must be capable of withstanding these harsh conditions. Durability, lightness, and operational simplicity are paramount. Tudor has addressed these requirements by selecting advanced materials for the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink." The case is fashioned from a carbon composite, a material favored in high-performance cycling for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This choice aims to provide a watch that is both robust enough to handle the rigors of the sport and light enough not to impede a rider. Reinforcing this robust construction, titanium elements are incorporated, further enhancing the watch's ability to endure the unpredictable environments encountered during competitive cycling.
Beyond sheer toughness, the design of the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink" incorporates features specifically tailored to the needs of cyclists. While many chronographs feature tachymetric scales calibrated for automotive speeds, Tudor has rethought this function for the cycling context. The tachymeter scale on this model is uniquely adapted to measure the speeds typically achieved by cyclists. This scale is ingeniously "wrapped" around the dial in a spiral formation, allowing for an intuitive, at-a-glance reading of average speeds within the range pertinent to cycling. This specialized calibration marks a significant departure from conventional chronograph design and highlights the watch's intended purpose.
The carbon case of the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink" measures 43mm in diameter and has a thickness of 13.2mm. It features a matt black finish, contributing to its functional, non-reflective aesthetic. A defining characteristic of the FXD line is the presence of fixed strap bars, which are machined from the same block of carbon composite as the case itself. This construction enhances the security of the strap attachment, a crucial feature for a watch designed for vigorous activity. The case’s angular lines and purposeful design give it a distinctly modern and technical appearance, devoid of superfluous ornamentation. Its dark, utilitarian look is punctuated by the strategic use of color on the dial and strap, creating a visual link to its cycling inspiration.
Courtesy of Tudor
Complementing the case is a fixed bezel, also finished in matt black. The bezel is marked with a 60-minute graduation, providing a straightforward timing function that can be used independently of the chronograph. This feature adds another layer of utility for general timekeeping or tracking shorter intervals. The non-rotating nature of the bezel aligns with the FXD concept of robustness and simplicity, eliminating a moving part that might be vulnerable in demanding situations.
The dial of the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink" is a study in legibility and functional design, presented in a matt black finish that minimizes glare. The most striking visual elements are the pink accents found on the chronograph sub-dials and the unique tachymeter scale. These splashes of color not only provide a direct visual reference to the Giro d’Italia’s pink jersey but also enhance the readability of these specific functions against the dark background. The dial architecture prioritizes clarity, ensuring that information can be absorbed quickly, a critical factor for an athlete in motion.
To ensure optimal visibility in all conditions, Tudor employs its signature "Snowflake" hands, a design element that dates back to 1969 and is renowned for its large surface area, allowing for generous application of luminous material. Both the hands and the square hour-markers are fashioned from luminescent ceramic composite. This material provides bright and long-lasting luminescence (Grade X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova®), ensuring that the time and chronograph readings remain clear even in low-light environments or during periods of inclement weather often faced by cyclists. The hour markers are monobloc and applied, adding a subtle depth to the otherwise flat, tool-watch aesthetic of the dial.
The cycling-specific tachymeter scale is a key innovation of this model. Printed on a 45°-angled rehaut, or flange ring, around the circumference of the dial, its inner ring is specifically calibrated for the speeds cyclists sustain. This recalibration is a thoughtful detail that differentiates the watch from motorsport-oriented chronographs and underscores its dedication to the world of cycling. The spiral layout ensures that a wider range of relevant speeds can be displayed clearly within the available space.
Courtesy of Tudor
Protecting the dial is a domed sapphire crystal. Sapphire is chosen for its exceptional scratch resistance, second only to diamond, ensuring that the crystal remains clear and free of marks despite the potential for impacts and abrasions during active use. The domed shape can also subtly enhance the vintage-inspired feel of the watch, though its primary function here is protective. The watch is rated for waterproofness to 100 meters (330 feet), providing ample protection against rain, sweat, and accidental immersion, making it suitable for the all-weather demands of professional cycling.
Securing the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink" to the wrist is a single-piece technical fabric strap. Tudor has been a proponent of fabric straps since 2010, recognizing their comfort and durability. This particular strap is woven in France by the Julien Faure company, a specialist that uses 19th-century Jacquard looms. This traditional manufacturing process yields a strap that is both robust and comfortable. For the Pelagos FXD models, Tudor and Julien Faure developed a highly technical construction. The 22mm strap is black jacquard-woven technical fabric, distinguished by a central pink stripe that echoes the dial accents and the Giro d’Italia theme. It is fastened with a traditional buckle, ensuring a secure fit during strenuous activity.
The winding crown and chronograph pushers are crafted from titanium, a material known for its high strength, low weight, and corrosion resistance. The screw-down crown, adorned with the Tudor shield in relief, contributes to the watch's water resistance. The direct-action pushers provide tactile feedback when operating the chronograph functions, allowing for precise starting, stopping, and resetting of the timing mechanism.
At the heart of the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink" beats the Manufacture Calibre MT5813. This self-winding mechanical chronograph movement displays hours, minutes, and central chronograph seconds, along with a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock and a 45-minute chronograph counter at 3 o'clock. A date function is discreetly integrated at the 6 o'clock position, featuring an instantaneous date change with a rapid adjustment capability that does not have a non-correction range, adding to its user-friendliness. The movement is also equipped with a stop-seconds function for precise time setting.
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The Calibre MT5813 boasts a "weekend-proof" power reserve of approximately 70 hours, allowing the watch to be taken off on a Friday evening and still be running accurately on Monday morning without needing to be rewound. This impressive power reserve is achieved in part by its efficient bidirectional rotor system, which is a tungsten openwork monobloc rotor, a signature of Tudor Manufacture Calibres. A key component contributing to its precision and durability is the non-magnetic silicon balance spring, which is impervious to magnetic fields and less susceptible to variations caused by temperature changes and shocks. The oscillator features a variable inertia balance with a micro-adjustment screw, allowing for fine-tuning of its rate. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz).
The precision of the Manufacture Calibre MT5813 is officially certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). This certification guarantees its accuracy, with Tudor stating that its performance exceeds COSC standards, achieving a variation of between -2 and +4 seconds per day, tested on each fully assembled chronograph. The movement’s architecture includes a column wheel mechanism and a vertical clutch, features associated with high-quality chronographs that ensure smooth pusher operation and a clean start for the chronograph seconds hand without the "jump" sometimes seen in other systems. It is comprised of 41 jewels and has a total diameter of 30.4mm and a thickness of 7.23mm.
The history of Tudor is intrinsically linked to that of Rolex. Hans Wilsdorf, the visionary founder of Rolex, registered "The Tudor" as a brand in 1926. His aim was to create a watch company, Montres TUDOR SA, established in 1946, that could offer timepieces with the quality and dependability characteristic of Rolex, but at a more accessible price point. This philosophy of providing robust and reliable watches for demanding users quickly established Tudor's reputation. Throughout their history, Tudor watches have been the choice of adventurers and professionals, including military divers and explorers, who relied on their durability in extreme conditions on land, underwater, and on ice.
Over the decades, Tudor has cultivated its own distinct identity while upholding the founding principles of quality and value. The modern Tudor collection includes highly regarded lines such as the Black Bay, which draws inspiration from the brand's historic dive watches, the Pelagos, known for its technical features and titanium construction, the classic 1926 line, and the versatile Tudor Royal. A significant development in the brand's recent history has been its move towards greater autonomy in movement production. Since 2015, Tudor has introduced a series of mechanical Manufacture Calibres, offering various functions and consistently high performance, further solidifying its position as a serious player in Swiss watchmaking.
Courtesy of Tudor
The assembly and rigorous testing of every Tudor watch, including the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink," take place at the new Tudor Manufacture in Le Locle, Switzerland. This state-of-the-art facility, completed in 2021 after three years of construction, represents a significant investment in the brand's production capabilities. Spanning four levels and 5,500 square meters, the bright red building is both physically and visually connected to the neighboring Kenissi Manufacture. Kenissi, founded in 2016, is the facility where Tudor movements are produced. Through Kenissi and a network of Tudor-owned affiliates, the brand has successfully integrated the development and production of high-performance mechanical calibres, allowing it to master the manufacturing of strategic components and ensure their quality from start to finish. This vertical integration is crucial for maintaining the high standards Tudor sets for its timepieces.
The Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono "Pink," reference 25827KNRS, is priced at $5,600. Given its limited production run of just 300 pieces and its unique connection to the Giro d’Italia, availability will be restricted. This timepiece offers a compelling package for those who appreciate purpose-built tool watches, innovative materials, and a direct link to the demanding world of professional sports. It successfully combines a robust feature set with a distinct aesthetic that honors a significant cycling legacy.
Case: 43mm black carbon composite with matt finish, 13.2mm thick. Fixed strap bars. Titanium screw-down crown with Tudor shield in relief. Titanium direct-action pushers. Fixed bezel with 60-minute scale. Domed sapphire crystal. Waterproof to 100m (330 ft).
Movement: Manufacture Calibre MT5813. Self-winding mechanical chronograph movement with bidirectional rotor system. Approximately 70-hour power reserve. COSC certified. Variable inertia balance, micro-adjustment screw. Non-magnetic silicon balance spring. Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz). 30.4mm diameter, 7.23mm thick. 41 jewels. Functions: hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds, 45-minute counter at 3 o'clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock, instantaneous date at 6 o’clock with rapid adjustment, stop-seconds.
Dial: Black, matt. Pink accents on chronograph counters and tachymeter scale. Luminescent ceramic composite monobloc applied hour markers. "Snowflake" hands with Grade X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova®. Cycling-specific tachymeter scale on 45°-angled rehaut.
Strap: Single-piece black jacquard-woven technical fabric strap with pink stripe. Traditional buckle. 22mm width.
Price: $5,600
Reference Number: 25827KNRS
Notes: Limited edition of 300 pieces, honoring the Giro d’Italia. Features a cycling-specific tachymeter scale. Carbon composite case for lightness and durability.