I’ll be honest with you. When I first saw the pictures of the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB, I didn’t really like it. The watch started out as a Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) Formula 1 team exclusive and is now available to the public. It’s often said that Tudor listened to enthusiasts and released it to the public, but is that really the case? Maybe the brand did. It’s fun to speculate on that, but the fact is that the watch is here and available to buy. But is it worth buying? Let me explain why I initially disliked it and how that changed after I got hands-on with the new race-inspired Black Bay Ceramic VCARB.
There are two reasons why I wasn’t a fan of the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB when I first saw it. The first is its color combination. It’s not that I dislike the black and blue combination. In fact, I strongly believe that the blue and black color combination is great… but only when combined correctly. And that’s why I hesitated at first. The blue color, which referenced the VISA logo, looked too pale. The deep black shade of the ceramic case and the dull shade of the blue dial looked like a mismatch. But actually putting the watch on my wrist quickly proves me wrong. After all, it wasn’t pale blue at all.
Grumpy Old Man’s take on related marketing strategies
The second thing that always makes me frown is watches made in collaboration with a third party. I have heard that Tudor has recently conquered new territories through various partnerships in the sports world. This is a great marketing strategy to expose the brand to more people and I truly hope it works out for Tudor. However, I am not interested in Tudor because of the brand’s partnerships. I love Tudor for what it is, not because of the third party collaborations. As a result, my first reaction is almost always hesitant because I don’t feel a connection with the collaboration partner. So why would I want to wear a watch that celebrates that partnership?
On top of that, the collaborative pieces that come out of these partnerships are often not great watches. They feel like a design construct that needs to integrate two identities, resulting in a product that feels more like a promotional tool than a beautiful watch. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the purpose. I also understand that my cranky purist views are not necessarily yours or the watch-buying public’s. After all, if these promotional tactics don’t work, the brands probably won’t continue to use them. But as I said before, this practice reinforces my initial hesitation to prefer products on principle. Tudor has so many other great watches that I love that I have no interest in the brand’s collaborative editions.
Tudor’s designers know what they’re doing
But you can’t blame Tudor’s designers for knowing their craft perfectly well: collaborations like the Black Bay Ceramic VCARB, the Pelagos FXD Chrono made for the Tudor Pro Cycling Team, and the Pelagos FXD series for the Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team have refrained from overdoing it on design.
It doesn’t try to incorporate any of the dual branding or identity details that often result in garish versions of the original watches. And that’s where the Black Bay Ceramic VCARB gets a lot more interesting! So, enough of the cranky old man ramblings and my initial reservations about this watch. As always, you never know until you taste it.
More about the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB
Let’s start with the specs: the Black Bay Ceramic VCARB features a 41mm black ceramic case that’s 14.4mm thick, 50mm long, and water resistant to 200m – this is the same case as the first Black Bay Ceramic model that we’ve featured many times on Fratello.
The case is primarily brushed with a polished bevel for added visual appeal. The unidirectional 60-minute bezel is made from stainless steel with a black PVD coating and features a brushed sunburst black ceramic insert with engraved numerals and markings.
The case and bezel are matched with a beautiful blue dial that is much more appealing in person than in press photos. The shade of blue is much darker and more stylish than I would have expected. The dial is contrasted with black applied hour markers filled with white Super-LumiNova, a white minute track, and a white dial. The distinctive Tudor hands are also finished in black and filled with white Super-LumiNova that glows green in the dark.
Overall, the dial matches well with the black case, and the color combination of the two straps that come with the watch is also carried over. The first is a leather-covered rubber strap with blue stitching, and the second is a black fabric strap with a blue stripe down the middle. Both options match the watch well. Of the two, I prefer the look of the rubber strap as it suits the style and chunky profile of the watch better. However, the fabric strap sits more comfortably on the wrist, so Tudor offers two great options.
COSC certified caliber MT5602-1U
Inside the case is the Kenissi automatic caliber MT5602-1U. The Master Chronometer movement is black and has a more intricate finish than the brand’s regular movements. This is because Tudor has also opted for a display caseback, allowing the black movement to lend a subtle presence to the backside. The caliber operates at 28,800vph and has a power reserve of 70 hours.
Technically, this watch is similar to the first version. What’s really new is the dial color, which creates a completely different aesthetic. So how does it translate on the wrist? I had a chance to find out. Will this watch help me cast aside the misgivings I had at the beginning?
Wearing a Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB
I received the Black Bay Ceramic VCARB on a fabric strap. It’s very comfortable and a great sporty option. While I prefer the heavy look of other straps, I enjoyed wearing a watch on a fabric strap. It makes more presence on the wrist than the all-black version.
This watch caught my eye immediately because of 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? I don’t think so, but you have to keep in mind that it’s a reference to the Visa logo. It matches surprisingly well.
Plus, if you’re just wearing the watch, the VCARB connection quickly becomes irrelevant. Once I got past the marketing collaboration that prompted this release, I came to appreciate this watch for what it is: a surprisingly fresh interpretation of the Black Bay Ceramic. Thanks to the ceramic case, the watch is also comfortable to wear. That said, I was repeatedly reminded that at 14.4mm, it’s chunky for a relatively simple three-hand watch.
It didn’t help that I knew how much effort Tudor had already put into optimizing the regular stainless steel version of the 41mm Black Bay, but it’s easy to see how a lightweight version would be ideal for the Formula 1 version of the Black Bay, and not only that, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of wearing the watch at all.
Final Thoughts on the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB
In the end, the idea that this was a collaboration piece with an F1 team never completely disappeared from my mind. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, for fans who know that this is a Black Bay made for the VCARB team, this is a very cool watch. And for those who don’t, this is a remarkable version of the Black Bay Ceramic. Based on its visual presence, this is a watch that you will simply love or hate. And what about those, like me, who know about this collaboration but aren’t interested? Well, you probably wouldn’t even consider buying such a watch in the first place. I wouldn’t. But I’m sure there are plenty of fans who would love and buy the €5,200 Black Bay Ceramic VCARB.
The VCARB connection does not take away from the fine workmanship that Tudor’s design team has created. The black and blue combination is not that common, so it stands out immediately. I like that about this watch. If you wear this watch, it will catch your eye again and again. Overall, I think Tudor has done a good job with this new Black Bay Ceramic VCARB. It is a great choice not only for VCARB F1 fans, but also for the “regular” watch enthusiast who likes this color combination. This has significantly broadened the customer base of the watch, which has grown respectably. Tudor is focused on expanding its range with collaborative pieces that respect the brand and its designs. From that perspective, this watch was a pleasant surprise addition to the Tudor collection.
For more information, check out Tudor’s official website Let us know what you think of the new Tudor Black Bay Ceramic VCARB in the comments section below.
