[VIDEO] Hands-On with the Tudor FXD Alinghi Red Bull Racing Watches

When Tudor began teasing a new release over the summer, paired with a countdown clock planted in the wake of a passing boat, speculation quickly ended up in the usual places. A new steel BB58? A GMT Pelagos? Perhaps a regatta timer chronograph? As usual, these guesses ended up off the mark, with Tudor instead revealing a new pair of FXD watches made in conjunction with the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team. Along with them, a look at some wholly new features that will undoubtedly spur more predictions about what’s to come. After reviewing the FXD upon its launch in 2021, I’ve grown quite fond of the platform, as I often profess on the Worn & Wound podcast, but how well does it hold up in a different trim?

The FXD is a watch that works better in person and on the wrist than it does on paper. It’s large and relatively flat stature that touts a lug to lug measurement north of 50mm thanks to a fixed lug design meaning only passthrough straps can be used. But it’s more than all that on the wrist. It wears slim and the widest bit of the lug is under a strap, so while it’s not as easy going as something like the Pelagos 39, it’s perfectly easy to get along with overall. On top of that, it’s got one of the most low-key interesting personalities of any of the mainline dive watches out there. Additionally, after having completed my open water dive certification with the FXD on my wrist every step of the way, I can attest to its qualities under the surface, as well (more on all that coming soon).

The original FXD was done for the French Navy, the Marine Nationale, and a specific underwater navigational technique that they employ. This means the bezel is in countdown orientation, and turns both ways. This functionality has carried over to the new FXD references, which are made for a very different group of people, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team, a sailing team that will be competing in the America’s Cup later this year. But there are a few changes here, notably the addition of a chronograph to the FXD and the Pelagos collection as a whole. Perhaps even more exciting, is the use of a black carbon composite for the case and the bezel insert, a new material to the Tudor stable.

We’ve of course seen Tudor use plenty of unexpected materials in the past, and wondered if we might see them materialize in other ways, so this doesn’t feel entirely out of character, and it might not lead to usage across the board. But it does make sense here, particular with the chronograph, mitigating much of the heft you’d otherwise expect with the complication. The chronograph is using the same MT5813 automatic movement seen in the Black Bay Chronograph, though it’s worth noting that the FXD has managed to shave about a full millimeter off of the case thickness (exciting new for this movement).

The black carbon composite material is indeed a bit lighter than titanium, though not by all that much. The weight difference between the original titanium FXD and the new carbon composite case is less than 5 grams on our scale, but again, it really pays dividends on the chronograph. Visually, the new FXD watches look a bit tougher all around, with much darker blue matte blue dials, and red accents placed sparingly on the hands and dial. It’s a fantastic look that suits the Pelagos quite well, though strays a bit from the simple, tool-forward, no nonsense ethos of the Pelagos line in general. 

A few differences also caught my eye, such as a different profile along the bottom of the case compared to the titanium FXD, and what appears to be a re-worked strap. The single pass hook and loop unit remains, but the teeth of the ‘hook’ portion are much more robust than the almost soft to the touch unit found on the original. There’s also a beefed up threaded end to the strap that’s done in red thread, making removing the strap a bit more difficult, which in turn means it will remain affixed to the watch under duress. 

Overall, if you liked the original FXD, there’s a good chance you’ll find a lot to love here. Save for one small, but potentially upsetting detail. As mentioned, this watch was done for the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team, and as such, they’ve applied that label to the very top section of the chapter ring on the rehaut. The label takes the place of otherwise vital minute and second markings on both watches, particularly on the chronograph, which uses a timing seconds hand that is now rendered useless between the :50 and :10 markings. I never found the label all that distracting, and I also don’t use the timing function of my chronographs all that much, but I also have no affinity for the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team. I’m sure they’re nice and talented fellows, but I just don’t follow yacht racing in general, so the labeling falls into slightly annoying territory, as I am a big fan of the FXD.

The biggest takeaway here might just be that Tudor is now in the carbon composite game, and how that may manifest across other watches and collections moving ahead. It’s not a surprising move, but doesn’t feel like a one-off kind of decision. Then again, I’ve been wrong (many times) before about this stuff, so best to wait and see. 

The Tudor FXD Alinghi Red Bull Racing watches are available from Tudor retailers and boutiques. The FXD is priced at $3,675, while the FXD Chronograph is priced at $5,075. Tudor