Featherweigth Champions, 5 Of The Best Carbon Fibre Watches On The Market

Over the past couple of weeks, we looked at a whole bunch of things for our weekly Buying Guide, including several types of materials that would be ideal for summer watches. Now that the peak of the sunshine season is pretty much behind us, it doesn’t hurt to once again turn to materials as the topic of choice. Although we aimed at watches that would be perfect in hot conditions, there’s no saying they’re any less good in colder times of the year, right? With that said, we turn to carbon, with five of the sportiest, sleekest and downright coolest watches that use carbon in one way or another, available on the market now!

Tudor black bay chronograph carbon 25

Solidifying its ties to Formula 1 and the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team, Tudor released the Black Bay Chronograph Carbon 25 earlier this year. Relying on its stout Black Bay Chronograph, it’s only natural to use carbon fibre in such a heavily motorsport-inspired watch. The case is entirely crafted from the lightweight material, and it also finds its way to the chronograph subdials. The dial itself is stark white with blue details, taking on the team’s colours for this season. A cool touch is the use of carbon endlinks for the hybrid-leather strap, closing the gap between strap and case. Only 2,025 will be made, for a price of EUR 7.400.

For more information, please visit TudorWatch.com.

Quick Facts – 42mm x 14.3mm – carbon fibre case – black crown & pushers – sapphire crystal – solid caseback with F1 car decoration – 200m water-resistant – VCARB white & blue dial – black carbon fibre chronograph subdials & date frame – black outlined markers & hands with SLN – Calibre MT5813 (Breitling B01 base) – automatic winding – 28,800vph – 70h power reserve – hybrid leather-rubber strap with pin buckle – limited to 2,025 pieces – EUR 7,400

ulysse nardin diver (air)

One of the biggest benefits of carbon fibre as a material is its combination of rigidity and low weight, which is useful in watches to create something ultra-robust and lightweight. When paired with titanium and Nylo-Foil and fitted with an ultralight skeletonised movement, you end up with the featherweight Ulysse Nardin Diver (Air). At only 52 grams with the strap included, it’s said to be the world’s lightest diver on the market. Plus, with UN’s striking Diver looks, it seems perfectly suited for both the boardwalk and the ocean itself. It’s not limited by number, comes on an orange or white elastic fabric strap with a scratch closing, and costs EUR 38,400.

For more information, please visit Ulysse-Nardin.com.

Quick Facts – 44mm x 14.7mm – titanium, Nylo-Foil & carbon fibre case – 52 grams, including strap – sapphire crystal front & back – unidirectional rotating bezel – 200m water-resistant – openworked dial – luminous markers & hands – Calibre UN-374, in-house automatic – skeletonised construction – 21,600vph – 90h power reserve – supplied with two straps; orange or white elastic textile strap with scratch-closing – EUR 38,400 (incl. VAT)

longines ultra-chron carbon

At the start of the year, Longines surprised us all with a carbon fibre rendition of the ultra-cool Ultra-Chron. Although it did in with the rotating bezel of the 1960s original and the 2022 revival model, it retained its retro good looks yet fitted into a very modern package. The muted look works well with the shape of the case, as it pairs a carbon fibre base with a fixed titanium bezel and matte black dial. Hiding under a solid titanium caseback is Longines’ hi-beat calibre L836.6, which beats at a rate of 36,000vph. Fitted to a black technical fabric strap with a titanium pin buckle, it’s part of the permanent collection and retails for EUR 5,540 incl. VAT.

For more information, please visit Longines.com.

Quick Facts – 43mm x 13mm – forged carbon fibre case – titanium crown & caseback – sapphire crystal – fixed bezel with 60-minute scale – matte anthracite dial with luminous markers & hands – Calibre L836.6, automatic – 5Hz high-beat frequency (36,000vph) – chronometer certified by TimeLab Geneva – silicon hairspring – 52h power reserve – black technical fabric strap with titanium pin buckle – permanent collection – EUR 5,450 (incl. VAT)

norqain wild one skeleton 39mm

Next on the list is a watch that doesn’t find its roots in history, racing or the ocean; the Norqain Wild One Skeleton 39mm. This high-performance ultra-light watch uses a relatively compact Norteq carbon composite outer case over a titanium movement barrel, with coloured rubber shock absorbers on the outside. Three come in black, with either Mint Green, Sky Blue or Hyper Pink details, and one comes in a purple hue for the case, with Purple Ice Blue details. The movement can be seen from both sides, and the mesh rubber strap matches in terms of colour. The series retails for EUR 5,390, or EUR 5,490 for the 400-piece Mint Green limited edition.

For more information, please visit Norqain.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 11.75mm – Norteq carbon composite case – Hyper Pink, Sky Blue, Mint (limited) & Purple Ice Blue rubber shock absorbers – sapphire crystal front & back – screw-down crown – 200m water-resistant – openworked dial – luminous markers & hands – Calibre N086, automatic (Sellita) – skeleton construction – 28,800vph – 41h power reserve – colour-matching mesh rubber strap with pin-buckle – EUR 5,390 or EUR 5,490 (Mint Green, 400 pieces)

Bianchet B1.618 Ultrafino carbon

Last on the list is Bianchet’s B1.618 Ultrafino Carbon. Pretty much as it says on the tin, the B1.618 Ultrafin Carbon is a full carbon fibre watch, with an impressively light and ultra-comfortable construction. The tonneau-shaped case, with signature coloured gasket, is fitted to a carbon fibre integrated bracelet and houses an automatic skeleton one-minute flying tourbillon movement that will keep running for 60 hours when fully wound. A pair of guards protect the crown, all in carbon fibre as well, and the watch is shock-resistant to 5,000G. With the carbon bracelet it weighs just 62 grams, and on rubber, it drops to 52 grams! The price is CHF 65.500 excl. VAT.

For more information, please visit Bianchet.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 47.39mm x 8.9mm – carbon fibre tonneau case with coloured gasket – 5,000g shock-resistant – sapphire crystal front & back – 50m water-resistant – openworked dial – applied markers & hands with SLN – UT01 automatic movement, proprietary – 21,600vph – 60h power reserve – one-minute flying tourbillon escapement – integrated carbon fibre bracelet or rubber strap with titanium folding clasp & quick-change system – CHF 65,500 (excl. VAT)