The Comeback Chrono: Fabian Cancellara x TUDOR Pelagos FXD ‘Yellow’

Back in 2016, Fabian Cancellara took his final competitive lap in France. Fast-forward to 2025, and the cycling legend is returning to the world’s most prestigious race not as a rider, but as a team owner. And to mark this significant transition, Cancellara will be sporting something special on his wrist: the new TUDOR Pelagos FXD Chrono “Yellow”, produced in a strictly limited run of just 300 pieces. 

Cancellara’s legacy at the Tour de France is well known, 29 days in the yellow jersey and eight stage wins to his name. Now, nearly a decade later, he’s back on the scene, leading a team that was just an idea three years ago. It’s a testament to the kind of progress that only comes from relentless dedication and vision. On his wrist, the Pelagos FXD Chrono “Yellow” is more than a timepiece—it’s a symbol of the road he's already conquered and the new journey ahead. And yes, number 7 of this special edition is already taken. Afterall, it’s Cancellara’s signature number.

Professional cycling is as brutal as it is beautiful. Every second counts, and conditions are often unpredictable. The Pelagos FXD Chrono “Yellow” was built with those realities in mind. Its 43mm case, crafted in black carbon composite and reinforced with titanium components, is built to withstand the strain of high-performance racing. The fixed strap bars and a sturdy 60-minute graduated bezel further enhance its durability and practicality.

But toughness isn’t everything. Functionality on the bike was also key to this watch’s design. Most chronographs are tailored for cars, with tachymeters calibrated for automotive speeds. Not this one. The Pelagos FXD Chrono “Yellow” features a unique, cycling-specific tachymeter scale that spirals around the dial. Designed for the actual speeds cyclists reach, it allows quick and intuitive reading of average speeds—an innovation aimed squarely at serious riders.

The dial itself is all about legibility. A matte black base is accented with high-contrast yellow, echoing the Tour de France’s iconic leader’s jersey. TUDOR’s signature “Snowflake” hands and square hour markers, introduced in 1969, are made from luminescent ceramic composite, ensuring exceptional visibility even in low-light conditions. The tachymeter is printed on a sharply angled 45° rehaut, allowing for easier viewing while riding.

Of course, no performance watch is complete without a strap that can keep up. TUDOR has long championed fabric straps, and for the Pelagos FXD Chrono, they’ve taken it a step further. Developed in collaboration with the historic Julien Faure company, the single-piece strap is woven from technical jacquard fabric on 19th-century looms in France. With a bold yellow stripe down the center, it’s not just a nod to Cancellara’s legacy—it’s built for the road.

Inside beats the Manufacture Calibre MT5813, a high-performance chronograph movement built to COSC standards—and then some. Featuring a silicon balance spring, column wheel, vertical clutch, and a tungsten rotor, this movement delivers a 70-hour power reserve and remarkable precision, tested between -2 and +4 seconds per day. Derived from the Breitling 01 chronograph calibre and enhanced with TUDOR’s own regulating organ and finishes, it’s the product of a powerful alliance between two respected watchmaking names.

With only 300 numbered pieces available, the Pelagos FXD Chrono “Yellow” is both a tribute and a tool. It celebrates a career filled with grit and glory, while being ready for the next challenge be it on the race circuit or far beyond it.