Hands-On With The Suprising Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB
I’m going to be upfront. I was not a fan when I first saw pictures of the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB. The watch started as an exclusive for the Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) Formula 1 team and has now been made available to the public. People love to say that Tudor listened to the enthusiasts’ call to make it a general release, and who knows? Maybe the brand has. It’s nice to speculate about that, but the fact is that it’s here, and you can buy it. But is it worth buying? Let me explain where my initial aversion came from and how that changed by simply spending time with this new racing-inspired Black Bay Ceramic VCARB.
There are two very simple reasons why I wasn’t a fan of the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB when I first laid eyes on it. The first was its combination of colors. It’s not that I do not like black and blue together. In fact, I firmly believe in a blue and black color combo…but only if done right. And that’s where my initial hesitation came from. The blue color, which references the Visa logo, just seemed too pale. The ceramic case’s deep black shade and the blue dial’s seemingly faded hue looked like a mismatch. However, it’s easy to be proven wrong when you have a chance to see a watch on your wrist. As it turns out, it wasn’t a pale blue at all.
A grumpy old man’s views on relevant marketing tactics
The second thing that will always make me raise an eyebrow is a watch created with a third party. I understand that Tudor conquered new territory recently through different partnerships in the world of sports. It’s a good marketing tactic to expose more people to the brand, and I genuinely hope it works for Tudor. However, I am not into Tudor because of the brand’s partnerships. I like Tudor for itself, not its affiliation with third parties. Consequently, my initial reaction will almost always be steeped in hesitance because of a connection that I do not feel to a collaborative partner. So why would I want to wear a watch celebrating that partnership?
On top of that, the collaborative efforts that sprout from these partnerships often are not great watches. They feel like design constructs in which two identities need to be integrated, leading to products that feel like promotional tools rather than beautiful watches. Don’t get me wrong; I understand their purpose. And I also understand that my grumpy purist views are not necessarily yours or that of the wider watch-buying public. After all, if these promotional tactics didn’t work, brands probably would not continue to use them. As I said, though, this practice fuels an initial hesitation for me to like a product based on principle. Tudor also has plenty of other great watches that I adore, so the brand’s collaborative editions are not something I get wound up about at all.
The Tudor designers know what they’re doing
But you can’t fault the Tudor designers for understanding their craft perfectly. Collaborative efforts like the Black Bay Ceramic VCARB, the Pelagos FXD Chrono created for the Tudor Pro Cycling Team, and the Pelagos FXD series for the Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team refrain from excessive design exercises.
They haven’t tried to incorporate dual branding or identity details that often lead to a flashier version of the original watch. And that’s where this Black Bay Ceramic VCARB gets a lot more interesting! So that’s enough of the ramblings of a grumpy old man and the initial reservations I had about the watch. The proof of the pudding, as always, is in the eating.
The specifics of the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB
Let’s first talk specs. The Black Bay Ceramic VCARB has a 41mm black ceramic case that is 14.4mm thick and 50mm long with a 200m depth rating. It is the same case that we know from the inaugural Black Bay Ceramic model that we discussed multiple times here on Fratello.
This case has a predominantly brushed finish with polished bevels to add some visual zing. The unidirectional 60-minute bezel is made from stainless steel and has a black PVD coating. It features a black ceramic insert with a brushed sunray finish and engraved numerals and markings.
The case and bezel are matched with a nice blue dial that is much more appealing in real life than in the press pictures. Its blue shade is darker and a lot more stylish than I could have imagined. The dial is contrasted by black applied hour markers filled with white Super-LumiNova, a white minute track, and white text. The characteristic Tudor handset is also executed in black and filled with white Super-LumiNova that lights up green in the dark.
Overall, the dial is a great match for the black case, and the color combination also continues on the two straps that come with the watch. The first is a leather-covered rubber strap with blue stitching, while the second is a black fabric strap with a blue stripe in the middle. Both options complement the watch quite nicely. Out of the two, I prefer the rubber strap visually as it fits the style and chunky profile of the watch better. However, the fabric strap is more comfortable on the wrist, so Tudor gives you two great options.
The COSC-certified caliber MT5602-1U
Inside the case, you will find the Kenissi-produced automatic caliber MT5602-1U. The Master Chronometer movement is blacked out and features a more elaborate finish than the brand’s regular movements. This is because Tudor also opted for a display case back, and the black movement gives the backside a stealthy presence. This caliber operates at 28,800vph and offers a healthy 70 hours of power reserve.
Technically, the watch is similar to the first version. The truly new thing is the dial color, which creates a completely different aesthetic. So, how does that translate to the wrist? I had the opportunity to find out. Could the watch make me abandon my initial reservations?
Wearing the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB
We received the Black Bay Ceramic VCARB on the fabric strap. It’s a great, sporty option that is super comfortable. While I do prefer the visual mass that the other strap offers, I had fun wearing the watch on the fabric strap. Once on the wrist, the watch has a lot more presence than the all-black version.
This one immediately drew my eyes to the blue dial. And as I said, it’s a beautiful shade of blue. Is it the ideal shade of blue to match the black case? While I don’t think so, we have to keep in mind that it references the Visa logo, and it is a surprisingly good match.
Additionally, the VCARB connection quickly becomes less important when just wearing the watch. Once I got past the marketing collaboration that initiated this release, I started appreciating the watch for what it was — a surprisingly fresh take on the Black Bay Ceramic. Thanks to the ceramic case, this watch is also pleasant to wear. That said, I was reminded multiple times that a 14.4mm thickness is chunky for a relatively simple three-hand watch.
It didn’t help that I know how much effort Tudor has already put into optimizing the regular stainless steel version of the 41mm Black Bay. But it’s also easy to understand that a lightweight version is the way to go for a Formula 1 version of the Black Bay. On top of that, it did not take any of the fun away from wearing the watch.
Final thoughts on the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB
Ultimately, the idea that this is a collaborative effort with a Formula 1 team never completely faded from my mind. But it shouldn’t have to. The reality is that for fans who know it is a Black Bay created for the VCARB team, it is a very cool watch. And for those who don’t know, it’s a remarkable version of the Black Bay Ceramic. Based on its visual presence, it is simply a watch that you either like or don’t. And for those who know about the collaboration but are not interested in it, like me? Well, you probably would not consider buying a watch like this in the first place. I wouldn’t. But I am certain that there are a lot of fans who will love and buy the €5,200 Black Bay Ceramic VCARB.
The VCARB connection also doesn’t take anything away from the great execution that the Tudor design team created. The combination of black and blue is not too common, which makes it stand out immediately. I love that about the watch. It ensures that your eyes keep coming back to it if you wear it. All in all, I think Tudor did a great job creating this new Black Bay Ceramic VCARB. It’s a great pick for VCARB F1 fans as well as “regular” watch enthusiasts who just like this color combination. That broadens the buying audience of the watch significantly and respectably. Tudor focuses on expanding the range with collaborative pieces that respect the brand and its designs. In that light, this watch was a nice surprise addition to the Tudor collection.
For more information, visit the official Tudor website. Let us know your thoughts on the new Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB in the comments below.
