Tudor watch follows in the F1 tyre tracks of Racing Bulls

Think big name watch brands with links to motor sport and the two obvious ones that spring to mind are Rolex and TAG Heuer, which has been inextricably linked since the launch of the Carrera chronograph in 1964.

However, Tudor, the more affordable sub-brand set-up by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf back in 1946, should not be overlooked. Its history includes an early foray into motorised competition through a 1950s advert for the then-new Oyster Prince model that ran: “Worn by a competitor in the Monaco international trophy for motorcycles. For 29 hours, over a course of rough, winding , alpine roads, it was subjected to an ordeal by dust, rain and the constant, merciless vibration of high-speed riding. And yet, at the end of the gruelling test, it emerged ticking smoothly, having maintained perfect time.”

By the following decade, Tudor had progressed into four-wheeled competition as the sponsor of Japanese Porsche 906 racer Tomohiko Tsutsumi. In 1970 Tudor launched the distinctive ‘Home Plate’ chronograph and strapped one onto the wrist of rally driver Tim Wheatley. During 2010 and 2011, the brand was the official global timing partner of Porsche Motorsport, specifically sponsoring Dutch Le Mans class winner Patrick Huisman. Since, Tudor has backed the IMSA Sports Car Championship and become the official timekeeper of both the Dakar and Dakar Classic.

Not until 2024, however, did it enter the F1 foray with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team, prompting the launch of the Black Bay Ceramic Blue. Now comes this new version of its Black Bay chronograph, the ‘Carbon 25’ with weight-saving carbon fibre used for the 42mm case.

Carbon has also been used for the fixed bezel (which is engraved with a tachymetric scale) while that other favourite F1 material – titanium – forms the PVD-finished case back. The domed dial carries aesthetic codes from the Visa Cash App RB cars , while the snowflake hands used on Tudor watches since the 1960s lend a historical link.

As the majority owner of Swiss movement manufacturer Kenissi, Tudor has fitted the watch with its Calibre MT5813 self-winding chronograph. The movement also has a silicon balance spring and an impressive 70 hours of power reserve. Limited to 2,025 pieces, it has a leather and rubber strap with a tyre-tread pattern and is offered with a five-year guarantee.

Tudor Black Bay Chrono Carbon 25, £6260. tudorwatch.com

Historic Swiss brand Eberhard is marking Lancia’s return to the rally circuit with this limited edition HF series. It takes its name from the initials (standing for High Fidelity) first used on the Fulvia coupé of 1966 but which became synonymous with the souped-up Delta models of the 1990s. Available in 120 examples with either blue, white or black dials, the watch features HF overlaid with the famous red elephant logo introduced by Gianni Lancia in 1953. Sold with either a vintage leather strap or a quick-change metal bracelet.

Eberhard & Co Lancia HF, £POA. eberhard-co-watches.ch

The latest in a long line of special edition watches created by Richard Mille to celebrate the Le Mans Classic, of which the brand has been principal partner since the first event in 2002. Featuring a green Quartz TPT case sandwiched between a titanium bezel and back, the watch – limited to 150 pieces – features a 24-hour counter with 16 marked in green as a hat-tip to the traditional 16:00 Le Mans start time. The sapphire crystal back has the Le Mans Classic logo and the watch is delivered on a green vented rubber strap.

Richard Mille RM30-01 LMC, £240,000 (including VAT). richardmille.com