Having just announced its first-ever Formula 1 sponsorship, Tudor also quietly revealed a Black Bay Ceramic for the Visa Cash App RB Formula One (VCARB) racing team. As with the standard model, the case is black ceramic, but instead of the usual black, the dial is in a striking blue that matches the livery of the team’s car (and the Visa logo).

Like almost all of its special edition watches, the new Black Bay Ceramic is not for public sale but instead meant for members of VCARB team. The brand hasn’t released any official statement regarding the watch, and all that is known for now are two portraits of VCARB driver Daniel Ricciardo wearing it.

The VCARB car for the 2024 season. Image – Visa Cash App RB

Initial thoughts

Tudor has grown imaginative and adventurous in its products and marketing in recent years, especially compared to a decade ago, which stands in contrast to its still conservative sister brand Rolex. In that regard, Tudor has become something of a platform for the Rolex group to experiment with new ideas and concepts, which was what Rolex once was decades ago, before it became the world’s biggest and most valuable watchmaker.

Daniel Ricciardo. Image – Visa Cash App RB

Tudor has been particularly active in collaborations with notable organisations, ranging from elite military units to America’s Cup competitors. Each collaboration, in turn, results in a watch. Even though Tudor has made a good number of collaborative special edition watches to date, the Black Bay Ceramic VCARB stands out. The model is probably the most infrequently iterated – the Black Bay 58 is probably the most common – with only two other Black Bay Ceramic special editions known, one being for the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team that will compete in this year’s America’s Cup.

The standard and monochromatic Black Bay Ceramic

Black and blue

Encased in 41 mm of black ceramic, the VCARB watch shares the same specification as the standard Black Bay Ceramic. The dial and the matching strap with blue stitching, however, are unique to the watch. Interestingly, the dial appears to be a flat blue without the sun ray brushing found on the standard model. In fact, it arguably looks similar to the discontinued Rolex Submariner “Smurf” ref. 116619.

Image – Visa Cash App RB

Inside the screwed-down open case back is the METAS- and COSC-certified MT5602-1U. An in-house calibre like most Tudor movements, the self-winding movement runs at 28,800 beats per hour and has a lengthy 70-hour power reserve.

Key facts and price

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic “VCARB”

Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 14.5 mm
Material: Black ceramic
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 200 m

Movement: Cal. MT5602-1U
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 70 hours

Strap: Leather-covered rubber

Availability: Made for members of Visa Cash App RB Formula One team
Price: Not available

For more, visit tudorwatch.com.