Published on April 9th, 2015 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
0Tudor debuts steel Fastrider Chrono
First created in 2011, the Fastrider collection represents a partnership between Tudor and Ducati. In 2013, Tudor launched the Fastrider Black Shield which is a matte black ceramic chronograph that was designed in conjunction with a customized version of the Ducati Diavel. For 2015, Tudor has created the Fasterider Chrono which has the same dimensions, design and movement as the Black Shield, but instead of all black ceramic, the case is crafted of 316L steel with a ceramic bezel.
The Fastrider Chrono was designed to coordinate with the look of various Scrambler motorcycles (originally produced in the 1960s) that were recently resurrected by Ducati. Accordingly, there are three dial variations that match the bikes: bright yellow, olive green and red.
The Fastrider Chrono case measures 42 mm in diameter, just like the Black Shield. And while the design and dimensions are the same, the steel case and new dials, create an entirely new aesthetic.
The steel Fastrider Chrono is slightly heavier than the ceramic Black Shield, but it’s a trade-off we think is well worth it when you consider that the entry price is lower, not to mention the beautiful juxtaposition of steel and ceramic.
Apart from the polished and skeletonized, ruthenium treated hour, minute and chronograph second hands and the facetted, polished applied hour indices – everything on the chronograph has a matte or brushed finish.
A flat sapphire crystal protects the dial, with a steel screwed-in caseback. The crown screws-down and features what Tudor refers to as a “double waterproofness system,” resulting in a water-resistance rating of 150 meters.
The pushers have an angular shape that recalls the body of the motorcycle. At 9 ‘clock on the caseband is a flat, matte black PVD rapid date corrector that requires an the included Tudor tool to set.
The dial, is available in matte finished bright yellow (Ducati’s iconic color), olive green or Ducati red. The black flange features black minute graduations and black luminous hour dots. The hour markers are black and have been applied, including a black Tudor logo at 12 o’clock. “TUDOR GENEVE” is printed in black just below 12.
The chronograph counters (30-minute counter at 3 o’clock) and 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock), as well as the small seconds display at 9 o’clock), feature black rings with grey printed scales and ruthenium treated guilloche subdials. A circular aperture in between 4 and 5 o’clock indicates the date.
Powering the Fastrider Chrono is the same movement used in the Black Shield Chrono, an ETA 7753, which is self-winding with a mono-directional rotor system. The 27 jewel movement beats at 4Hz and has a maximum power reserve of 46-hours.
The Tudor Fastrider Chrono comes with your choice of black leather or black rubber, with a folding clasp and safety catch. The retail price starts from USD4,100.