The Dakar Rally began in 1979 as a motorsport competition linking the French capital to Dakar, Senegal. From the very beginning, it has proven to be one of the most extreme, prestigious and respected competitions in the world.
In 2009, for security reasons, the event moved to South America, passing through Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, before landing in 2020 in Saudi Arabia, where it is still held.
This rally not only tests drivers of cars and motorcycles, but also several other categories such as trucks, quads and Side-by-Side Vehicles, in a real race against time but also against nature, subjecting drivers to high physical and mental stresses.
From the next edition of the legendary rally, which kicks off next January 2025, Tudor will join the historic and exciting sand competition as official timekeeper.
Tudor and the Dakar Rally
The link between the worlds of motors and hands, seemingly so distant but always strongly linked, is strengthened today thanks to a new agreement between the Dakar Rally and Tudor, announced ahead of the 2025 edition of the competition.
The race will start on January 3, 2025 and will run over a two-week duration, starting in Bisha and ending in Shubaytah, two locations located in Saudi Arabia.
The competition will follow the “rally raid” format, which involves the exclusive use of a roadbook containing a map of the route. Teams will have to traverse rugged terrain, also tackling some special tests along the way. Timekeeping, a crucial element for a race of this magnitude, will consider both the overall times of the route and those of specific tests, such as the 48H Chrono and the Marathon stage, and will be managed for the first time by Tudor.
With this partnership, Tudor consolidates its role in the world of sports, and particularly in the motorsports sector, having already signed a partnership with the Visa Cash App Racing Bull team earlier this year.
The watch chosen as the symbol of the event was the Ranger, which in its version with a NATO strap adopts a sporty look, ideal for tackling the dunes of Saudi Arabia. However, it would not be surprising if in the coming weeks the brand decides to present a dedicated model, as has already happened with the Chrono Cycling Edition or the ceramic version of the Black Bay, made for the Formula 1 team.
Conclusion
As mentioned, with this partnership between Tudor and the legendary Dakar Rally, it reinforces the Geneva-based maison’s role in the watchmaking scene, confirming that its connection to the world of sports can drive innovation and create new models that literally blow collectors’ minds.
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