Baselworld 2013: TUDOR Black Shield and Chrono Blue Chronographs

TUDOR Fastrider Black Shield Chronograph

Wild, assertive, refined. Powerful, in speed and performance mode, this new 2013 chrono opts for the total black matte and, for the first time in Tudor’s history, for the universe of injected high-tech ceramics. Nothing to do with ceramic deposited in an overlay! Watermarked behind frank, strained, almost volcanic curves, emerge the curves of the Ducati Diavel Carbon, faithful time partner of the brand. The 42 mm monobloc - i.e. manufactured in one piece - micro-blasted case is water resistant to 150 metres, despite the porosity of the material. The functional furrows of a tachometer scale are drawn on the edge of the case and bezel that focus on the ultra-resistance. The push buttons of the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield, as for its screwed crown, engraved with the logo of the rose, are in direct link with the engine, a Tudor 7753 calibre whose power reserve reaches 46 hours.

Small second at 9 o’clock, 30 minutes counter at 3h and, at 6h, the 12 hours.  The pommel of the instantaneous date corrector emerges in the middle strip at 9h. Punctuated by a sporty red whose vigour is found even in the luminescent material, the dial of this chrono is encircled by a same colour seal, carefully inserted under the sapphire glass. The piece is sometimes served by a rubber strap, sometimes by a red overstitched leather one. Another version sees the alliance of its so singular matte black to bronze colour. This time it is an Alcantara ® overstitched black strap that serves as an alternative to rubber.

TUDOR Chrono Blue, Heritage line

From the Montecarlo iconic chronograph of 1973, from which this 70330B reference is inspired, there remains only a relapsing fever in the sphere of purists. And since its blue, grey and orange accents version still fascinates collectors...this myth deserved its resurrection, and the Heritage line could not provide a better fit. Far from a simple reissue, the new Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue has kept the glamour, the chic and the latin carefreeness of the base model while remaining in timelessness. Aesthetic symbiosis between the original spirit and subtle touches of modernity. Royal blue married to a lighter grey than the original piece brings this new vintage icon in terrestrial as much as aquatic scenery. It is also found on the anodized aluminium disc from the bidirectional bezel.

Sprinkled of three dimensional index edged with metallic ridges to delimit the SuperLuminova area, its dial stands out by two counters inserted into the trapezoidal patterns: at 3 o'clock, the small seconds, at 9 o’clock the one of the famous 45-minute counter, specific to the Tudor’s history. The 42 mm case (two millimetres more than the historical piece) is water resistant up to 150 meters. Its screwed crown and push buttons on knurled surface, with a blue lacquer blazon, connect the fairing to the mechanical engine, the self-winding Tudor 2892 caliber with 42 hours of power reserve.