Battle Of The Pinks: Tudor’s Black Bay Chrono Vs Pelagos FXD Chrono
4 min read
Tradition dictates that pink is for women and blue is for men. In fact, pink is overwhelmingly associated with delicacy and femininity. However, in a report published by CNN’s Colorscope series, in the 18th century both little boys and little girls of the Upper classes wore pink and blue uniformly. Pink was related to the mother color of red, which was ardent and passionate, active and aggressive. Even though you reduce the shade level, it was a color that was associated with boys. Today, a boy or man can’t wear pink without it being some kind of statement. It is no longer just a colour and if a man is seen wearing too much pink he is labeled effeminate or not masculine enough. So what exactly does this have to do with a brand like Tudor that proudly describes itself as a brand that is Born To Dare?
Throughout its history, Tudor watches have been chosen by seasoned sporting professionals. Tudor’s association with sport has been a long and prestigious one as it has constantly proven itself as a brand that stands for team work, excellence on the field and dedication in perfecting your talent. With an aim of producing cutting edge luxury watches, the brand has created exceptional timepieces that have been the preferred choice for a number of athletes when it comes to important matches and games in their sporting careers.
Tudor has officially cemented its association with Florida based pro football club Inter Miami CF as it was announced the Official Timekeeper of the Club. Co-owned by the legendary footballer David Beckham, the club jersey is a bright pink shade that reflects South Florida’s vibrant soul. Symbolizing the daring spirit of the club, the pink jersey instantly catches the eye and breaks traditional stereotypes. Introducing Tudor’s Black Bay Chrono in a stunning pink variant, the brand successfully smashed barriers and also raised a few eyebrows.
In 2022, when Olympic winning cyclist Fabian Cancellara decided to start his own pro cycling team, thanks to a partnership with Tudor, the team came to be known as Tudor Pro Cycling. The team now competes at the second-highest level of professional cycling in the world and is brimming with Swiss riders and Swiss equipment. Jay Chou, the leader of Italian cycling race Giro d’Italia proudly adorns himself in a pink jersey, owning the colour with his bold choice. Now, in 2024, Tudor has released a special “Cycling Edition” of their Pelagos FXD Chrono with hints of pink along the surface of the watch. This new release begs the question- Is Tudor embracing new age values denoted by the colour pink? Are they subtly trying to shatter gender norms by rebranding pink as a colour associated with power, excellence and victory?
Comparing the two pink watches, one can spot several similarities as well as several differences. The most obvious difference being size and dial colour. While the Black Bay Chrono is a 41 mm sized case in opaline pink dial with black markers, the Pelagos FXD Chrono is a 43 mm with black matt dial and luminescent ceramic composite monobloc applied hour markers. The Pelagos FXD Chrono features a tachymeter function specially designed for cycling as the scale can match the frenzied speed of the cyclist. The chronograph scale is wrapped around the dial in a spiral, allowing the average speeds that cyclists routinely operate at to be read at a glance. Conversely, the Black Bay Chrono features a fixed 316L steel bezel with a matt black anodised aluminium disc complete with tachymetric scale and silver markings.
The Black Bay Chrono steel case sits atop a riveted steel bracelet with polished and satin finish with folding clasp and safety catch whereas the highly technical 22mm solid black jacquard-woven technical fabric and traditional buckle, has been specifically made for the Pelagos FXD Chrono. Since the best cycles are made up of carbon composite, the Pelagos FXD too uses this robust material in its case. The Black Bay chrono uses its signature steel for its case material.
What makes these two varied chronographs such a matched pair is the movement that is within each of these models. Both the chronographs are powered by the Manufacture Calibre MT5813, which is certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). Its performance exceeding the standards set by this independent institute at -2 and +4 seconds’ variation per day the calibres are tested on every fully assembled chronograph. Both watches are also ‘weekend proof’ as they provide a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
So whether it’s the Black Bay Chrono or the Pelagos FXD, the Tudor signature is amply evident in both models. With its audacious choice of colour both these timepieces go far beyond traditional watchmaking beautifully embodying the courageous spirit that the brand Tudor is so known and loved for.
The Pelagos FXD retails at approximately $ 5800 (INR 4.6 lakh)
The Black Bay Chrono Pink retails at approximately $5600
