I finally got myself a Tudor chronograph with the Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition.

Over the past few years, I’ve been methodically curating my Tudor collection, prioritizing versatility and functionality. It began with the Black Bay (3-hand, stainless steel), a quintessential dive watch that balances heritage design with modern reliability. Its sunburst black dial and gilt accents became a daily staple. Next came the Pelagos (3-hand, date, titanium), a technical marvel with its lightweight titanium case, helium escape valve, and luminescent matte dial—perfect for deeper dives and extended wear. The Black Bay Pro (3-hand, date, GMT, stainless steel) followed, offering a rugged travel companion with its practical GMT function and bold yellow accents. Despite this growing lineup, one complication remained absent: a chronograph.

Tudor’s chronograph options are split between the Black Bay and Pelagos lines, each with distinct personalities. The Black Bay Chrono leans into vintage aesthetics with its panda dials and domed sapphire crystal, while the Pelagos FXD series embraces a more avant-garde, tool-watch ethos. My research kept circling back to the Pelagos FXD, specifically its fixed lug design and its case crafted from carbon composite and titanium. This material combination not only reduces weight but also enhances durability, resisting corrosion and scratches far better than traditional metals.

Another deciding factor was the collection’s balance. The existing Pelagos and Black Bay Pro already cover diving and GMT needs, so the FXD Chrono’s sporty character filled a gap perfectly. The fixed lugs, while limiting strap customization, reinforce the watch’s purpose-built identity, and the cycling-themed case-back engraving adds a touch of storytelling I couldn’t resist.

Securing the watch felt like a small victory. After weeks of contacting authorized dealers, I found one willing to offer a competitive discount, rare for a model with such niche appeal. 

 

The Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition boldly merges carbon composite material with titanium elements, anchored by the FXD’s signature fixed lug bars, a design born from military-grade durability requirements. Its lightweight carbon case, a hallmark of modern engineering, is paired with a domed sapphire crystal that adds vintage-inspired depth to the rugged, sport-ready profile. Measuring 43.0 mm in diameter and 13.2 mm in thickness (including the crystal’s curvature), the watch strikes a balance between wrist presence and wearability, while the 22.0 mm fixed lugs reinforce its purpose-built ethos. Pump-style chronograph pushers and a screw-down crown, protected by angular titanium guards, flank the right side of the case, blending tactile functionality with the watch’s aggressive, technical aesthetic. Every detail here feels intentional, merging Tudor’s tool-watch DNA with cutting-edge materials to create a chronograph that’s as resilient as it is visually striking.

 

Its lug-to-lug dimensions is approximately 51.0 mm if you measure the lugs directly before they extend into the bars. Additionally, while its carbon composite material helps to reduce weight, the Cycling Edition still uses one of the brand’s standard automatic chronograph movements, and it weighs more than other carbon-cased watches at approximately 71 grams (this includes the strap). 

Despite its size, the carbon case wears comfortably on most wrists. The fixed lugs hug the strap snugly, preventing slippage during movement. The tachymeter bezel and chronograph add utility without cluttering the dial, though the watch’s thickness may challenge slim sleeves. The fixed lug bar system reinforces strap security, a nod to Tudor’s nautical heritage, though it limits aftermarket strap options.

 

 

Aside from being black, white, and red (the official colors of the Tudor Pro Cycling Team), the dial of the watch follows the same fundamental layout of a typical bi-compax chronograph: sub-dials at 9:00 (sub-seconds) and 3:00 (45-minute chronograph counter) and a date aperture at 6:00. The watch has an enlarged chapter ring that contains a tachymeter scale calibrated for cycling speeds. It has square-shaped hour markers and snowflake hands that are characteristic of Tudor’s Pelagos collection. Additionally, the applied hour markers are crafted from solid blocks of a luminous ceramic composite material and all of the hands and indexes emit a strong aqua-blue-colored glow in the dark.

 

Protecting the dial is a domed sapphire crystal which adds to the total height of the watch (see below). Visually, the edge of the crystal is slightly above the fixed bezel. This increases the potential of side-impact damage to the crystal. Meanwhile, the crown and pushers are located on the right of the casing (see above).  The titanium screw-down crown with the TUDOR shield in relief and titanium direct-action pushers are easily accessible. The pushers have a positive feel to it when engaged.

 

Paired with the watch is a black jacquard-woven fabric strap that features a simple pass-through design to accommodate the fixed bars between the lugs. Unlike most Pelagos FXD models that are paired with a strap that fastens with a hook-and-loop closure Velcro system, the strap for the Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition features a more traditional design with two free-floating metal keepers and a chunky tang-style buckle that is signed with the brand’s shield logo. To match the watch casing, the buckle and keepers are given a black plating.

 

The jacquard-woven fabric strap employs a deceptively straightforward pass-through design, yet its textured surface (visible in the image) adds an unexpected layer of practicality. The intricate weave creates a subtle tactile grip, ensuring the strap stays securely anchored to the wrist without the need for bulky keepers or adhesives. Its structured ridges and valleys, a byproduct of the jacquard technique, resist slippage while maintaining a sleek, low-profile silhouette that complements the watch’s sporty character. It’s a thoughtful fusion of form and function, proving that even minimalist designs can deliver uncompromising performance through meticulous material craftsmanship.

 

The solid screw-down case-back is painted black. Although there is now information about the material used for the case-back, as titanium is used for the crown and pushers, it is safe to assume the same for the case-back. As this watch will be used by cyclists that tend to sweat a lot, using a material with hypoallergenic properties does make sense. 

 

Underneath the case-back is is the Caliber MT5813 automatic movement. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 BPH or 4 Hz, it has a power reserve of 70 hours. The Caliber MT5813 operates with a column wheel and a vertical clutch, and it also includes a silicon hairspring for additional resistance to magnetism and temperature fluctuations. As an official COSC-certified chronometer, the movement has an accuracy within the standards of -4/+6 seconds per day. For Tudor, they have tuned the watch to have an accuracy of between -2 to +4 seconds per day.

 

Engineered for versatility, the watch boasts a dive-ready 100-meter water resistance rating, making it suitable for swimming, snorkeling, or enduring sudden downpours without compromise. Its robust sealing and screw-down components ensure reliability in wet conditions, while the photo below highlights another critical feature: its luminescent markers. Charged by light, these markers glow with striking intensity in darkness, their blue-green emission cutting through low-light scenarios with precision. The lume isn’t just functional, it’s artfully integrated, coating hands and indices to maintain readability in any environment. This harmony of practicality and aesthetics ensures the watch isn’t just a tool for adventure, but a beacon of clarity when the lights go down.

 

 

The Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition delivers a purpose-driven wearing experience tailored for active lifestyles. Crafted in lightweight carbon composite case, it sits comfortably on the wrist, minimizing fatigue during long rides or dynamic movements. The fixed lugs and robust fabric strap ensure a secure, stable fit, ideal for high-intensity cycling. The chronograph function, with crisp, tactile pushers, offers precise timing for intervals or splits, complemented by a highly legible dial featuring bold markers and luminous accents for low-light visibility. A seamless blend of functionality and durability, this watch excels as a reliable companion for cyclists and adventurers alike. Below is a short video of the watch on my wrist.

 

Case Material: Black carbon composite case with matte finish
Width: 43.0 mm 
Lug-to-Lug Length: 50.5 mm
Lug Width: 22.0 mm

Thickness: 13.2 mm

Weight: 71 gm

Crown: Titanium screw-down crown with the TUDOR shield in relief and titanium direct-action pushers

Bezel: Titanium fixed bezel with 60-minute scale

Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal

Dial: Matte black, red accents on the chronograph counters and tachymeter scale

Hands: Snowflake hands and square markers in luminescent ceramic composite
Bracelet: Single-piece black Jacquard-woven technical fabric strap with blacken signed pin-buckle

Water Resistance: 100 m (330 ft)
Movement: Calibre MT5813 (Breitling base), automatic column-wheel and vertical clutch chronograph

Certification: Chronometer certified by COSC

Power Reserve: 70-hours 

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 BPH) with variable inertia balance and non-magnetic silicon balance spring

Jewels: 41 

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds (hacking), date and chronograph with central seconds and minute counter

Launch Year: 2024