Review
CaliforniaJed shares his unexpected journey to acquiring the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield. Initially skeptical of black-cased watches and brand tie-ins, his hands-on experience at a dealer completely shifted his perspective, leading to an impulsive and satisfying purchase. His detailed account highlights the importance of experiencing a watch in person, especially when initial impressions from photos might be misleading.
Ah, yes, the other version. I was immediately attracted to the beefy matte black ceramic case and bezel of the Black Shield, despite all the red. And right next to this black and red beast in the display case was the lesser photographed version, with bronze markers and a nicely sueded brown strap on a sturdy black deployant. There was still a touch of red on the dial, just enough, the large seconds counter, to form a nice, subtle nod to racing and to Ducati. And it contrasted very nicely against the black dial and the bronze markers.
I tried it on. It was thick, and large, 42mm. It was a black and tan, monster of a Daytona (minus the Rolex movement and minus more than half the price, too), and it looked and felt damn good! Really good! And I didn’t take it off (except to remove the annoying plastic protective seals) until I got home! It was an impulsive purchase that was amazingly easy to make.
Pictures and details follow. This one is worth a look if you find yourself at a Tudor dealer!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
Here is a little from Tudor on the case:
The TUDOR Fastrider Black Shield’s monobloc case in matte black ceramic is an archetype in its genre. What makes it so special? Not only is it fashioned using nothing but high-tech injected ceramic – not ceramic applied to another material as a coating – but it is also made entirely in one process. The whole case is produced as a single piece – a unique operation for watches in this segment. In addition to the noble aesthetics of this chronograph, the extremely complex procedure adopted for its manufacture – a result of technological expertise acquired in perfecting the bezel for the Pelagos line – ensures that both the middle case and bezel are exceptionally reliable and resistant.
TUDOR develops for the first time a case completely fashioned in high-tech injected ceramic. The whole case of the Fastrider Black Shield is produced as a single piece – a unique operation for watches in this segment. The ceramic is virtually impervious to scratches, and its color is unaffected by ultraviolet rays. The result is, naturally, quite out of the ordinary, powerful and unique. The manufacture of the bezel and the case is carried out in-house. The brand has installed the exclusive equipment required to perfectly master the quality of the final product in conformity with its stringent specifications. The basic ceramic material is a very fine zirconium dioxide powder, whose particles are less than one micron (one-thousandth of a millimeter) in diameter. The powder, white at the outset, is mixed with both a binding agent that allows it to be moulded and pigments that will give the final desired color. The raw material is shaped by high-pressure moulding. At this point, it has very low resistance. The components are then heat treated in furnaces. The first stage eliminates the binding agent. From the second firing at 1,500 °C (2,700 °F), or sintering, the ceramic
acquires its definitive hardness and mechanical resistance. Its resistance after the sintering is akin to that of steel, but its hardness is much greater. During firing and sintering, the piece contracts by approximately 25 percent and acquires its final color. Final precision machining gives each piece its definitive shape and size for assembly. As the material has now acquired its characteristic hardness, this operation requires the use of diamond tools. Throughout the production process, the ceramic undergo numerous quality controls to check the precision of their geometry, their mechanical properties and their color. In addition to the noble aesthetics of this chronograph, the extremely complex procedure adopted for its manufacture ensures that both the middle case and bezel are exceptionally reliable and resistant.
Details on this version of the watch:
Ref. 42000CN (The other Black Shield is Ref. 42000CR.)
42 mm matte black ceramic case with bead-blasted finish and mono bloc middle case
Fixed matte black ceramic bezel with engraved tachymetric scale
Self-winding mechanical chronograph movement, TUDOR caliber 7753, Power reserve of approximately 46 hours
Screw-down winding crown in black PVD-treated steel, engraved with TUDOR logo
Chronograph pushers in black PVD-treated steel at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock
30-minute totalizer at 3 o’clock and 12-hour totalizer at 6 o’clock
Small seconds hand at 9 o’clock
Date at 4:30
Rapid date corrector with PVD shield motif at 9 o’clock on the middle case
Sapphire crystal with a black seal
Waterproof to 500 ft (150 m)
Alcantara® or rubber strap with folding clasp and safety catch in black PVD-treated steel
Some technical details of the movement:
Total diameter: 30.40 mm
Thickness: 7.90 mm
Jewels: 27
Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour
Power reserve: ~46 hours
I am positively impressed by the Tudor offers from these past years. The Heritage Family, then products like this Black Shield ( it is better to avoid using the initials, on this last one. ;) ), yes, Tudor has a wide and interesting offer. Kudos to them. I am more interested by their Heritage line, to say all, with a special mention for the Black Bay, or the Tribute to Monte Carlo. Congrats, my friend, and thanks for such a superb article. All the best Nicolas
More on that another day! Best, CaliforniaJed
...left my wallet black/blue!
How does the ceramic feel? Lighter than steel I would assume. I agree with Nicolas, Tudor is really making some great watches. Congrats on your pick-up!
It is an intriguing watch I am enjoying getting to know! Best, CaliforniaJed
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